Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) opened an onsite mini food pantry at The Terraces at Arlington View community on November 4. The pantry, open Tuesdays and Thursdays, provides residents with pre-packed bags of food — and reached 60 households on its very first day.
“Our residents were telling us what they needed, and I’m grateful we were able to create this resource for them. For families facing financial challenges or without reliable transportation, having food assistance on site removes real barriers to getting help and shows them we’re here for them.”
– LaNia Dixon, AHC Resident Engagement Specialist
This pilot program was made possible through a $7,500 grant from Arlington County.
“Arlington County is home to many valuable food assistance resources,” said Stephanie Hopkins, Food Security Coordinator for the Arlington County Department of Human Services. “However, we recognize that factors like transportation, work schedules, and caregiving responsibilities can make it challenging for some families to access them at all times. The Food Security Mini-Grant Program allows local organizations to identify specific needs and create practical, community-based approaches to help bridge those gaps.”
The Terraces at Arlington View community includes East and West buildings and is located just a few blocks off Columbia Pike in Arlington. The community includes over 120 affordable apartments, serving residents earning 30-50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Currently stocked with pantry staples, the food pantry is designed to evolve based on resident feedback. Staff are surveying residents to understand their specific needs and will evaluate the program’s effectiveness over time.
Vivian, a Resident Advocate who has called The Terraces home since 2023, volunteers her time to help run the pantry. Unable to work due to health reasons, she has found a strong purpose in supporting her neighbors.
“My role is to come in, organize all of the foods, and then pack each one of the bags, so it’s equal for everybody to have the same thing,” Vivian said. “Having the food here … and knowing that I can help whenever I’m needed is very important to me.”
She said she packs the food bags with purpose, thinking about complete meals and how to make each bag stretch as far as possible for the families who receive them.
Vivian said the onsite pantry addresses a critical gap in a community where many residents lack transportation and live in an area without a lot of food access.
“I think it’s awesome because a lot of people here, elderly or young, most of them don’t have transportation, so it’s important that they know they can come here,” she said.
Beletu, another resident at The Terraces, said LaNia’s support has been instrumental in her life, helping her know she always has someone to turn to — especially as she has gone through health challenges this year. She’s thankful for LaNia’s dedication to the community and glad to see this new resource for her community.
“There are a lot of people who are tired. They cannot get a lot of things they need because of their money or their ability to work as they want … so if they get some [help], I’m happy.”
– Beletu, The Terraces at Arlington View resident
The pantry arrives at a crucial time. In addition to food, staff distribute flyers with information about other available resources, creating a comprehensive support system for those facing challenges.
The pantry is also creating something that goes beyond meeting immediate needs — it’s building connections and trust among neighbors.
“This also is going to help us build up the community to trust one another, which is more important to me — the food’s important, but really being able to know that somebody’s there for you no matter what is important,” Vivian said.
Residents of The Terraces at Arlington View can access the food pantry every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This effort is part of AHC’s larger focus on resident health and wellness. From July to September alone, AHC and local partners provided 18,000+ residents with food assistance. For more information about AHC Resident Services, visit ahcommunities.org/resident-services.
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