At Rising Hope Mission Church, one of our partners in Alexandria, nutrition is at the heart of their pantry. Operating a choice model, where neighbors select the foods that work best for them, they’ve fully embraced the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) system. This stoplight-style tool uses green, yellow, and red labels to help neighbors make informed choices, recommending whether a food is one to choose often (like fruits, veggies, and whole grains), sometimes, or rarely. Rising Hope also shares CAFB recipe cards and “7 Ways” guides to help neighbors turn pantry staples into meals. The staff also cooks with the ingredients in their soup kitchen—showing just how tasty and nourishing a healthy ingredient like brown rice can be. Serving over 300 families each week, the pantry is filled with tools that make every visit a chance to learn and access the nutritious food necessary for good health. We’re proud to partner with Rising Hope to expand access to nutritious, neighbor-centered food across the region! (fb)

Help is available for those affected by reductions in federal jobs and funding. Beginning on Saturday, April 5th, the Capital Area Food Bank will be holding new pop-up food distributions for affected workers, where they can pick up food boxes containing shelf-stable groceries and fresh produce. These new food distributions will be held twice a week through June: on Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m., or while supplies last each day. Find us in the parking lots of these retail locations: DC: 📍 Safeway – 322 40th St NE, Washington, DC 📍 Giant – 1535 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC Maryland: 📍 Giant – 7074 Allentown Rd, Camp Springs, MD 📍 Giant – 7546 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, MD Virginia: 📍 Giant – 6364a Springfield Plaza, Springfield, VA 📍 Safeway – 4215 Cheshire Station Plaza, Dale City, VA For more information about these new distributions or other options for accessing food assistance, visit capitalareafoodbank.org/DMV-help or call our Hunger Lifeline at (202) 644-9807. (fb)