Best Food Assistance in Virginia — 15 resources

About Food Assistance for Women

Food assistance for women and families centers on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), the National School Lunch Program, Feeding America food banks, and Meals on Wheels. WIC serves pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to age 5, providing food packages, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding peer support — household income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. SNAP eligibility is generally 130% FPL. Food banks operate in every state and typically require no application for an initial visit. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, WIC clinics, and regional food bank networks.

Food Assistance in Virginia

Virginia has Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts handling custody, visitation, and child support (for unmarried parents and modifications), plus Circuit Courts handling divorce. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under DSS. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria are the largest cities. Central Virginia Legal Aid and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance serve women.

15 Resources

1. Virginia SNAP Benefits — Free

Virginia SNAP at DSS provides EBT benefits to eligible low-income women and families. Apply online at CommonHelp.Virginia.gov or call (855) 635-4370 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Special rules apply for pregnant women, college students with dependents, and seniors.

(855) 635-4370 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Feeding Virginia — Free

Feeding Virginia at 2221 Edward Holland Dr Suite 104 in Richmond is the state association of Virginia's seven Feeding America food banks. They coordinate disaster response and statewide hunger advocacy. (804) 521-2500 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(804) 521-2500 · 2221 Edward Holland Dr Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23230 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. Virginia WIC Program — Free

Virginia WIC at VDH supplies EBT credits for specific food groups plus breastfeeding peer support to pregnant women, postpartum moms, infants, and kids under 5. Find your local WIC clinic by calling (888) 942-3663 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(888) 942-3663 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Capital Area Food Bank — Northern VA — Free

Capital Area Food Bank distributes through 400+ partner pantries across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William. Find a pantry at capitalareafoodbank.org or call (202) 644-9800.

(202) 644-9800 · 4900 Puerto Rico Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia — Norfolk — Free

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore at 800 Tidewater Dr in Norfolk serves Hampton Roads with mobile pantries, school backpack programs, and partner-pantry distribution. (757) 627-6599 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(757) 627-6599 · 800 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA 23504 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. FeedMore — Richmond — Free

FeedMore at 1415 Rhoadmiller St in Richmond combines a food bank, Meals on Wheels program, and Community Kitchen serving 34 counties in central Virginia. Free home delivery for seniors. (804) 521-2500 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(804) 521-2500 · 1415 Rhoadmiller St, Richmond, VA 23220 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. SNAP — Food Stamps — Free

USDA's SNAP page explains the federal rules — income limits, allowable expenses, student-eligibility carve-outs — Virginia DSS follows when reviewing a woman's application at fns.usda.gov/snap.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. WIC — Women, Infants, and Children — Free

USDA's WIC page at fns.usda.gov/wic links to state WIC offices; Virginia's program is run by the Department of Health. Eligibility is income plus a nutritional-risk assessment.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Feeding America — Find a Food Bank — Free

Feeding America's zip-code search returns the correct Virginia food bank — Capital Area, FeedMore, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, Federation of Virginia Food Banks, or Feeding Southwest Virginia.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. USDA Summer Meals — Free

USDA Summer Food Service Program funds free meals at Virginia parks, libraries, and schools each summer. Text FOOD to 304-304 or call 211 to find the nearest open site.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Meals on Wheels America — Free

Virginia Meals on Wheels affiliates (FeedMore in Richmond, Senior Connections, Virginia Beach MOW, and 60+ others) deliver hot meals to homebound seniors — relevant for elderly Virginia mothers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. No Kid Hungry — Free

No Kid Hungry funds Virginia school breakfast expansion and supports summer EBT. Text FOOD to 304-304 to find free kid meals when school is out.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. AmpleHarvest.org — Free

AmpleHarvest.org connects Virginia gardeners with surplus produce to local pantries — particularly active during peak harvest months in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. USDA National Hunger Hotline — Free

1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) connects callers to live operators who locate the nearest Virginia food assistance — pantries, SNAP enrollment help, summer meals. English and Spanish.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Bread for the World — Free

Bread for the World lobbies for federal SNAP and WIC funding — research and policy briefs useful for Virginia hunger advocates.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many food assistance resources are in Virginia?
Women's Corner tracks 15 food assistance resources for women in Virginia.
Are food assistance resources in Virginia free?
15 of the 15 listed food assistance resources in Virginia are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Virginia have food assistance resources?
Listings span cities including Richmond, Washington, Norfolk.
What are some examples of food assistance resources in Virginia?
Featured entries include Virginia SNAP Benefits, Feeding Virginia, Virginia WIC Program, Capital Area Food Bank — Northern VA, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia — Norfolk.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 15 Virginia food assistance listings include phone numbers.
How do I apply for WIC?
Apply at your local WIC clinic — find it at SignUpWIC.com or call 1-800-942-3678. WIC serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women plus children under 5 in households up to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. You'll get monthly food benefits (formula, milk, eggs, produce, cereal), nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support. Bring ID, proof of address, and proof of income.
What if I'm waiting on SNAP approval?
If you have under
00 cash and under
50 income this month, ask for 'expedited SNAP' — benefits must be issued within 7 days. Otherwise, regular SNAP takes up to 30 days. While waiting: visit your local food bank (no appointment needed at most), call 211 for emergency food, and check if your kids qualify for free school meals through the school office (no application needed if you get SNAP/TANF/Medicaid).
Can a food bank help me without an appointment?
Yes — most food pantries operate on walk-in distribution days, usually weekly or biweekly. Find your closest one at FeedingAmerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank or call 211. Bring ID and proof of address (a piece of mail is fine). You don't need to be on SNAP. Many pantries also have diapers, formula, period products, and pet food.
Does SNAP cover diapers, formula, or period products?
SNAP does not cover diapers, formula, or period products — these require WIC (formula), the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN.org), or local pantries. Some states have created separate diaper subsidy programs; check your state Human Services agency. Period product access has expanded — many schools, food banks, and DV shelters distribute them free.