[Archived] City of Alexandria and Community Partners Provide ALX Cares Grocery Gift Cards to Eligible Residents

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2020

The City of Alexandria has partnered with ACT for Alexandria and other community nonprofit organizations to distribute grocery store gift cards to residents experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ALX Cares Grocery Gift Card Program provides eligible Alexandria residents with pre-paid grocery cards in denominations of $100, $200 and $400 through December, or for as long as funding is available. Grocery gift cards help residents purchase food based on their dietary needs and cultural preferences, and support greater physical distancing by reducing attendance at food distribution sites.

The program application requires documentation of loss of income and financial hardship due to COVID-19, and proof of residence in the City of Alexandria. Priority will be given to residents who have not received federal assistance during the pandemic. 

Through the ALX Cares Grocery Gift Card Program, ACT for Alexandria awarded gift card funding to competitively selected nonprofit partners to distribute approximately 1,500 gift cards per month. Partners include African Communities Together, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, Community Lodgings, Ethiopian Community Development Council, Northern Virginia Family Service, Tenants and Workers United, The Campagna Center and more.  

The City has continued to address ongoing food insecurity caused by impacts of COVID-19 by designating an additional $1.53 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid Relief for Economic Security (CARES) Act to expand and extend food assistance programs. An allocation of $950,000 is designated for the ALX Cares Grocery Gift Card Program and $580,000 for ALIVE! to continue large-scale food distributions and pantry support. Additional funding for other programs will allow Alexandrians to access prepared meals. This financial designation is in addition to the $2.4 million awarded earlier this year through the CARES Act, which has provided 1.6 million meals throughout Alexandria since Mid-March.

For more information and to apply, visit the Food Assistance page or call 703.746.FOOD (3663).

For inquiries from the news media or reasonable disability accommodation only, contact jennifer.cohen@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3484, Virginia Relay 711.