ALIVE | ALXnow

Alexandria nonprofits receive support from regional Builders for Babies diaper drive

Published August 20, 2026 at 9:15AM

The 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive (via HomeAid National Capital Region)

Alexandria nonprofits were among the 52 nonprofit recipients of nearly 1.3 million diapers and wipes from HomeAid National Capital Region’s latest donation drive.

HomeAid, which builds housing and programming space for nonprofits serving the homeless, organized the 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive to benefit organizations serving families in the D.C. region and Richmond. Builders, trade partners, suppliers, community collection sites and donors helped HomeAid distribute a record 1,292,097 diapers.

News

Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Act for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler (center) at an event celebrating Fund for Racial Equity grantees (via ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and individuals, the organization announced in a new report.

The nonprofit created the fund in 2020 and established a resident community advisory board to lead grantmaking in 2024. The advisory board led three rounds of grantmaking over the next two years, awarding flexible, unrestricted grants to the organizations and individuals, according to ACT for Alexandria’s A Journey in Hope report.

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Memorial at Alexandria church pays tribute to people who died in ICE custody

By Emily Leayman

Published May 14, 2026 at 9:15AM

The ICE custody death memorial at Fairlington Presbyterian Church (via Fairlington Presbyterian Church/Facebook)

Fairlington Presbyterian Church has created a memorial on its front lawn to remember people who have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since 2025.

The church, located at 3846 King Street in the West End, dedicated the memorial Sunday (May 10). The memorial features posts representing each of 32 people who died in ICE custody from January 2025 to early January 2026. Another 18 names of people who died in ICE custody leading up to May 2026 are included in a brochure being distributed at the memorial. Some official causes of death are pending or disputed.

News

Spring2ACTion eclipses goal and raises $3.5 million for Alexandria nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published April 23, 2026 at 11:15AM | Updated April 23, 2026 at 3:27PM

ACT for Alexandria staff in Old Town (via Act For Alexandria:Facebook)

ACT for Alexandria has done it again. On Wednesday, Spring2ACTion, the biggest day of giving in Alexandria, raised more than $3.4 million for 198 area nonprofits.

Spring2ACTion is the main annual fundraiser for most participating nonprofits. ACT for Alexandria eclipsed its $2.5 million goal for the event, which drew participation from more than 7,000 donors, 198 nonprofits and more than 60 businesses.

News

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style cruises back into Alexandria in May

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, May 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Attention exotic car lovers: the seventh annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is right around the corner.

The festival returns from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, showcasing rare vehicles along the 400–600 blocks of King Street and the 100 blocks of North and South St. Asaph Street and North and South Pitt Street. Organizers expect attendance to top 40,000 people.

News

Former councilman’s ‘Alexandrians Have Heart’ food, clothes drive returns tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published February 13, 2026 at 10:30AM

Former City Councilman Frank Fannon (center) and friends at the 2025 Alexandrians Have a Heart Food and Clothes Drive (courtesy photo)

Former Alexandria City Councilman Frank Fannon is hosting his 18th annual Alexandrians Have Heart food and clothes drive in Old Town on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Fannon started the drive after getting elected to City Council in 2008, and says that he’s hoping this year to deliver a record six Ford F-150-sized truck beds full of food and clothes to ALIVE!, Carpenter’s Shelter and Christ House.

Around Town

Empty Bowls Alexandria returns next month amid increased demand for services

By Katie Taranto

Published January 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Pottery bowls at Empty Bowls 2025 (via ALIVE!/Facebook)

The annual Empty Bowls Alexandria event is returning next month as host ALIVE! says demands for food, housing and emergency financial assistance are on the rise.

In its ninth year, the historically sold-out event brings local restaurants and artisans together to fundraise for the nonprofit’s efforts to address food and housing insecurity. The event comes as ALIVE! has weathered the region’s economic losses over the past year, with requests for support up roughly 30% since the fall, spokesperson Grace Terlinden told ALXnow.

News

Where to donate and receive food assistance in Alexandria during the government shutdown

By James Cullum

Published November 6, 2025 at 2:45PM

Food donations at ALIVE! (via ALIVE!/Facebook)

Alexandria’s largest food bank is seeking more donations and volunteers as it experiences increasing demand amid the government shutdown.

Nonprofit ALIVE!, which provides food and financial assistance to about 20,000 people each month, says local needs are rising significantly as more residents find themselves out of work due to federal layoffs and the ongoing shutdown.

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StepALIVE! walkathon raises $125,000 for food, housing assistance

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 23, 2025 at 9:00AM

Hundreds of neighbors came together on Sunday, October 19 at George Washington Middle School for ALIVE!’s 44th annual StepALIVE! Walkathon, raising $100,000 to support families across Alexandria who face food insecurity and housing instability. (Credit: Jennifer Ayers, Executive Director of ALIVE!)

Hundreds of Alexandria residents gathered Sunday at George Washington Middle School for ALIVE!’s 44th annual StepALIVE! Walkathon, raising $125,000 to support families facing food insecurity and housing instability.

The event marked a milestone for the fundraiser, which moved to a new site for the first time since its inception. A total of 352 walkers participated, choosing between 5K and 5-mile routes through Del Ray and Old Town.

Around Town

Alexandrians to walk for neighbors facing food, housing insecurity

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 17, 2025 at 4:15PM

StepALIVE! Walkathon will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19 (via ALIVE!)

ALIVE! will host its 44th Annual StepALIVE! Walkathon on Sunday at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. The event aims to raise $100,000 for families facing food and housing insecurity.

Registration opens at 12:30 p.m., with the walk starting at 2 p.m. A celebration with music, prizes, and frozen custard from Goodies will follow.

News

Old Town Festival of Speed & Style raises $35,000 for Alexandria charities

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 30, 2025 at 1:00PM

ALIVE! representatives join festival organizers to accept a $15,000 donation from the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style at Market Square on Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style has donated more than $35,000 to three local nonprofits, organizers announced Friday.

The funds, raised through the festival’s May 18 event and related activities, will be split among ALIVE!, Community Lodgings, and the National Breast Center Foundation. Burke & Herbert Bank served as the presenting sponsor.