How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Virginia

16 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

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, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, and other regional LSC programs cover the state.

16 Resources

1. Virginia SNAP — Free

Virginia's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helping eligible low-income residents purchase healthy food at grocery stores and farmers markets. Benefits are loaded monthly onto the Virginia EBT card. Apply online through CommonHelp, by phone, or at your local DSS office. Income and household size determine eligibility. SNAP interviews can be conducted by phone. Benefits are typically approved within 30 days and within 7 days for emergency situations.

1-855-635-4370 · Apply online via CommonHelp or at local DSS office · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Virginia WIC Program — Free

Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental food benefits to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 who meet income requirements. WIC benefits can be used at authorized grocery stores for specific healthy foods. Appointments are required and are available at local health department WIC clinics. Call 1-888-942-3663 to find your nearest Virginia WIC clinic and learn about eligibility and what to bring to your first appointment.

1-888-942-3663 · WIC clinics throughout all Virginia health districts · Varies by clinic; appointment required · Visit Website

3. Feeding America Virginia — Free

Network of seven Feeding America member food banks covering all of Virginia, distributing food through thousands of partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters statewide. Use the Feeding America locator tool to find the food bank and partner agency nearest to your ZIP code. Services are free and no ID is required at most partner pantries. Food banks also distribute USDA commodity food and operate mobile distribution events across the state.

Search by Virginia zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Capital Area Food Bank (Northern VA) — Free

Serves Northern Virginia with food distribution through 450+ partner agencies including food pantries, meal programs, and community organizations. One of the largest food banks in the country. Use the agency locator on the website to find the nearest food pantry by ZIP code. No ID typically required at partner pantries. The food bank also distributes mobile pantry boxes at community sites and provides school backpack programs for children in Northern Virginia.

202-644-9838 · 4900 Puerto Rico Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017 (serves NoVA) · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Feed More (Richmond) — Free

Central Virginia's core hunger relief organization serving 34 counties and cities through food bank distribution, Meals on Wheels, a community kitchen culinary training program, and BackPack Weekend food for school children. Use the agency locator to find food pantries near you. Volunteers are welcome. Located in Richmond and distributing millions of meals annually across Central Virginia. Call or visit the website for pantry locations and current distribution schedules.

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

6. Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia (Norfolk) — Free

Serves the Hampton Roads region and Eastern Shore through 300+ partner agencies providing food bank distribution, mobile pantry programs, and nutrition education. Use the pantry locator on the website to find food assistance near your ZIP code. Most partner pantries do not require ID. The food bank also distributes fresh produce and hosts drive-through distribution events throughout the region. Call during business hours for information on the nearest food resources.

757-627-6599 · 800 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA 23504 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (Charlottesville) — Free

Serves 25 counties and 8 cities in central and western Virginia through 400+ partner agencies distributing food to families in need. Use the agency finder on the website to locate food pantries near your ZIP code. Mobile distribution and fresh produce programs supplement pantry access in rural areas. Located in Verona near Staunton. The food bank also offers BackPack programs for children and senior food box programs for elderly residents across the service area.

540-248-3663 · 96 Laurel Hill Rd, Verona, VA 24482 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Virginia 2-1-1 - Food Assistance — Free

Free statewide helpline connecting Virginians to nearby food pantries, hot meal programs, SNAP enrollment assistance, and emergency food resources. Dial 2-1-1 from any Virginia phone or visit 211virginia.org to search by location. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Specialists can also connect callers to utility assistance, housing, healthcare, and other human services beyond food. Multilingual assistance available for non-English speaking Virginia residents.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Virginia CommonHelp (Benefits Portal) — Free

Virginia's official online portal for applying to SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, FAMIS, and other state benefits in a single application. Check eligibility, submit applications, upload documents, and manage existing cases online at any time. Creating an account allows you to track your application status and receive notifications. For phone assistance call 1-855-635-4370. Bring Social Security numbers, income information, and household documentation to complete your application efficiently.

1-855-635-4370 · Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Central Virginia Food Bank (Richmond) — Free

Serves 34 central Virginia counties with food bank distribution to 300+ partner agencies including food pantries, meal programs, and social service organizations. Use the partner agency locator on the website to find food assistance near your ZIP code. No income verification or ID is typically required at partner pantries. The food bank also supports school-based food programs and senior nutrition services across the central Virginia service area. Volunteers and donations are always welcome.

804-521-2500 · 2804 Ackley Ave, Richmond, VA 23228 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Feeding Southwest Virginia (Salem) — Free

Serves 26 counties in Southwest Virginia with food bank distribution to partner pantries and community organizations. Located in Salem and reaching some of the most rural and food-insecure communities in the state. Use the food pantry locator on the website to find nearby partner agencies by ZIP code. Mobile distribution events bring food directly to underserved communities. No income documentation typically required at partner pantry locations across the Southwest Virginia service area.

540-342-3011 · 1025 Electric Rd, Salem, VA 24153 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

12. Meals on Wheels – Virginia — Free

Home-delivered nutritious meals for homebound seniors and people with disabilities across Virginia. Services are provided through local Area Agencies on Aging and community programs. Meals are typically delivered on weekdays and may include a frozen weekend meal. Costs vary but many programs offer sliding scale fees or are free for qualifying individuals. Dial 2-1-1 or contact your local AAA to find the nearest Meals on Wheels program and apply for home-delivery service.

211 · Programs statewide · Deliveries Mon-Fri · Visit Website

13. Virginia TEFAP – Emergency Food — Free

USDA commodity food distributed through Virginia food banks to low-income households at no cost through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Food items may include canned goods, dairy products, grains, and protein. Distribution is managed through local food banks and community organizations. Contact your nearest Virginia food bank or call 2-1-1 to find TEFAP distribution sites near you. No application required at most sites — bring a bag and show up during scheduled distribution hours.

Through local food banks · Hours vary · Visit Website

14. Summer Meals – Free Kids' VA — Free

Free summer meals for all children under 18 at designated Virginia Summer Food Service Program sites during school summer break. No registration, ID, or income verification is required — just show up during meal hours. Text FOOD to 304-304 or visit fns.usda.gov to find the nearest site by address. Sites include schools, libraries, parks, and community centers across Virginia. Meals are nutritious and free for every child regardless of family income or status.

Text FOOD to 304-304 · Sites statewide · Summer months · Visit Website

15. Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank — Free

Serves Fredericksburg and surrounding counties including Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George with food bank distribution and a network of partner food pantries. Use the pantry locator on the food bank website to find nearby food assistance. No ID typically required at most partner locations. The food bank also operates a community food center and participates in mobile food distributions throughout the region. Call or visit the website for current pantry hours.

540-371-7666 · 3631 Lee Hill Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

16. Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Hampton) — Free

Serves the Hampton Roads peninsula including Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and surrounding communities with food bank distribution through 300+ partner agencies. Use the agency locator on the website to find food pantries near your ZIP code. No ID typically required at most partner pantries. The food bank also provides fresh produce distributions, BackPack programs for school children, and senior food box delivery. Call during business hours to find local food resources.

757-596-7188 · 2401 Aluminum Ave, Hampton, VA 23661 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.