–– Serving Others

Next Food Drive: December 5 through December 8, 2024

The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for the Arlington Food Assistance Center and once again St. Peter’s is encouraging parishioners to help our hungry neighbors by bringing food donations for AFAC during the Christmas tree distribution. In 2024 AFAC distributed groceries to more than 4,000 families in a single week—the first time ever hitting this unprecedented milestone. Not only did the number of weekly family visits break an AFAC record, the count of families being referred for AFAC resources also hit an all-time high at almost 6,700 referrals as the urgency for food assistance services has surged. If these trends continue, AFAC predicts to distribute groceries to more than 4,400 families during their annual “Turkey Week” food distribution the week of November 18 through November 23. Last year’s average was 2,712 families per week. 

November and December always mark new milestones for AFAC with record high numbers of family visits, and there are many hungry Arlington families, children and seniors who won’t have enough food on the table to celebrate Christmas this year. 

We need your help to ensure every family has a warm meal to gather around. Please bring items to St. Peter’s when you pick up your Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands Thursday through Sunday, December 5 through December 8.

Most Needed Items

  • Canned tuna

  • Canned soups

  • Canned vegetables

  • Canned tomatoes

  • Peanut butter (in plastic jars)

  • Cereal

Other Items Needed Around the Holidays

  • Sugar

  • Flour

  • Cooking oil

  • Coffee

No time to shop? No problem! You can also donate on-line.

100% of your donation will go directly to buy food for the 4,000+ families AFAC feeds every week. Thank you for your support for this important mission

Look for labels that say: low sodium, no salt added, no sugar added, or unsweetened, 100% fruit juice, etc., and please refrain from donating foods that are opened, expired, prepared meals, or packaged in glass. AFAC does not accept ice packs, Styrofoam coolers, or plastic bags as donations.

Please bring items to St. Peter’s when you pick up your Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands: from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5; 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7; and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8.