Food
As of 12/2020
Here is an organized resource to see most of DC food resources with up to date information.
BREAD FOR THE CITY FOOD PROGRAM: Provides food once a month to residents of SW, SE and NW Washington, D.C. who are elderly, disabled or parents with children between 1 and 17. Provides a supplemental food bag that should last 2-3 days. The amount of food distributed is based on the family size. Register here.
- NW Address: 1525 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
- 202-265-2400
- SW Address: 1640 Good Hope Road SE, Washington DC 20020
- 202-561-8587
As always, Bread for the City is still offering grocery bags for pick up at our NW location, 1525 7th St, NW. Bags are available Monday-Friday between 8:30-12 at the front door. No registration required.
DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS: For school year 2020-2021, while the virtual and/or hybrid learning model is in place, select school sites will be serving free breakfast and lunch meals for pick up. To limit the number of trips families need to make to meal sites, youth, or parents/guardians on their behalf, can receive up to 3 breakfast and 3 lunch meals at a time. DCPS meal sites are open every Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can view the most up-to-date list of meal sites, along with menus here.
- Parents/guardians may pick up meals on behalf of their DCPS student(s). Students or their parent/guardian should be prepared to provide the student name, school name and student ID number at the meal site.
- Additional food resources can be found here.
- DPR After school Meals Sites beginning September 9th.
Capital Area Food Bank: is offering grab-n-go meals for children under 18 at DC kids cafe sites in the District, Prince George’s County and Virginia. Check out this Interactive Map!
DC PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL MEAL SITES:
DC Public Charter School Meal Sites (locations and times by Ward) are listed, including hours meals will be served.
DC DEPT. of PARKS & RECREATION FREE AFTER SCHOOL MEAL SITES:
DC kids and teens have access to free meals served Monday-Friday 2pm-4pm at these select locations. No ID or application required. Masks/face coverings REQUIRED.
- Arthur Capper Recreation Center | 1000 5th St SE (Ward 6)
- Barry Farm Recreation Center | 1230 Sumner Rd SE (Ward 8)
- Deanwood Community Center | 1350 49th St NE (Ward 7)
- Edgewood Recreation Center | 300 Evarts St NE (Ward 5)
- Emery Heights Community Center | 5701 Georgia Ave NW (Ward 4)
- Fort Stanton Recreation Center | 1812 Erie St SE (Ward 8)
- Raymond Recreation Center | 3725 10th St NW (Ward 4)
- Ridge Road Community Center | 830 Ridge Rd SE (Ward 7)
- Trinidad Recreation Center | 1310 Childress St NE (Ward 5)
- Therapeutic Recreation Center | 3030 G St SE (Ward 7)
Martha’s Table and DC Central Kitchen Grocery Distribution Sites: Martha’s Table (under Community Supports) and DC Central Kitchen are offering no-cost Grab-and Go Grocery Distribution at the following sites until supplies last.
Martha’s Table Programming (LINK/Updates)
- Martha’s Table Commons Market- No cost bagged groceries
- 2375 Elvans Rd, SE
- Monday-Friday 11AM – 4PM
- Martha’s Table Maycroft Market- No cost bagged groceries
- 1474 Columbia Rd, NW
- Monday-Friday 11AM – 4PM
- McKenna’s Wagon- prepackaged meals.
- Daily at New Jersey Ave NE and I Street NE 5:15 – 5:40pm
- Daily at 15th and I Street NW 5:50pm
- Diaper Bank Distribution- families are eligible for diapers once every 4 weeks, per baby. Caregivers must bring proof of child’s age (daycare verification, birth certificate, pediatrician documentation, etc).
- 2375 Elvans Rd, SE
- Monday-Friday 11AM-3PM
YMCA DC – is providing aproduce and meal distribution across the DMV is available for anyone. This will be distributed while supplies last. Meals are made at World Central Kitchen and anyone can pick up a meal. Snack Boxes are for children 18 and younger. Children do not need to be present in order to pick up a box. Snack boxes made by USDA school lunch standards and are shelf-stable.
- Meals: Boxes of meals contain 3-days’ worth of breakfast and lunch. Any child, regardless of their
affiliation with the YMCA, may pick up boxed meals two times per week. Children must be 18 or younger. - Produce: Produce is available for anyone, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA. This will be
distributed while supplies last
USDA Meals for Kids Finder: is an interactive map to find USDA sponsored state programs that provide students with grab and go meals in any state when schools are closed.
Interactive resource map of meal sites, food resources, and free groceries can be found here (updated every evening): https://coronavirus.dc.gov/mealsites
Getting to and from meal sites:
- Metrobus Routes serving each of the DCPS Meal sites can be found HERE
- Metro rail routes/closures during COVID: 2019 System Map
- Momma’s Safe Haven: is providing rides to/from DCPS meal sites. Call 202-903-5122.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
- A program through DC gov that provides food benefits on a Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to District families with children who normally receive free or reduced price school meals if not for school closures due to COVID-19. The card can be used to purchase food at stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formally food stamps) EBT benefits and can also be used to purchase food for delivery online at Amazon. District families already participating in SNAP will receive benefits automatically. More information can be found at the DHS P-EBT page at dhs.dc.gov/p-ebt or by calling the P-EBT Call Center at (202) 868-6663 from 7:30 am – 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday.
- If you think you may be eligible to start receiving SNAP benefits, you can complete and submit an application through the DC Department of Human Services (DHS). Learn more about how to submit an application on the DHS website.
Household Meals – Expensify will reimburse SNAP-eligible families up to $50 groceries
Water supply – If you have been disconnected from water, DC Water is restoring water services with flexible payment options. Please click here to find out how to contact this service. DC Water is offering payment assistance for customers who are struggling to pay their water bill during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please visit this site
Education
As of 12/2020
General information:
New COVID-19 testing protocols for asymptomatic DCPS students and staff can be found here
Chancellor Ferebee announced in an email on November 12 that beginning November 18, a limited number of CARE (Canvas Academics and Real Engagement) classrooms will be open for in-person learning in 35 DCPS elementary schools. The number of seats will vary by school. More CARE classrooms will open on December 2, December 9, and in January. Find out more information here
DCPS has partnered with Trendency Research, an independent firm, to conduct a survey of parents of DCPS students to gauge their experiences during at-home learning and over the school year. Find out more here
Resources for online learning can be found here.
Compiled by DC MAP, the Children’s Law Center, and the DC Behavioral Health Association, this guide aims to serve as a comprehensive database of behavioral health resources accepting DC Medicaid available to DC youth
Internet Access Resources
Verizon Lifeline is an affordable internet option for low-income households. Plans are available for fiber-optic home internet service, as well as home phone service.
Eligibility:
- Based on Your Income
- You can get the Lifeline discount if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines.
- You can get the Lifeline discount if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines.
- Participation in a qualifying federal assistance program:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands
Comcast Internet Essentials has extended their offer to receive home internet service for $9.95/month! New customers can receive 2 free months of internet when they join by June 30, 2021. Internet Essentials customers also have the option to purchase a desktop or laptop computer at a reduced price.
- Enroll here: https://www.internetessentials.com/apply
Eligibility:
- You are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.
- You live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available.
- You are not an existing Xfinity Internet customer and have not subscribed to Comcast Internet within the last 90 days.
- You have no outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than one year old. Households with outstanding debt may still be eligible
How do I talk to my kids about COVID-19?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has patient-oriented portal with information about COVID-19, risk reduction and safety strategies, how to cope with school closures and how to talk to your children about the pandemic https://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx
Children’s National has compiled a COVID-19 guide specifically geared towards children and families. They offer guidance on how to talk to your kids about COVID-19, Explaining School Closures and Homeschooling Tips, see links below:
Talking to kids about COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Talking to kids about coronavirus-related school closings
Tips for homeschooling during the coronavirus outbreak
Answers to questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
More free educational resources:
- The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is offering a huge variety of free, online, out-of-school learning resources for children of all ages (early childhood through age 18). These resources can be found at this link.
- DC Public Library (DCPL)
- The Anacostia, Bellevue, Benning, Capitol View, Chevy Chase, Cleveland Park, Francis A Gregory, Georgetown, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Mount Pleasant, Northeast, Palisades, Petworth, Shaw, Shepherd Park, Tenley-Friendship, West End, and Woodridge libraries are open for limited service from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. Beginning November 9, the Chevy Chase, Georgetown, and Palisades branches will be open as well, following the same schedule. Measures to control entry are in place, such that no more than 50 customers are able to occupy a 1000 square foot space at a time. Customers are able to return books and pick up items they have placed on hold. Full-service printing as well as a limited number of public computers are available for use. More details here
- DCPL has compiled a list of resources for students who are distance learning which may be helpful in completing assignments. Access may require a library card, but you can apply for a DC library card online here.
- DCPL will continue to serve residents of DC (as well as residents of multiple MD and VA counties) through its online digital library, which contains more than 15 million free movies, eBooks, audiobooks, and music albums. This digital library is available at GoDigital. If you do not already have a DC library card – no problem! You can apply for a DC library card online here, and then you will immediately be granted access to these online resources.
- MIND Research Institute is offering ST Math, a Web-Based Visual Instructional Program for students Grades K-8, free through June 30, 2021.
- PBSKids is offering a free daily newsletter including age group specific educational activities. They also offer resources and tips for parents on how to help their children learn from home.
- Common Sense Media offers a guide to using media effectively to learn from home. Includes an overview of online learning apps and educational games by grade level. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic#section-3
Family- Centred Coping Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network has created a Parent /Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19. The guide discusses readiness, risk reduction, hygiene, and a very effective chart which categorizes common childhood coping mechanisms by age group and offers strategies for how to parents can respond Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Childcare
As of 5/2021
For Healthcare Workers and Essential Workers: MD COVID Sitters is a voluntary initiative that helps match local students with healthcare workers and essential workers in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to assist with childcare and other household services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit www.mdcovidsitters.org for steps on signing up to request care.
Another option is the Emergency Childcare Initiative for Healthcare Professionals that was launched on March 26th in DC in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, DC Hospital Association and DC Primary Care Association to support the child care needs of our healthcare workforce. If you are a healthcare worker or essential worker and your child is aged 4 years to 12 years, and is without serious medical conditions, you may be able to receive child care through a partnered child care facility. Please sign up at https://octo.quickbase.com/db/bqemsh3a6.
Other D.C. Specific Resources:
- The Childcare Subsidy/Voucher Program can provide financial support for childcare.
- DC Child Care Connections can help connect families with licensed child care providers who have remained open. Please call (202) 829-2500 or email osse.dcchildcareconnections@dc.gov to find out more.
- A list of open childcare facilities located in D.C. and their contact information can be found here.
- Guidelines and reminders for best practices to keep your family safe when sending your children to child care facilities can be found here.
Other National Resources
- Care.com offers services to help families find, manage, and pay for care services.
- Childcarecenter.us is a directory of childcare providers including daycare centers, nannies, home daycare providers, and babysitting services.
- Winnie is a tool that allows families to find caregivers based on their location.
Housing
As of 12/2020
Access to Emergency Shelters: Nearly all low-barrier shelters, family shelters, and shelters serving youth will remain open.
- Mayor Bowser’s Winter Plan aims to keep DC residents experiencing homelessness safe from hypothermia during the winter.
- Families seeking access to homeless services are encouraged to call the DC Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093, or 311 at any time. To obtain temporary housing at a shelter, you may need to bring ID, birth certificates for each family member, proof of income, and proof of DC residency, so make sure to call the shelter in advance. See list of available shelters below.
- Families living in shelters will be provided with three meals a day, except in the case of overflow motels. Residents of overflow motels will be provided with breakfast and a hot dinner, with additional snacks and financial food assistance on a case-by-case basis.
- The Virginia Williams Family Resource Center has been closed to the public for in-person services. Staff will continue services via the Shelter Hotline.
Transportation available only upon request by calling Shelter Hotline (202) 399-7093 or 311 (clients seeking shelter are prioritized)
- Low Barrier Shelters: A list of low-barrier shelters can be found here.
- List of Family and Youth Shelters:
- Coalition for the Homeless
- (202) 726-2203
- 50th St Family Program
- Community of Hope
- Placement in a program is through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center– (202) 546-0017 or (202) 724-4208
- The Triumph
- Girard Street Apartments
- Hope Apartments
- DC General Family Shelter – (202) 547-5702
- Bruce House (ages 17 & under) – (202) 546-4900 → drop-in center
- Zoe’s Doors (ages 24 & under) – (202) 248-2098 → drop-in center
- Healthy Babies/Perennial Transitional House (pregnant/parenting teens age 16-21 and their babies) – (202) 396-2809
- Coalition for the Homeless
Rent Payments, Evictions and Utility Cut-offs: The DC City Council passed an emergency bill which includes housing information and assistance protocols. The bill can be read here and details are below:
- Renters who are facing financial hardships due to the pandemic are able to negotiate repayment plans with their landlords for rent due during the city’s public health emergency and for one year after the emergency ends. The public health emergency has been extended until March 31st, 2021.
- Foreclosures and new court filings for evictions will be put on hold not only during the state of emergency, but for an additional 60 days after the state of emergency ends.
- D.C. Superior Court is not hearing foreclosure or eviction cases right now and the federal recovery bill imposed a moratorium on evictions for holders of federally backed mortgages.
- The Council has already prohibited landlords from increasing rent during the state of emergency, and it has banned late fees for unpaid rent and prohibited utility cutoffs
- Landlords can’t report rent delinquencies to credit reporting bureaus for being on a payment plan
- For additional information click here, and for DC housing resources click here.
The Department of Housing and Community Development Rental Assistance Program: A $1.5 million program has been developed with funds to help low-income renters, in affordable housing communities, that have lost income during the COVID-19 public health emergency. DHCD expects the fund to assist approximately 200-400 households for a minimum of six months based on financial need and available funds. To determine your eligibility and for more information click here.
COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP): The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), a $6.2 million program funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) offering rental assistance to low-income renters who are in arrears. Tenants must earn 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or below based on the COVID-19 Income & Rent Schedule. Financial assistance will be based on income and household size. Assistance can be applied for rent from April 2020 onward for up to three months of overdue rent depending on available funds. Interested applicants are asked to fill out intake information by going to the central intake portal for emergency rental assistance. Click here to apply and read more about this program.
202 Assist for Ward 8 Residents: 202 Assist, launched by the John Wall Family Foundation, is aimed at providing rent assistance to Ward 8 residents impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation is working with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, Lydia’s House and Housing Counseling Services to identify qualifying applicants and disperse rent relief. You can apply for rent relief using the “Rental Relief Application” found at this link: https://www.lh4us.org/forms.
Housing Emergencies: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps low-income, District residents who are facing housing emergencies. A housing emergency is when immediate action is needed to avoid homelessness, to reestablish a home, or to prevent eviction from a home. Click here to learn more about this program.
Tenant Rights: if you have questions regarding your tenant rights, you can contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560, Monday-Friday, from 8:45 am to 4:45 pm. Walk-in appointments have been suspended until further notice. (More information for DC tenants can be found here.). Additionally, under DC law, a landlord cannot legally charge late fees for late rental payments while the city is under a declared State of Emergency.
Homeless Services Providers: If you are a homeless services provider, local guidance from the Department of Human Services can be found here.
Paid Leave: Families are eligible for paid FMLA leave to care for sick families or children who are home from school under the federal law. For more information please visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/employee-guide
Supporting Families Living in Shelters: If you would like to make donations to help families in need, you can purchase items from DC shelter providers’ Amazon wishlists, linked below.
DC Shelter Amazon Wishlists:
- The Horizon, the Ward 7 Short-term Family Housing program located in Marshall Heights. Shipping address: 5004 D Street, SE Washington DC, 20019
- The Sterling, the Ward 5 Short-term Family Housing program located in Brookland. Shipping address: 1700 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington DC, 20018
- The Kennedy, the Ward 4 Short-term Family Housing program located in Brightwood Park. Shipping address: 5505 5th St, NW Washington DC, 20011
- Overflow Quality Inn
- Overflow Days Inn
Information for Virginia:
- The eviction moratorium has expired and evictions are currently being held in some courts.
- Tenants are able to receive a 60-day continuance of an eviction proceeding if they appear in court and show written evidence that they do not have income due to the pandemic.
- Virginia lawmakers passed legislation that caps late fees at 10 percent of your monthly rent or the remaining balance, whichever is less.
- Information about the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program can be found here.
- Governor Ralph Northam announced a $4 million plan to provide legal aid for Virginians facing eviction. More information can be found here.
Information for Maryland:
- Governor Larry Hogan issued an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was the result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- An additional emergency order prohibits electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service or charging any late fees.
- More information can be found here.
