Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington Food Assistance Program in Need of Immediate Food Donations   

Need for Food Assistance Continues at High Levels Since the Onset of the Pandemic, While Food Donations Have Dropped 45 Percent 

ARLINGTON, Va. - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's St. Lucy Food Project, the food assistance program for the Diocese, has an immediate need for food donations. Despite the tremendous support from the community and parishes, food donations have dropped 45 percent, while the ongoing need for food assistance remains at the high levels seen since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The St. Lucy Food Project provides food to the communities through three Catholic Charities pantries-Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal, Christ House in Alexandria, and the Leesburg Regional Office in Leesburg-as well as some 57 parish, interfaith, community and government pantries within the 21 counties and seven cities which make up the Diocese.

“The number of families we are seeing who need food assistance increased rapidly during the pandemic, and we have not seen the need subside. The economic toll the pandemic continues to take on our communities is significant,” said Art Bennett, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. “We thank those who have given so generously over the last seven months, and now we urge anyone able to donate food, or funds to purchase food, do so in an effort to meet this pressing need.”

Food needs include non-perishables such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed or bagged cereal, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, cooking oil, bread, non-refrigerated juice, peanut butter, and canned chicken and fish/tuna. 

Donations can be made the following ways:

• Bring food to the St. Lucy Food Project warehouse, 8426-28 Kao Circle, Manassas, VA 20110, at a “no contact” bin 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Bring food to any of the Catholic Charities three food pantries during business hours: Christ House, 131 S. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314; Leesburg Regional Office, 316 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 ; or Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, 613 N. Royal Ave., Front Royal, VA 22630. Details here.
• Bring food to No Contact Food Drop Offs at local parishes. The next one takes place this Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Rd, Manassas, VA 20110.
• Order food from the Amazon wish list to send directly to the Manassas warehouse. https://www.ccda.net/SLPAmazonWishList
• Mail a check donation payable to CCDA with St. Lucy Project on the memo line to Catholic Charities 8426-28 Kao Circle, Manassas, VA 20110.
• Donate online at https://secure.ccda.net/Give/Give/Donate/Giving.aspx.

Since March, the St. Lucy Food Project has distributed 935,464 pounds of food to more than 14,500 people through the 60 food pantries throughout the Diocese. Catholic Charities partnered with 47 parishes in the Diocese to host No Contact Friday Food Drop Offs or parish food drives during weekend Masses.

“The reality we are facing is that our warehouse is nearly empty,” said Vincent Cannava, program director St. Lucy Food Project. “Food is going out as fast as it is coming in. We ask everyone who is able to help to do so. We do not anticipate the need for food decreasing anytime soon.”

For more information on the St. Lucy Food Project, visit https://www.ccda.net/give-help/donate-and-distribute-food/.

Interested media, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves the poor and vulnerable who live within the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington, which is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities provides food for the hungry, a free medical clinic for adults including prenatal care, adoption services, transformational housing for the homeless, mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance, prison ministry, workforce development, and immigration and refugee services. Catholic Charities serves all, regardless of faith.www.ccda.net.