Calling all volunteers. Short-term and long-term options!

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

October 8, 2013

VOLUNTEER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Saturday morning delivery to Courthouse Farmers Market
AFAC has a cooler at the farmers’ market so people can make produce donations. We need someone to deliver the cooler and a sign to the market at 8am this Saturday, Oct. 12. We already have someone to bring the cooler back to AFAC at the end of the market. If you can help, please email laura.jackson@afac.org.

Ride with driver to Courthouse Farmers Market this Saturday
Our volunteer driver needs help collecting produce donations at the market. You’ll meet at AFAC at 11:15 to ride in the AFAC van and be back by 12:45. Please email laura.jackson@afac.org if you can help.

HEALTH EDUCATION/COOKING DEMONSTRATION VOLUNTEERS

Want to interact with clients? Like to cook? Know anything about nutrition? Help with our health education and cooking demonstrations. Read the description here. Our theme for October is Whole Grains. Dates and times we need help are below. If you can help, please email mona.bormet@afac.org.

Wednesday, October 23rd from 9:30am-Noon. Spanish speakers needed.
Monday, October 28th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Thursday, November 7th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Thursday, November 7th from 6-8pm. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Friday, November 8th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Monday, November 25th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Tuesday, November 26th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.
Wednesday, November 27th from 9:30am-Noon. English and Spanish speakers needed.

DISTRIBUTION SUPERVISORS NEEDED FOR TUESDAY EVENINGS

AFAC plans to open a second evening for food distribution starting this November. We are looking for volunteers to serve as supervisors on Tuesday nights, 6:15-8:45pm, weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Year long commitment preferred. Spanish-speaking volunteers welcome. Read more – supervisor job description, evening distribution description. Email laura.jackson@afac.org to volunteer or with questions.

WEEKEND SUPERVISORS NEEDED

AFAC is looking for people willing to supervise other volunteers as they bag produce on weekend afternoons. AFAC receives thousands of pounds of beautiful produce donated by local farmers markets. Volunteers unload the produce from the van as it arrives, refresh and clean it, and then bag it for distribution to AFAC’s 1,500 client families. During the winter and early spring, weekend volunteers bag rice, oatmeal or purchased produce, sort food donations and do other tasks.

We are looking for volunteers who can make a commitment to help 1-2 times per month from May-December. Supervisor hours are noon-2:30 on Saturday or 1-3:30 on Sunday. Supervisors should be comfortable directing other volunteers. Training will be provided. For more information, contact Laura Jackson at laura.jackson@afac.org.

If you’re looking for a way to get more involved at AFAC and a way to help ensure that our clients have access to fresh, healthy produce, this is a great volunteer opportunity for you.

Do you have a Place at the Table?

September is Hunger Action Month: Check out all the fun happening during Hunger Action Month. Hope to see you around town – taking action!

Shred for Bread
Saturday, September 14th, 10am-1pm
Arlington Church of the Brethren (300 N. Montague Street). Free document shredding with non-perishable food or monetary donation. Sponsored by Ann Wilson of Keller Williams Realty.

null A Place at the Table
Sunday, September 15th, 6:30-8:30pm
Bethel UCC (4374 Arlington Blvd).
Watch this documentary on hunger in America and join our panelists (Charles Meng from AFAC, Mary Katherine D’Addario from Arlington County Department of Human Services, and Eric Mitchell from Bread for the World).
Admission: Monetary or non-perishable food donation.

Dogfish Head Alehouse
Tuesday, September 17th, 11:30am-11:00pm
Come for lunch, dinner, or happy hour with live music by Matt Waller; 20% of all food and bar proceeds will be donated to AFAC. We’ll be raffling off the chance to make your living room the best NFL spot on the block with a brand new 50-inch Toshiba LEDTV!

Sustainable Food Presentation
Thursday, September 19th, 7-8:30pm
Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St. S.)
Learn from Dr. Oran Hesterman from Fair Food Network about ideas for engaging local governments and institutions in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

BBQ
Saturday, September 21st, 8am-8pm
Walker Chapel BBQ and Bluegrass Festival. Enjoy beignets and coffee in the morning, live music from noon-6pm and plenty of BBQ. Proceeds benefit AFAC. Sign-up to help at the AFAC table via our online calendar.

AFAC Open House
Monday, September 23rd, 7-8pm
Come by AFAC headquarters at 2708 S. Nelson Street for a tour of our warehouse. RSVP to volunteer4afac@afac.org.

Wine & Cheese Tasting
Tuesday, September 24th from 6-8pm
Screwtop Wine Bar & Cheese Shop (1025 N. Fillmore St.)
$29.99 to taste 10 wines and cheese!
All proceeds donated to AFAC.
Registration Required.

Stuff the Bus
Friday, September 27th-Sunday, September 29th
Help us Stuff a Bus with 20,000 lbs of food donations at Giant (Lee Highway & Spout Run). Partners: Giant Food, Arlington Transit and National Express Corporation). Volunteers needed.

null Celebrate
Monday, September 30th, 3pm
Join AFAC and local officials to celebrate Hunger Action Month at AFAC.

Organize
Rally your neighborhood, faith community, business, or school and host a food drive for AFAC. 65% of food we distribute comes to AFAC from donations.

Glean
Help us harvest Saturday mornings at farms throughout the area. Sign-up via the online calendar. Contact volunteer4afac@afac.org with questions.

Please help us spread the word about Hunger Action Month by hanging some flyers up around town and sharing information via social media.

VOLUNTEER: Volunteers needed at the following events during Hunger Action Month (HAM)! Sign-up to help on the volunteer calendar.

Dogfish Head Alehouse
Tuesday, September 17th
One person needed in one or two hour shifts from 11:30am-9:30pm to help sell raffle tickets.

Penrose Square
Thursday, September 19th
Two people needed per shift to share information about AFAC and HAM: 6-7:30pm and 7:30-9pm. Live music starts at 6:30pm followed by the movie Toy Story.

Bluegrass Festival
Saturday, September 21st
Two people needed per shift to share information about AFAC and HAM: 2-4pm, 4-6pm and 6-8pm.

Clarendon Day
Saturday, September 28th
Two people needed per shift to share information about AFAC and HAM: 10am-Noon, Noon-2pm, and 4-6pm.

Stuff the Bus!
Friday, September 27th (10am-9pm), Saturday, September 28th (10am-6pm) and Sunday, September 29th (10am-6pm). Four people needed per two-hour shift to help collect donations.

Night Owl Driver needed on Monday nights: The Trader Joe’s in Bailey’s Crossroads generously donates produce and other items to AFAC on weekday nights. The pick-ups take place around 9:30pm. If you drive a big car, you can use your own vehicle; otherwise you will drive the AFAC van. Volunteers must be able to lift 30-40 pounds, be a licensed driver, and make a six month commitment. Please contact us at laura.jackson@afac.org if you can help on Monday nights on a bi-weekly basis. Chicken bagging volunteers needed each Wednesday, 6:30-7:30pm. Read more.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to Eli Karush for raising $559 for AFAC’s Emergency Food Kits (EFKs) as part of his Bar Mitzvah service project.

Singer/Skylar Family delivered their donations to AFAC via bike

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week: Arlington Central Library, Arlington Church of the Brethren, Arlington Democrats, Calvary United Methodist Church,
Central United Methodist Church, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Department of Army – SAAL- 2T, Department of Defense – Mark Center, Halstead Tower, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Rock Spring UCC, Sheraton Crystal City Hotel, OPM-FIS, Singer/Skylar Family, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, White House Communications Agency (DISA), Wildwood Towers, and Women’s Club of Arlington.

Susanna and Cindy show off sweet potato plants at Ft. Barnard straw bales garden

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated fresh produce from their gardens and markets: 10th & Barton Street Garden, Abindgon Elementary School, American Legion Garden, Arlington Central Library, Arlington Forest UMC, Arlington House – National Park Service, Ballston Farmers Market, Barrett Elementary School, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Courthouse Farmers Market, Crystal City Farmer Market, Episcopal High School, Ft. Barnard Community Garden, Glebe and Lang Street Community Garden, Helen Hensgen, Nancy Hyde, Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook, Ingrid Palmquist, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Rock Spring UCC, Barrett School, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, Thomas Jefferson Middle School garden, Westover Farmers Market, and Westover Library.

It’s Hunger Action Month 2013

Hunger Action Month

Check out all the fun happening during Hunger Action Month. Hope to see you around town – taking action!

null Glean
Help us harvest Saturday mornings and Wednesday, September 11th at farms throughout the area. Sign-up via our online calendar. Contactvolunteer4afac@afac.org with questions.

null A Place at the Table
Sunday, September 15th, 6:30-8:30pm
Bethel UCC (4374 Arlington Blvd).
Watch this documentary on hunger in America and join our panelists (Charles Meng from AFAC, Mary Katherine D’Addario from Arlington County Department of Human Services, and Eric Mitchell from Bread for the World). Admission: Monetary or non-perishable food donation.

Dogfish Head Alehouse
Tuesday, September 17th, 11:30am-11:00pm
20% of proceeds will be donated to AFAC – eat & drink all day to support AFAC. Raffle! Live music!

Sustainable Food
Thursday, September 19th, 7-8:30pm
Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St. S.)
Learn from Dr. Oran Hesterman from Fair Food Network about ideas for engaging local governments and institutions in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

AFAC Open House
Monday, September 23rd, 7-8pm
Come by AFAC headquarters at 2708 S. Nelson Street for a tour. RSVP to volunteer4afac@afac.org.

Celebrate
Monday, September 30th, 3pm
Join AFAC and local officials to celebrate Hunger Action Month at AFAC.

Organize
Rally your neighborhood, faith community, business, or school and host a food drive for AFAC. 65% of food we distribute comes to AFAC from donations.

Please help us spread the word about Hunger Action Month by hanging some flyers up around town and sharing information via social media.

Thank you!

Thank you to the National Guard for collecting 495 lbs of food donations as part of their Feds Feed Families food drive!

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week: Arlington Central Library, Bethel UCC, Iglesio Cristo Rey, National Science Foundation – Arlington, Our Savior Lutheran, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated fresh produce from their gardens and markets: 10th & Barton community garden, Ashlawn Elementary School, Ballston Farmers Market, Barrett Elementary School garden, Cherrydale United Methodist Church, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Courthouse Farmers Market, Crystal City Farmers Market, Ft. Barnard Community Garden, Darryl Hicks, George Laumann, Navy -Chief of Navy Personnel, Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook, Rock Spring Church, Andy Semmel, Society of St. Andrews, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Thomas Jefferson Middle School community garden, U.S. Coast Guard, Westover Farmers Market, and Westover Library.

null Thank you to all our health education volunteers for helping with our “healthy beverage” display this month. Other dates/times needed on the website.

New Distribution Site

Because of our supporters…

AFAC was able to open an additional distribution site in the 250 unit Woodland Hills apartment complex. This complex houses many area seniors and our presence increases their access to nutritious and health-conscience foods. With your help, AFAC is now distributing food at seven of Arlington’s low-income senior living centers.

Seniors are the fastest growing client population here at AFAC and make up 30% of the individuals in our care. The generous response to our Bob Cooper match campaign allows us to answer the increasing calls for our services. Woodland Hills and all of our other senior center distribution sites have been made possible because of our supporters’ dedication to our mission to help feed our neighbors in need. Thank you!

Thank you to Our Lady Queen of Peace, Kol Ami,and many other volunteers for going to USDA-Beltsville Agriculture Research Center these past two Saturdays to help harvest corn. We harvested 4,395 lbs of corn for AFAC clients! A big thank you to Don Weber, USDA researcher and AFAC volunteer (and his staffer Tony), for allowing AFAC to harvest from his research fields.

AFAC would like to recognize some special first-time donors. Jake and Charlie Herbst have been saving up their allowance and tooth fairy money for months, and thought that we would be able to help those less fortunate. (Their sister Rosie donated artwork.) We are grateful for these special young donors.

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week: Arlington Central Library, Arlington Dems, Grace Community Church, Gunston Middle School, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Shirlala, Shirlington Library, St. James Church, and AFAC’s Young Professionals.

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated fresh produce from their gardens and markets: 10th and Barton Street Community Garden, Arlington Central Library, Arlington House/National Park Service, Ballston Farmers Market, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Courthouse Farmers Market, Cultivating Thyme Farm, Episcopal High School, Fresh and Local CSA, Ft. Barnard Community Garden, Glebe Garden, Grace Community Church, James Green, Susan J. Howell, Lang Street Garden, Bennett Lincoln, Kathleen O’Brien, Potomac Overlook Organic Vegetable Garden, Mary Resnik, Rock Spring Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, Thomas Jefferson Garden, Charlie Well, USDA – Beltsville, Westover Library, and Woman’s Club of Arlington.

Meet Rosy B, an AFAC client

I found out about AFAC through my calligraphy work. I became interested in how it helped folks in the community in 2012. With the loss of one of my major calligraphy clients I found myself in an unexpected position. My sister and I own our home and have lived in Arlington for over 40 years but we found it very difficult to pay our real estate tax bills in addition to utilities, medicine and other expenses. As 2012 moved on, it became obvious that we had to pay those household bills first, and unfortunately, food became a second priority.

The money situation finally got so bad that by November 2012, we barely had a can of food in the cupboard nor a carton of milk. I investigated the criteria for The Arlington Food Assistance Center right before Thanksgiving and applied for acceptance at the Arlington Department of Human Services. The people at the Department were very courteous, efficient and knowledgeable, and soon I was in the AFAC program, choosing Gunston Community Center as my pickup location.

Upon my first visit to Gunston and AFAC, I did not know what to expect. I was a bit nervous and it was the Thursday night before Thanksgiving holiday. But I had no reason to be apprehensive because the folks distributing food there were gracious, helpful, witty and just generally nice to me, a newcomer! They asked me what I needed in the way of milk, bread, eggs, vegetables, fruit and canned goods and they helped me pack it all into my bags. They even had a BIG SURPRISE for all us, namely a Thanksgiving turkey! It was a very positive experience and I continued to go down to the center nearly every Thursday night after that until May 2012. I don’t know what I would have done without their help during a very difficult time in my life. I will always be grateful and supportive of their efforts and kind hearts.

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who supported AFAC at the County Fair. Special thanks to Julie Damore who painted the back drop for our photo booth.

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated fresh produce from their gardens and markets:

10^th & Barton Community Garden, Abingdon Elementary School, American Legion Post 139, Arlington Central Library, Arlington Forest UMC, Arlington House, Cherrydale United Methodist Church, Clarendon Presbyterian, Cultivating Thyme Farm, Dan Redmond, Episcopal High School, Faith Lutheran Church, Fort Barnard Community Garden, Glebe Community Garden, Grace Community Church, Jeff Brady, Potomac Overlook Garden, Rock Spring Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann’s Church, St. Stephen’s & St. Anges School, Susan Howell, Thomas Jefferson Middle School Garden, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and USDA South Farm. Special thanks to Woodbine Farm Market for donating 4028 lbs of peaches.

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week:

Arlington Central Library, Clarendon United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Macy’s Pentagon City, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Palantir Technologies, Shirlington Library, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Swanson Middle School’s Builders Club, and Whelan Family – Neighborhood Food Drive.

Pizza and Movie Night!

Pizza and Movie Night to Benefit AFAC and A-SPAN – TONIGHT. The Arlington Green Party will host a pizza and movie night on Wednesday, July 31st from 7-10pm at First Presbyterian Church: 601 N. Vermont St. The featured film will be “A Place at the Table,” which looks at American families facing food shortages. $5 donation requested.

Ballston Farmers Market: Help staff the AFAC table at the Ballston Farmers Market “Mega-Market” on Thursday, August 1st from 3-5pm and 5-7pm. We need volunteers at the AFAC booth who are comfortable talking about volunteer opportunities and how to access our services. If you can help, please email mona.bormet@afac.org.

Looking for a fun way to support AFAC this summer? Come down to Shirlington on Thursday evenings for music and wine-tasting. $5 for a wine tasting – all proceeds go to AFAC. Thursday, August 1st, features Ewabo (Steel Tropical Drums).Check out the full line-up here.

Harvesting Crops: As we reach the peak of the growing season, we will be gleaning on a regular basis. We intend to glean nearly every Saturday morning from now through November 2nd. We are almost always finished by noon. Gleaning is fun for the whole family and can be a nice way to show your children where their food is grown. However, it can be unpredictable since we depend upon the schedule of farmers, the weather, and crop availability. As opportunities become available, we will add them to ourvolunteer calendar. Please check it frequently as there can be lots of changes!

Stop and shop at the Virginia Square Giant (3450 Washington Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday from 12-4pm, drop off some needed food donations and say hello to AFAC’s Young Professionals who will be staffing the collection bins outside. Hunger does not take a break in the summer!

Garden Talks:

Every Wednesday evening at 7pm at Arlington Central Library. July 31st: Sampling vegetable recipes and dishes from around the world

Cooking with soybeans and corn: staple grains from two continents. Samples to taste!

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated fresh produce from their gardens and markets:

Abingdon Elementary School, American Legion Garden, Arlington Central Library, Arlington House, Ashlawn Elementary School, Ballston Farmers Market, Barrett Elementary School, Barton and 10th Street Garden, Randy Berger, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Courthouse Farmers Market, Crystal City Farmers Market, Cultivating Thyme Farm, Episcopal High School, Faith Lutheran Church, Kim Finan, Ft. Barnard Community Garden, Glebe Garden Club, Grace Community Church, Elizabeth Kailey, National Park Service, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Patrick Henry Elementary School, Potomac Overlook organic vegetable garden, Potomac Vegetable Farms, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Rock Spring Church, Andy Semmel, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, Thomas Jefferson Middle School garden, and Westover Farmers Market.

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drivesfor AFAC over the last week: Arlington Central Library, Arlington Dems, Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, Bella Vista Outreach Committee, Bethel UCC, Bon Air Baptist Church & Iglesia El Camino Youth Groups, Camp Rodef Shalom, Chesterbrook Swim Club, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, DARPA, Grace Community Church, Gunston Middle School, Mothers of North Arlington, National Park Service, Nextex Group, Overlee Community Association, Penrose Square 3rd Thursday, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Rock Spring Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, Walker Chapel UMC, Washington Golf and Country Club, Westover Baptist Church, and Whitmore Apartments.

Fort Barnard Garden Open House and Featured Volunteer – Dena Jones

Ft. Barnard Community Garden – Open House – Saturday, July 20th from 10am-1pm

In April 2013, the Ft. Barnard Community Garden was awarded a $4000 grant from the Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Fund. The Ft. Barnard grant supports a pilot project on behalf of AFAC and proposals suggested by the Arlington Urban Agriculture Citizen’s Task Force. In addition to improving the garden’s existing compost system and extending the gardening season, this project will test nomadic gardens on pallets and straw bale gardens to determine the appropriate soil medium and growing conditions. At the Open House, you can visit the Master Gardener help desk, see a demonstration on beekeeping, tour many different gardens and learn how the gardeners maintain their plots. The garden is located on Walter Reed Drive next to Fire Station #9. For further information, please see this flyer or contact Susanna McIlwaine: smcilwaine@verizon.net or Cindy Gossman: cindyjoyhuman@yahoo.com.

Featured Volunteer

AFAC is very thankful for the many ways in which volunteer Dena Jones contributes to AFAC. Dena is one of the two regular 2nd Thursday evening volunteer supervisors. She is also a weekend produce supervisor, and generally volunteers for 2 weekend produce bagging shifts per month (sometimes more). Thanks, Dena!

Lebanese Taverna Gives Back, Charlie on 94.7 Fresh FM, and more!

Eat for AFAC at Lebanese Taverna – Tuesday, July 16th.Join AFAC at Lebanese Taverna (Pentagon Row and Westover locations only) on Tuesday, July 16th – all day! Bring the flyer and show it to your server for AFAC to receive 20% of your bill. Can’t make it in person? Purchase a gift card on July 16th and use “AFAC” as your promo code. Help us spread the word by posting the flyer! If you can help distribute the flyer in Westover or Pentagon City, please email communications@afac.org.

Nominate AFAC: “WTOP Top 10” has nominations for Favorite Charity. Please consider going to their website and nominate AFAC by Friday!

Interview on 94.7 Fresh FM: Charles Meng was interviewed by Sarah Jacobs of 94.7 Fresh FM. It originally aired June 9, 2013 on “Fresh Perspectives” (94.7 Fresh FM) and streamed live on CBSDC.com. Check out the interview on AFAC’s YouTube page.

Charles Meng, AFAC's Executive Director - interviewed by 94.7 Fresh FM

Summer is the slowest time of year for food donations. Please consider grabbing some extra goodies to donate next time you are at the grocery store, hold a neighborhood food drive or a food drive at work or with a social group. More food drives ideas are available on our website. If you don’t have time to organize a food drive, consider donating via our Virtual Food Drive.

Help at Farmers’ Market Saturday. We’re looking for someone to ride along with our volunteer driver and pick-up produce from the Courthouse Farmers’ Market on July 13 and July 27, 11:15-12:45. Please email laura.jackson@afac.org if you can help.

3rd Thursdays at Penrose Square.Penrose Square (Columbia Pike and S. Barton Street) will host live music and a movie on July 18th, August 15th, and September 19th. Sign-up via the online calendar to help at AFAC’s booth to share info on AFAC with folks who pass by and also collect food donations.

Health Education/Cooking Demonstration Volunteers Needed. Do you like to cook? Interact with people? Share health information? Consider helping AFAC with our health education and cooking demonstrations on the following days/times at 2708 S. Nelson Street: July 11th, 19th, 23rd, and 29th. English and Spanish speakers needed. If you can help, please email mona.bormet@afac.org.

AFAC Story Corps.This year, our 25th, volunteers will be conducting interviews of long-time AFAC staff and volunteers to compile an oral history of our organization. These interviews will be housed in the Arlington Central Library’s Center for Local History. We are looking for a few volunteers who have either conducted oral history interviews or who are good listeners and are willing to be trained in the art of taking oral histories. Please contact puwen.lee@afac.org if you would like to help with this project or would like to share your stories about volunteering at AFAC.

Harvesting Crops: As we reach the peak of the growing season, we will be gleaning on a regular basis. We intend to glean nearly every Saturday morning from July 6th through November 2nd. We are almost always finished by noon. Gleaning is fun for the whole family and can be a nice way to show your children where their food is grown. However, it can be unpredictable since we depend upon the schedule of farmers, the weather, and crop availability. As opportunities become available, we will add them to our volunteer calendar. Please check it frequently as there can be lots of changes!

Broccoli, Lettuce and Peas, oh my!

Plot Against Hunger – Garden Open Houses This Saturday, June 22nd, 9am-Noon.

Tour Plot Against Hunger gardens around town – schools, churches, and more are home to Plot Against Hunger gardens that donated 12,000 lbs of fresh produce to AFAC last summer. Talk to gardeners to find out how they got started. Learn what vegetables grow best in Arlington. Check out the details on the PAH webpage or download the flyer and map here.

Garden Open Houses will be at the following 6 locations:

American Legion Post 139: 3445 Washington Blvd
Arlington Central Library: 1015 N. Quincy Street
Hensgens’ residence: 1327 N. Vernon Street
Rock Spring U.C.C.: 5010 Little Falls Road
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: 4000 Lorcom Lane
Clarendon Presbyterian Church: 1305 N. Jackson Street

Hey Bikers! Bike Arlington has mapped out a 10-mile route to visit all the gardens participating in the AFAC garden open houses on Saturday. 6% maximum grade. Check out the route here.

Volunteers Needed

Harvesting Crops: As we reach the peak of the growing season, we will glean on a more regular basis. We intend to glean nearly every Saturday morning between July 6th through November 2nd. We are almost always done by noon. Gleaning is fun for the whole family and can be a nice way to show your children where their food is grown. However, it can be unpredictable since we depend upon the schedule of farmers, the weather, and crop availability.

As opportunities become available, we will add them to our volunteer calendar. Please check it frequently as there can be lots of changes!

Music & a Movie at Penrose Square:

CPRO is hosting 3rd Thursdays at Penrose Square. This week, June 20th, The Goodfellas, a Beatles cover band, is performing followed by the movie Mary Poppins. We need 2 volunteers at the AFAC Info Table from 6:30-9:30pm. If you can help, please emailvolunteer4afac@afac.org.

Help pick-up food donations: Ride with a volunteer driver to pick-up donations from farmers’ markets and Trader Joe’s at one or more of the following times:

Friday, July 5, 9:30-11pm
Tuesday evenings every other week starting July 16, 9:30-10:30pm

More information is on our website.

Gardeners. Can you grow a row for AFAC? As you plant and harvest, please consider donating extra harvests to AFAC. Free vegetable and herb seeds are available to those who grow for us. You can pick up seeds at AFAC, 2708 S. Nelson Street, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Email plotagainsthunger@afac.org for more information.

Thank You!

Congratulations toJamestown Elementary School for collecting 1,750lbs of cereal for AFAC. WOW! Check out more photos on AFAC’s Flickr page.

Thank you to Max & McKenzie Andrysiak for collecting 253 lbs of food donations for AFAC at their 5th and 10th birthday parties!

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated seedlings and fresh produce from their gardens:

Arlington Central Library, Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, Ballston Farmers Market, Karen Barnes from Garden Masters, Randy Berger, Cherrydale United Methodist Church, Church of the Ascension, Clarendon Farmers Market, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Crystal City Farmers Market, Episcopal High School, Ford Barnard Garden, Helen Hensgen, Jean and Tim Paterson, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Westover Farmers Market, and 10th and Barton Street Garden.

One of AFAC’s big produce donors, Thomas Jefferson Middle School community garden, was featured on the Arlington Public School’s Green Scene this past week. Started three years ago by a girl scout troop seeking their Silver Award, this garden has grown into a large teaching garden for the school community and donates hundreds of pounds to AFAC each summer.

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week:Arlington Central Library, Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, Ashlawn Elementary School, Firehook Bakery Capitol Hill, Gunston Middle School, HB Woodlawn, Mandarin Oriental DC, Patrick Henry Elementary, Red Cross, Resurrection Lutheran Church, and AFAC’s Young Professionals.

Thank you to all the volunteers who shared information about AFAC at the Columbia Pike Blues Festival.

Plot Against Hunger Garden Open Houses and Many Volunteer Opportunities with AFAC

Plot Against Hunger – Garden Open Houses. Saturday, June 22nd from 9am-Noon

Tour Plot Against Hunger gardens around town – schools, churches, and more are home to Plot Against Hunger gardens that donate fresh produce to AFAC. Talk to gardeners to find out how they got started. Check out the details on the flyer.

Volunteers Needed

ShirLaLa Festival starts NEXT week – June 20th!

Looking for a fun way to support AFAC this summer? Come down to Shirlington on Thursday

evenings for music and wine-tasting.

ShirLaLa is canceled tonight, but we still need 3 volunteers for the 7:15-8:45pm shift for next Thursday, June 20th. Volunteers must be at least 21 and be able to stand outside in potentially, considerable heat for your shift. To volunteer, please go to our online volunteer calendar. If you have questions, please contactvolunteer4afac@afac.org.

Bag Produce for AFAC this Saturday, 12:30-2:30pm. We need 10 volunteers to help bag produce donated by the local farmers markets this Saturday. Sign-up via the online volunteer calendar.

We have two opportunities to go gleaning on Saturday.

The first is outside at Miller Farms in Clinton, MD gathering broccoli and collard greens at 8am. The farm is about a 45 minute drive from Arlington.
The second opportunity is at the MAGNET warehouse. You’ll be inside (or sheltered) bagging sweet potatoes and other produce. The MAGNET warehouse is in Cheltenham, MD (again, about 45 minutes away).

To sign-up for either activity, just go to our online volunteer calendar and pick the one that works best for you. We ask that gleaners stay for at least two hours (ideally, three). If you have any questions, email volunteer4afac@afac.org.

As we reach the peak of many crops, we will glean on a more regular basis. We intend to glean nearly every Saturday between the first Saturday in July through the first Saturday in November. We are almost always done by noon. Gleaning is fun for the whole family and can be a nice way to connect how food arrives at your table and a good way to explore areas a little further away. However, it can be unpredictable since we depend upon the schedule of farmer’s, the weather, and crop availability. As opportunities become available, we will add them to our volunteer calendar. Please check it frequently as there can be lots of changes!

Registration now open for Summer Teen Program: On weekday mornings in the summer, teens age 14 and older can volunteer at AFAC. Teens can learn more about the Summer Teen program and complete an application form on our website. The Summer Teen orientations will be held on June 24.

Gardeners: Can you grow a row for AFAC?

As you plant and harvest, please consider donating extra harvests to AFAC. Free vegetable and herb seeds are available to those who grow for us. You can pick up seeds at AFAC, 2708 S. Nelson Street, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Email plotagainsthunger@afac.org for more information.

2Rac of Ribs Supports AFAC:

2Rac of Ribs is a group of DC area barbecue enthusiasts competing in the

Safeway Barbecue Battle on June 22nd and 23rd. 2Rac of Ribs has selected AFAC as its charity of choice. The team will donate a portion of proceeds from t-shirt sales and a portion of proceeds from prize money to us. Please come out and support 2Rac of Ribs and AFAC while enjoying great barbecue and festival activities. Their tent will be set up on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave NW and 12th St. To purchase t-shirts, contactandy_a_patel@hotmail.com.

Columbia Pike Blues Festival: Visit the AFAC table at the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, a free street festival with great music and local food, this Saturday, June 15th, 1-8pm. We still need one volunteer for the 2-4pm shift and one volunteer for the 4-6pm shift. The forecast looks great and you’ll have plenty of time to catch all the sights and sounds and still serve as an AFAC ambassador at our booth. More directions will be sent to you after you sign up via the online volunteer calendar, but please email volunteer4afac@afac.org if you have any specific questions.

Thank You! Thank you to Girl Scout Troop #3224 for holding a bake sale for AFAC. They earned $175.

Thank you to the many individuals and groups who have donated seedlings and fresh produce from their gardens: Arlington Central Library (peas and lettuce), Ashlawn & Reevesland Learning Center, American Legion Garden (collards and sugar snap peas), Ball-Sellers Garden (lettuce and collards), Ballston Farmers Market, Clarendon Presbyterian, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Courthouse Farmers Market, Crystal City Farmers Market, Episcopal High School (lettuce and plants), Faith Lutheran Church Community Garden (potatoes), Fort Barnard Garden, Glebe Elementary School, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia – Organic Vegetable Garden, Robyn McHugh (bok choi and radishes) , Rock Spring Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Tuckahoe Elementary School Garden (peas and collards), Westover Library Garden (lettuce, herbs and spinach)

Thank you to the many businesses, churches, organizations, schools, and individuals who have held food drives for AFAC over the last week: ARCADIS – US, Arlington Central Library, Arlington Republican Women’s Club, Ashlawn Food Bus, Calvary United Methodist Church, Congregation Etz Hayim Pre-School (apples and oranges), First Presbyterian Church, Girl Scout Troop 5445 and 3931, JADOC, Langley Hill Friends Meeting, Le Meridien, Navy Federal Credit Union, Palantir Technologies, Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rock Spring Church, Shiftwork Consulting, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann Catholic Church, St. Ann Catholic School, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, and Westover Market.