Maryland, D.C. and Virginia have all enacted their own version of a stay-at-home order. The orders direct residents to remain in their homes, with exceptions for essential activities like grocery shopping, seeking medical assistance and solitary exercise. While these measures serve the greater good and will help curb the spread of coronavirus, they do create additional burdens for communities already faced with challenges. Social distancing puts low-income residents and families at-risk of losing their sources of income and access to services they depend on for survival. People experiencing homelessness may not be able to find food or medical assistance. People with disabilities may not have immediate access to transportation or other services that make daily life possible. 

Several local organizations are working to ensure that residents across the region have access to food, medical care and other necessary supplies to weather the pandemic. Here’s a growing list of local organizations that are providing assistance to vulnerable communities:

Martha’s Table

Martha’s Table, based in SE Washington D.C., provides early childhood education, food and nutrition access and community supports. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, it has expanded its food services. It has partnered with other food programs to provide groceries and diapers at pop-up markets across the region. There is no limit to shopping at these public markets, and no ID is required.

Capital Area Food Bank

Capital Area Food Bank is a hunger relief organization based in NE, D.C. Normally, the organization works with over 450 nonprofit partners to provide food assistance to residents all across the region. Some of its distribution locations have had to close in recent weeks, but the food bank still has many locations operating all across the District, and select counties in Maryland and Virginia. Click here for a list of all currently operating locations.

The Capital Area Food Bank’s hunger lifeline is a one-stop resource for getting connected to food assistance services in your community. Lifeline staff provide information on local food pantries, community kitchens serving free meals, and other organizations that can provide food assistance. 

To access the Hunger Lifeline, call 202-644-9807 or email hungerlifeline@capitalareafoodbank.org.

Miriam’s Kitchen

Miriam’s Kitchen is based in NW, Washington D.C. The organization usually provides meals, social services, like assistance with applications to social security and disability benefits, and even a therapeutic creative and art space called Miriam’s Studio. Although the studio is closed, Miriam’s Kitchen is continuing its hot meal and social service programs. It has moved its meal services to white tents in its courtyard where clients can pick up food to-go and its street outreach teams are distributing liquid hand soap to people experiencing homelessness. For more information, click here or email info@miriamskitchen.org.

Bread for the City

Bread for the City has two centers based in SE and NW D.C. The organization regularly provides food, clothing, healthcare, social and legal services to the community. Due to the pandemic, the SE center is closed. But food assistance, medical care, and legal and social services are still available via phone. Click here for more information on all of the services this organization provides.

Christ House

Christ House is based in NW, Washington D.C. The organization is a medical respite facility for men experiencing homelessness. A staff of physicians, nurses and nursing assistants are prepared to perform tests, change dressings and provide vaccinations. Even during the pandemic, the staff is prepared to admit new patients. Click here for more information.

Children’s Law Center

Children’s Law Center is an organization based in NW, Washington D.C., focused on representing children in court, and providing resources for every child in the District. During the pandemic, Children’s Law Center has been working with other organizations to maintain updated information on food access, housing and shelter services, legal services and other resources. Click here for a list of mental health, legal, social and medical resources, as well as grocery markets across the District.

DC Central Kitchen

DC Central Kitchen is an organization based in NW, Washington D.C., with a goal of fighting hunger and food insecurity throughout the District and providing culinary job training. During the pandemic, the organization is offering to-go breakfast and lunches for D.C. youth and providing more food deliveries to shelters. Click here for more information.

DC Hunger Solutions

DC Hunger Solutions is an organization based in NW, Washington D.C., working to end hunger in the nation’s capital. The organization offers application assistance for residents applying to SNAP (also known as Food Stamps) and offers referrals to other nutrition assistance programs across the District. For help applying to SNAP, call 202-640-1088 or email info@dchunger.org. Click here for more information.

Food and Grocery Pantries

Martha’s Table Common Market

2375 Elvans Road SE, Washington D.C. 20020
Monday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Diaper distribution is available Monday to Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Martha’s Table Maycroft Market

1474 Columbia Road NW, Washington D.C.
Monday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Martha’s Table McKenna’s Wagon

2nd and H Streets NW, Washington D.C.
Daily: 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
15th and K Streets, NW

For more information about food programs offered by Martha’s Table, click here.

Miriam’s Kitchen Hot Meal Distribution

2401 Virginia Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20037
Daily Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Daily Dinner: 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Bread for the City Grocery Pantry

1525 7th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Monday to Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

DC Central Kitchen Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch (for youth)

Benning Courts Community Center
1713 Benning Road NE, Washington D.C. 20019
Monday to Friday: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Brightwood Communities Community Center
5805 14th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20011
Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Carver Hall Community Center
2338 Pittle Place SE, Washington D.C. 20020
Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Children’s Health Center @ THEARC
1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington D.C. 20020
Daily: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Congress Park Community Center
1345 Savannah Street SE, Washington D.C. 20032
Monday to Friday: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Frederick Douglass Community Center
1427 Cedar Street SE, Washington D.C. 20020
Monday to Friday: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

King Towers Community Center
1220 12th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20005
Monday to Friday: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Park Naylor Community Center
2574 Naylor Road SE, Washington D.C. 20020
Monday to Friday: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The Pentacle Community Center
1509 Benning Road NE, Washington D.C. 20002
Monday to Friday: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Health, Social and Legal Services

Miriam’s Kitchen (Social and Legal Services)

2401 Virginia Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20037
Daily: 6:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.; 2:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Call 202-452-8926, extension 1 for more information.

Bread for the City (Medical Care)

1525 7th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001.
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Call 202-386-7020 to schedule an appointment.

Christ House (Medical Care)

1717 Columbia Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
Open 24/7; Call 202-328-1100 for more information.

This list is being updated. If you know of other organizations in the Washington D.C.-Metro region providing support services to low-income families, people experiencing homelessness or people with disabilities during the public health crisis, please contact Kojo Show producer Richard Cunningham at cunning@wamu.org.