Food and Grocery Giveaways to Combat Food Insecurity

With everything going on right now, no one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Food insecurity is a real and current issue, especially while government employees are not getting paid and SNAP benefits will be paused come November 1. Both of these problems are because of the government shutdown. 

No one should go hungry – and there are so many organizations in the area that are working to ensure that whoever needs food can get it. Find our list of holiday meal giveaways, weekly food giveaways, and grocery giveaways taking places across the DMV. Food security is something we can all help to end! 

Knowing that sometimes finding where to get aid is the hardest step, we’re committed to providing as many resources as possible to help you find what you need. We have a guide to Government Shutdown Resources. If you’re able to help financially, we have a Nonprofit Giving Guide to help direct you on the best ways to impact our community.

DC Area Moms understands that times are tough, and our hearts are with everyone. Also, please find help with baby formula or baby items with The Napkin Network and the Greater DC Diaper Bank. 

Thanksgiving Meal and Turkey Giveaways:

• November 3-25, Bread for the City – providing a holiday meal, Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm (closed November 11) *need to have DC ID to receive

• November 5 Turkey Giveaway, Lamont plaza, 3258 Mt Pleasant St. NW

• November 15
  • Bridging the Gap 1,000 Turkey Giveaway 10am-2pm, Suitland High School, 5200 Silver Hill Road #2086, District Heights, MD 20747
  • Greater Washington Urban League, 9am-3pm, 2901 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009

• November 21
  • Ward 7 DC Councilman Wendell Felder’s turkey and gift card giveaway (for Ward 7 residents in DC), Festival grounds at RFK – 2500 Independence Avenue Southeast Lot 8, Washington, DC 20003
  • Building Bridges DC Turkey Giveaway, 12-5pm, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020

• November 22
  • Town of Dumfries – turkey giveaway (registration required), 3-6pm, Jeff Simpson Community Center, 17757 Main St, Dumfries, VA
  • Community Church of God – Thanksgiving meal and coat giveaway, 11am-1pm, 2500 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 2202
  • Elaine Ellis Center of Health Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, 12-1 pm, 1627 Kenilworth Ave. NE, Washington, DC 

• November 25
  • 89 Ways to Give – turkey drive/giveaway, 2-4pm, Frank W. Ballou High School – 3401 4th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20032

Weekly Food Giveaway Resources:

• Monday-Friday at Martha’s Table’s Markets:
  • 11am-4pm, The Commons – SE, 2375 Elvans Road, SE, Washington, DC 20020
  • Maycroft – NW, 1474 Columbia Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Tuesdays
  • 11am-12pm, DPR Veggie Giveaway, Edgewood Rooftop Farm, 301 Franklin Street NE, Washington, DC
  • 12-2pm, No Limits Outreach Ministries, 7721 Barlowe Rd., Hyattsville, MD

• Wednesdays
  • 11am-12pm, DPR Veggie Giveaway, Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Ave. NE, Washington, DC
  • 10am-12pm, Seneca Creek Community Church, 13 Firstfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
• Thursdays
  • 11am-12pm, DPR Veggie Giveaway, Powell Communal Farm, 3149 16th Street, NW
• Fridays
  • Free fresh produce, 1801 Mississippi Ave. SE, (Proof income/govt ID)
  • 11am-1:30pm, Urban Outreach, 5343 C Street SE, Washington, DC
  • 11am-1pm, United Community, 7511 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 
• Saturdays 
  • 10-11am, DPR Veggie Giveaway, Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Ave. NE
  • 1-2:30pm, LindaBen Foundation, 10739 Tucker Street, Beltsville, MD

Additional Food and Grocery Giveaways

1. Check out DC Food Project for additional resources.
2. World Central Kitchen – Locations and time change for meals for furloughed federal workers – see website for updates
3. Paint Branch High School – grocery giveaway (no ID required but must complete intake form) – November 12 and 26, 2:45-4pm, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
4. BJ Foundation Diaper and Baby Food Giveaway, 1-2pm on November 6, 11660 Annapolis Road Glenn Dale, MD 20769
5. Bread for the City will provide five days of food to impacted federal employees
6. José Andrés Group, Various locations giving away a free main dish with a government ID, Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm: 
   • Donburi at China Chilcano
   • Durum or pita at Zaytinya
   • A torta at Oyamel
   • A sandwich at Jaleo
7. Pork Barrel BBQ at 2312 Mt. Vernon Avenue, and Sweet Fire Donna’s at 510 John Carlyle Street will offer free pulled pork sandwiches Monday-Friday.
8. First Wednesday and third Thursday each month, Walker Memorial Baptist Church does grocery giveaway. Register here.

Times feel very fragile and uncertain for so many families. If you have the means, please donate to organizations who are making an impact. Please share this article with anyone who you think could benefit!

Also, if you know of other food or grocery giveaways, please leave them in the comments.  This resource is being updated as we learn more.