Northern Virginia Food Rescue Provides Free Food at Select Prince William Public Libraries

While inflation and high gas prices are creating hardships for some across Prince William County, the Northern Virginia Food Rescue, or NVFR, is hoping to help those in the community who are experiencing food insecurity.

NVFR is coordinating with select Prince William Public Libraries to get food to people who need it through its Summer Food Distribution program.

"With these times of rising costs, many families in Prince William County have to choose between paying their bills and eating," said NVFR Prince William Region Partner Relations Coordinator John Wooten. "The food we're able to provide through this program may relieve some of the economic stressors these families are currently facing."

Families with children who depend on meals at school also need food while school is out. "Since schools are closed for the summer, those families are especially vulnerable this time of year," Wooten said.

"This is a new program, and word is still getting out," Wooten said. "Once people saw that we were giving out food, families began calling friends and relatives to tell them about this program. At our first distribution event at Dale City Library, more people began coming to the library throughout the day to collect food. To me, this is an indication that there is a need for something like this in the county."

The drive-through events run from 12 – 2 p.m. at the following locations on the following dates.

• Lake Ridge Library, 2239 Old Bridge Road – July 1
• Central Library, 8601 Mathis Ave. in Manassas – July 8 and 29
• Manassas City Library, 10104 Dumfries Road – July 15
• Dumfries Library, 18115 Triangle Shopping Plaza – July 25
• Potomac Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd. – Aug. 24

The food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and residents do not need to show ID to receive food.