WOODBRIDGE, VA – Residents in need of food assistance can once again turn to a Woodbridge church.
Woodbridge Church of the Nazarene celebrated a grand reopening of its food bank on Tuesday. The food bank had ceased operations in November 2023 due to construction of its food pavilion. The Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William provided funding to install a walk-in cooler and pavilion, and Sentara Cares donated to remodel the kitchen.
“Reopening our food pantry has been a journey based on patience, collaboration and trust in God. This celebration is a blessing to us and the community we serve,” said Rev. Pamm Fontana, senior pastor at WoodbridgeNaz. “Isaiah 58:10 teaches us, ‘Feed the hungry and help those in need. Then your light will shine out of the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as the noonday.'”
The food bank is located in the back of the church building, 14001 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, VA. WoodbridgeNaz partners with the Iglesia del Nazareno de Woodbridge to operate the food bank. Capital Area Food Bank, Northern Virginia Food Rescue and their partners provide food.
According to the church, food security is very precarious in the 22192 zip code and neighboring 22125, 22193 and 22191 zip codes. Before the food bank construction paused, an estimated 20,000 or more people were served last year.
The food bank is open every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Some of the upcoming dates are August 27, September 10, September 24, October 8, and October 22.
No proof of income is required to receive food assistance. Potential clients can sign up for updates in English or Spanish by texting 833-417-5568. Residents can volunteer to prepare and serve food by contacting [email protected] for pantry orientation dates.
WoodbridgeNaz has been in existence since 1966 and also operates a free clothing closet by appointment and a community closet where household goods are donated to nonprofits and social workers.
Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to raise awareness in our local communities about hunger, an ongoing national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meal programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about one in six Americans — are food insecure. This is a nonprofit project of Patch; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how to donate in your community or find a food bank near you.
