ALIVE! gave out 13,000 pounds of food to more than 1,300 Alexandria households on Saturday morning, and the nonprofit is now collecting financial donations for the next distribution.
The food cost about $65,000 and amounted to 4,300 grocery bags, which were distributed within two hours at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (23 W. Reed Ave.) and John Adams Elementary School (5651 Rayburn Avenue).
“That’s why we don’t have an inventory. As soon as the food comes in it goes out,” Ann Patterson, ALIVE’s food program director, told ALXnow. “We are giving out huge amounts of food that we haven’t distributed before.”
ALIVE! also needs financial donations to help city residents with paying their rent and utilities.
Patterson said that finding cheap food has been challenging, and that food supply chains — initially disrupted by the pandemic — are slowly becoming easier to navigate.
“A lot of the food that’s available is made for bulk for restaurants, like 10 pound cans of soup,” she said. “We’re dealing with the retail supply chain with 14-ounce cans of soup, not a 10 pound cans of soup. The problem with manufacturers is that it’s geared toward restaurants and hotels. Like, I can’t do anything with a 50 pound bag of rice. I can’t hand that out.”
ALIVE! also delivers food for more than 500 individuals stuck at home, as opposed to an average of about 200 families before the crisis. Additionally, the nonprofit is delivering meals to more than 20 homeless individuals being housed in hotels in the city.
ALIVE! has given away more than 120,000 pounds of food since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Alexandria. On April 15, the nonprofit received the top number of donations — $145,611 from 491 donors — in the annual Spring2ACTion fundraiser.
Additionally, throughout next month $1 will be donated to ALIVE! with every purchase of a reusable $2.50 community bag at the Giant Food at 3131 Duke Street.
There will be another food distribution next month, although a date has not been chosen.
Thanks to @AlexandriaVAFD, @AlexVASheriff @AlexandriaVAPD @AlexandriaVATES and @DASHBus for their help at today’s Truck-to-Trunk food Distribution. Extra thanks to the Volunteers who worked all week to pack bags and showed up to pack, load, direct traffic and more! pic.twitter.com/OjtwBrMMoJ
— Alive4Alexandria (@ALIVE4AlexVA) April 25, 2020
We’re working with AlexandriaVA.gov & ALIVE to keep Alexandria fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll be transporting…
Posted by DASHBus on Friday, April 24, 2020
Photo via DASH/Facebook
Recent Stories

About Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT): Latinas Leading Tomorrow is a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young Latina women through education, mentorship, and leadership development. We are committed to fostering a community of future leaders who will make a significant impact to the community.
Job Description: We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Part-time Executive Director to lead our organization into its next phase of growth and impact. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader who can oversee day-to-day operations, drive fundraising efforts, and cultivate relationships with stakeholders. This is a 1099 position; Remote position with ability to attend DMV events; 8-10 hours a week; $35-40/per hour.
Key Responsibilities:

Get ready to Shake, Rattle and Roll with this one-of-a-kind, high-octane rockabilly concert experience! Rockabilly Rumble is the all-new, musical experience celebrating the southern rock music that exploded on the scene in the 1950s. Organized by Alexandria City High School Alum and pro-musician Sam C. Jones, this band of world-class performers will have you dancing in your Blue Suede Shoes all night long with songs made famous by Bo Ridley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and more. Relive their most popular hits, along with some forgotten gems. “Rockabilly Rumble” is a dance-worthy, foot stomping evening you’ll never forget!
This show is 21+ only.
YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PHYSICAL ID. A PICTURE OF YOUR ID IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Christmas Through The Ages
Christmas Through The Ages – Join the Washington Men’s Camerata, and Guest Director Scott Tucker for a program of Christmas and holiday music spanning the centuries through today, featuring the music of Bach, Lauridsen, Abbie Betinis, and many others.