Arlington Charities: Supporting Our Neighbors In Need

This local Arlington non-profit serves those with food insecurity with nutritious food items for themselves and their families.

When a friend approached me and asked me if I knew much about Arlington Charities, I had to be honest: I didn't. Genuinely, I thought maybe it was a name for the collection of nonprofits that serve the Arlington community. I didn't know it was its own organization, located off Cooper Street, that serves up to 700 neighbors per week.

Who is Arlington Charities?

Founded in 1978, Arlington Charities is one of the oldest organizations in the area that addresses food insecurity. It serves all Arlington zip codes as well as Kennedale and several zip codes in Grand Prairie, and neighbors can make an appointment to stop in one time per month to pick up groceries such as meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy and more. Groceries received by neighbors should last about a week for a family of four.

Arlington Charities

How does food distribution work with Arlington Charities?

Food can be picked up daily Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1 pm at the headquarters on Secretary Drive in Arlington. Neighbors can make an appointment for pick up, and they order ahead on Arlington Charities' website to make sure they are receiving items they can actually use. 

Home delivery is available for seniors and those who lack transportation.

Arlington Charities hosts mobile distribution events three times per month that are open to all. Arlington Charities wants these events to have the fewest barriers for neighbors in need as possible. 

In the summertime when school is out, Arlington Charities hosts Books & Bites funded by Atmos Energy. This program supplies kids with meals and books when school isn't in session. I love this! 

Filling up a neighbor's car at a daily distribution pick up. 

Where does Arlington Charities obtain the food they hand out to neighbors?

Most of the food that Arlington Charities distributes is purchased at an extreme discount from Tarrant Area Food Bank. Some comes from local grocery stores, but most comes from TAFB. Food can also be received through generous donations from local residents and organizations who want to support the mission of tackling food insecurity in the Arlington area.

Fresh fruit that Arlington Charities distributes to neighbors in need. 

How can I support Arlington Charities?

This is my favorite part- it is so easy to help Arlington Charities and tackle food insecurity in our community!

- You can make a monetary donation. This money will be placed into the group's general fund and used for operational expenses.

- You can volunteer! If you are 16 and older, you can volunteer to help "shop" and load vehicles with food during one of their daily food pickups.

- You can host a donation drive. This is always popular, especially around the holiday season, however, the help that Arlington Charities needs may not be what we think. While it is great to host a canned food drive, Arlington Charities can purchase most canned goods from TAFB for cheaper than you or I can buy them from our local supermarkets. A better idea would be to host a donation drive for the items they need the most (and receive the least of): canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.), toilet paper and hygiene products such as sanitary supplies and deodorant. Donating these items will go a long way with Arlington Charities and are the most-requested items they don't have a steady supply of. 

I loved learning about Arlington Charities

As we head toward the holidays, it is important to keep amazing organizations like this in mind when you are looking to get involved in your community. Arlington Charities truly does amazing work to combat food insecurity in our community. Thank you, Arlington Charities, for supporting our neighbors in need!