Organization:
Father McKenna Center
The Father McKenna Center operates a daily Food Pantry for low-income families, particularly seniors, who are residents of DC. As our city, and particularly our Ward, has redeveloped many of our long-term residents are experiencing food insecurity. The Center has been meeting these needs since we were founded in 1983, and there is more demand than ever before.
The Food Pantry is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1:30-2:30 pm. Households seeking food assistance check in with volunteers and have a shopping experience allowing them to select the products they want to meet their specific household's needs. We find this approach to be rewarding – supporting healthy meals, the dignity of choice, and reducing waste.
Households may visit the Food Pantry as often as every two weeks. We provide food that supports more than 45,000 meals annually. The Food Pantry also builds community – the same families will regularly shop on the same schedule, building relationships with each other and the volunteers.
We believe that reducing a family’s anxiety about putting food on the table, allows space for the grace of sharing, conversation, and care around that table. In the words of our inspiration, Fr. Horace McKenna, “You cannot speak to a person about his or her soul, when they have no food.”
The Father McKenna Center Food Pantry provides an atypical pantry experience by offering both non-perishable and fresh goods. We stock the Pantry with food from the Capital Area Food Bank, private and group donations, and purchases made possible by our donors.
Eligibility Description: The Food Pantry is open to low-income households in DC that are within the TEFAP income requirements. Food Pantry patrons must show us a photo ID and a proof of residency in DC. Accepted proofs of residency include unexpired leases as well as rent receipts, utility bills, mortgages, or deeds that have been issued within the last 60 days. Proofs of residence must show the patron's name and address.
Minimum Age: 18
Application: Families can visit as often as every two weeks.
Required Document:
Photo ID, Unexpired lease or utility bill, rent receipt, mortgage or deed issued within the last 60 days.
Schedules
Monday
:
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday
:
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Thursday
:
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Friday
:
1:30pm - 2:30pm
