NW Community Food pantry is in search of a new home

Ward 3’s only food pantry is a grassroots effort that sprang up during the pandemic. NW Community Food now serves 300 households every week, and the pantry’s director told ANC 3F’s February meeting that she expected the federal government job cuts would increase the need.

NW Community Food is itself in need… of a new base of operations. It’s been distributing food and cleaning and personal hygiene products from UDC-donated space at 4225 Connecticut Avenue, but director Judith Ingram told the ANC commissioners that UDC is now pursuing development plans for the site and that the pantry needs to move out by the end of May. Ingram said UDC’s vice president of Real Estate and Facilities Management told her his office is “aggressively” searching for another space the pantry can use, and is “prioritizing the search,” but she also welcomes leads from the community on potential permanent or temporary homes. Contact the pantry at nwdcfood@gmail.com.

ANC 3F will vote at its meeting on Tuesday, March 18th on a resolution in support of Northwest Community Food and its continued existence. See below for the entire draft agenda and the Zoom link.

In the meantime, we can see to the pantry’s most immediate needs. For this Sunday’s distribution, it’s in search of bar soap, shopping bags, facial tissues, surgical masks, and dog and cat food. NW Community Food also says fresh citrus fruits, cooking oil, coffee, and tea are always welcome. It accepts donated items every Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The supplies are handed out between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sundays, in the alley behind 4225 Connecticut and across from Giant Food.

ANC 3F Public Meeting Agenda
March 18, 2025
7:00 until 9:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Link

▪ Welcome Call to Order and Roll Call [7:00 pm]

o Adoption of the March Agenda and approval of February 2025 meeting minutes

▪ Regular Agenda-Community Forum [7:05 pm}

o MPD: Lt. Bobette Forrest
o MOCR: Owen Cox
o Van Ness Main Street: Gloria Garcia
o UDC: Juanita Gray
o Councilmember Frumin: Shantise Wynn-Brown
o Community Announcements

▪ Commissioner Updates [7:20 pm]

▪ Committee Reports [7:30pm]

o Housing and Neighborhoods: Teri Huet
o Streets & Sidewalks: Paul Harrison
o Parks & Watersheds: Mitchell Baer
o Schools & Universities: Sue Guzman

▪ Regular Agenda-Special Projects [7:50pm]

o DC Water: Report and Q&A on Albemarle/32nd Street construction
o DOEE: Linnean Gully Outfall

▪ Regular Agenda-Votes [8:10 pm]

o Proposed Resolution: NW Community Food Continuing Operations
o Proposed Resolution: Apartment Indoor Air quality
o Proposed Resolution: Retaining PKEEP Funding
o Proposed Resolution: Urging the use of Housing First Model in Administering PSH
Vouchers

▪ Commission Business [8:50 pm]

o Treasurer’s Report: Sue Guzman
o Expense: Social Media Outreach
o Expense: Forest Hills Connection Partnership/Outreach

▪ Adjournment

The next ANC 3F meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at 7PM