Donate to Our Community Food Bank and Fight Hunger Today

Help us support those in need through our community food bank, providing vital food supplies to families facing hardship. Every donation ensures access to nutritious meals, groceries, and essentials for vulnerable community members. Your generosity not only feeds the hungry but also brings hope and stability to struggling households. By contributing, you play a key role in reducing food insecurity and creating a compassionate, caring community where no one goes without. https://hijrah.org/donations/food-bank

1. Dar Al-Hijrah Community Food Bank Nourishing neighbors with dignity, faith, and action The Dar Al-Hijrah Community Food Bank serves families across Northern Virginia with fresh, nutritious, and culturally respectful food assistance. A community food bank is more than a pantry—it's a bridge from crisis to stability. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

2. About Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Who we are Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as a spiritual home and social services hub in Falls Church, VA. Tax ID: 31-1256417. Mission in action Faith-inspired service that uplifts our neighbors through food security, emergency aid, workforce development, and community wellness. Guiding values Dignity, equity, stewardship, and partnership. Our community food bank welcomes all—regardless of faith, background, or legal status—because hunger knows no boundaries. Why it matters When families face a sudden crisis, a community food bank can stabilize budgets, reduce stress, and improve health outcomes. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

3. Understanding Food Insecurity The challenge Food insecurity means limited or uncertain access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life. Families often must choose between rent, medication, and groceries. Local reality Costs for housing, transportation, and essentials remain high, stretching working families and seniors. A community food bank provides predictable, stigma-free support that helps close this gap. Global context Food bank networks report sustained high demand post-pandemic. Crises, disasters, and economic shocks have made supports like our community food bank indispensable. Health and dignity Access to fresh produce, proteins, and culturally appropriate staples improves nutrition, well-being, and a sense of belonging. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

4. What Is a Community Food Bank? Definition A community food bank is a centralized hub that sources, stores, and safely distributes food—often to partner pantries, or directly to households—using equity-focused, efficient operations. How it works Sourcing: Retail rescue, farmers, wholesalers, and community drives Safety: Temperature control, halal compliance, and food handling standards Distribution: Drive-up/walk-up lines, delivery to homebound neighbors Wraparound supports: Referrals to benefits, social services, and wellness checks Why it's different Unlike a small pantry, a community food bank coordinates logistics, volunteers, and partnerships at scale to maximize impact and reduce waste. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

5. How Dar Al-Hijrah's Program Operates Inclusive registration All who are in need are welcome to register for our community food bank, regardless of faith, background, or legal status. Halal and nutritious Weekly distributions emphasize fresh produce and halal chicken to respect dietary needs while prioritizing nutrition. Operations backbone • Intake and data: Simple, dignity-first registration and household updates • Procurement: Local partners, faith-based charities, and community donors • Logistics: Safe storage, cold chain handling, and routing for delivery Equity lens Priority support for seniors, families with children, and the homebound. Our community food bank ensures resources reach those most vulnerable first. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

6. Weekly Distribution: Where, When, What Schedule Every Thursday, 9:00–11:00 AM (or until food runs out). Location 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 (Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center). What's provided Fresh produce, halal chicken, bread, and essential staples—curated to promote balanced meals. Access options Drive-up/walk-up lines; doorstep delivery for homebound neighbors coordinated by volunteers. Registration Simple intake and photo ID requested. Our community food bank ensures a welcoming, organized experience guided by volunteers. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

7. Impact and Resilience: COVID-19 and Beyond Rapid Response With buildings closed, Dar Al-Hijrah pivoted to outdoor drive-up/walk-up distributions and volunteer deliveries to maintain continuity of care as a community food bank during the pandemic. Early Outcomes In just two weeks, volunteers delivered 3,000+ bags of fresh vegetables, halal chicken, and bread. Food deliveries surged to 5× normal volume during peak demand as community needs grew exponentially. Whole-Person Support Volunteers made wellness check-in calls to elders and isolated neighbors; helped a mother secure life-saving medications post-hospital discharge; and assisted a family fleeing domestic abuse to find shelter—proving our community food bank serves beyond nutrition. Continued Need Demand remains elevated due to cost-of-living pressures. A strong community food bank ensures steady access to nutrition through every season, creating resilience against economic uncertainty. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

8. The Wider Lens: Global Food Banking Network Why scale matters Food banks worldwide faced sustained demand in 2023, demonstrating the ongoing need for food security solutions across communities. Key highlights (GFN 2023) • 40 million people served across 45 countries • 654 million kg of food distributed (~1.7 billion meals) • Nearly 40% of distributed food was fruits and vegetables • An estimated 1.8 million metric tons of CO2e avoided via food recovery • 300,000 volunteers contributed 3.5 million hours • 76,000 local partner organizations engaged Takeaway Our community food bank is part of a global movement that reduces hunger and food waste while strengthening local resilience. Together, we're creating sustainable solutions for food security. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

9. Evidence-Based Operations Operational excellence Research on food bank operations highlights proven methods—optimization models (MILP/LP), dynamic planning (DP), and efficiency analytics (DEA)—to route vehicles, schedule volunteers, allocate inventory, and minimize waste. Practical outcomes for a community food bank Fair, efficient lines and delivery routes Reduced spoilage with better cold-chain timing Volunteer scheduling that matches peak demand windows Data-guided equity to prioritize the most vulnerable Why it matters Blending compassion with science stretches each donated dollar and expands healthy meal access. A community food bank that operates efficiently can serve more people with the same resources while reducing food waste. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

10. Volunteer: Lend Your Time and Heart Roles that matter Distribution line support Packing produce boxes Delivery drivers Intake/registration Wellness calls Multilingual assistance Shifts and safety Thursday morning distribution shifts (9:00–11:00 AM), plus preparation days. Full training provided on safe lifting techniques, food safety protocols, and client confidentiality. All volunteers receive orientation on cultural sensitivity and dignity-first service. How to start Sign up through Dar Al-Hijrah's volunteer page or visit the Social Services desk in person. Our community food bank thrives on consistent, compassionate volunteers who bring diverse skills and backgrounds to serve our neighbors in need. Why volunteer matters Volunteers are the backbone of our community food bank. Your regular commitment helps us maintain consistent service, build relationships with recipients, and stretch every donated dollar further. One volunteer shift can help distribute food to over 100 households. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

11. Donate: Fuel the Mission Give today Your generosity keeps shelves stocked and deliveries moving. Every donation to our community food bank helps ensure no one in our community goes to bed hungry. Ways to give Credit Card Google Pay PayPal Daily Giving Zelle Zelle: Send directly to [email protected] or [phone] In-kind: Shelf-stable foods (beans, tuna, rice, pasta, peanut butter), fresh produce, diapers, hygiene items Workplace giving & matches: Amplify impact via employer matching programs What your gift does Your donations support halal proteins and fresh produce, cold storage maintenance, delivery fuel, and multilingual outreach materials. Recurring monthly gifts help our community food bank plan with confidence and ensure consistent service. Make it monthly A recurring donation of just $25 monthly can provide fresh produce for 10 families each week. Set up automatic giving on our website or through your bank's bill pay service. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

12. Stories of Hope "After my hospital discharge, I couldn't afford the medication I needed. Dar Al-Hijrah's volunteers connected me to assistance right away—and brought healthy food to my doorstep." "A mother and her children fleeing abuse found a safe path forward with help from our Social Services team—food first, then housing support." "Our weekly wellness calls remind elders they're not alone. The box on the porch and a friendly voice can brighten a whole week." Why we serve A community food bank nourishes bodies and restores dignity. Every bag, every delivery, every call is a promise that our neighbors matter. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-536-1030

13. Take Action Today Visit & Register Donate Now Food Bank Distribution every Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM. Simple registration with photo ID requested. All are welcome regardless of faith, background, or legal status. Support online or via [email protected]. Recurring gifts sustain consistent access to fresh, halal, and nutritious food for our community food bank. Volunteer Join our welcoming team to make an immediate difference. Distribution, packing, delivery drivers, and wellness calls all need your support. 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044 703-536-1030 Watch our food distribution: YouTube A strong community food bank turns compassion into action—week after week, neighbor to neighbor. Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization | Tax ID#: 31-1256417