At its meeting on Sept. 15, 2026, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation designating September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in Fairfax County. Norma Lopez, NCS’ Inclusive Engagement and Targeted Interventions Division Director, and Alisa Brooks, Food Access Program Manager, accepted the proclamation.
NCS’ mission is to partner with communities, families and individuals to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. Alleviating hunger in Fairfax County is part of that mission, and NCS is proud to work with county agencies, as well as area non-profits, on this issue.
The Food Access Program's landing page serves as a centralized resource for county residents seeking food assistance. It provides links to NCS-administered programs offering meals, such as Head Start and the Summer Food Service Program, alongside resources from partnering agencies. These include assistance from the Department of Family Services on navigating the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), information on free and reduced-price meals at Fairfax County Public Schools, and additional resources.
The proclamation states that 26% of individuals struggle with food insecurity in Fairfax County, and over 64,000 children rely on free and reduced-price meals in Fairfax County Public Schools. Food insecurity affects the county’s most vulnerable populations, including 11,100 participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, more than 900 Home Delivered Meals recipients, and more than 48,000 individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
At the same time as the proclamation was being received, new numbers were released by Capital Area Food Bank in its annual Hunger Report, which showed that food insecurity in greater Washington is now at a five-year high, surpassing levels seen near the height of the pandemic and its associated economic disruption.
NCS is partnering with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and area non-profits for a Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Supervisor District Offices. Please visit the Stuff the Bus event page to see addresses and most-requested non-perishable items.
For nearly 15 years, Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus program has been a critical resource for local food pantries and families struggling with food insecurity. In partnership with local grocery stores, volunteers, and community organizations, the program collects non-perishable food items and gift cards at various locations throughout the county. This collaboration helps keep the shelves of local pantries and food providers stocked throughout the year. The most recent drive, a one-day event in March 2026, collected 11,428 pounds of food and more than $1,700 in gift cards.
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