Taking care of yourself and your family can be hard when you don’t have enough food. Or when the foods you can afford are not healthy or filling. This is called food insecurity. Food insecurity can be incredibly stressful. It can be particularly hard for pregnant women and loved ones who support them. It can lead to negative health outcomes for the whole family.
If you are having trouble knowing where your next meal may come from, there are a number of resources that may be able to help:
Virginia 211: 211 Virginia is a free, confidential, and accessible service. It helps people get connected to community resources and services. Whether you need assistance with housing, food, healthcare, or other services, 211 Virginia can help. You can call 211, or visit their website to chat, email, or text them for assistance.
Find a food bank:
- Federation of Virginia Food Banks (Virginia)
- Feed More (Virginia)
- Feeding America (National)
If you are pregnant or recently postpartum, or have a loved one who is, see if you are eligible to receive food benefits through Virginia WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
See if you are eligible to receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
See if you are eligible for Virginia SUN Bucks. This helps families cover the cost of groceries during the summer when most schools are not in session.
Learn more about other federally-sponsored school meal programs and if your child may be eligible for them.