LCAC Assistance Programs

Food Pantry

LCAC collects and distributes, on average, between 8 - 11 tons of food every month. The food program helps to feed hundreds of individuals and families every week. Many of these families with children would have to skip meals without the food assistance from LCAC. Food donations are always a critical need. LCAC partners with schools, community groups, faith groups and civic organizations to collect food for hungry families in southeast Fairfax County. To learn more about the food program, contact Alan Nicholas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How to help?

1. Food donations
   Drop off non-perishable food items. Please call the office at 703-339-5161 prior to coming by to ensure that a staff member and/or volunteer is available to assist you. Generally, a good time to drop off food is between 9 am - 2 pm on Monday and Tuesday and between 11 am - 3 pm on Wednesday - Friday.
2. Grocery Store Gift Cards
   Mail or drop off a gift card to either Bloom or Shoppers. Please be sure to note the dollar value of the card on the card itself.
3. Donate online
   Use the "Donate Now" button on our homepage to make a financial contribution to help support our daily operations of the food program and other emergency assistance efforts.
4. Mail a donation
   Prefer the tried and true tradition of writing a check! Excellent! Send a check made payable to "LCAC" to LCAC, P.O. Box 154, Lorton, VA 22199-0154

Current Food Needs

Please check to make sure that the food items are not past their expiration date.

Clothing

Clients that need clothing are given vouchers to shop at Lorton’s Attic, LCAC’s thrift shop, located at 9506 Richmond Highway in the Williamsburg Shopping Center. Click here to view directions to our Thrift Shop.Lorton’s Attic is owned and operated by LCAC. This resale shop provides quality recycled clothing and miscellaneous articles at minimal cost. For more information about Thrift Shop operations, click here. If you are in need of clothing, please contact Jannette Tococari at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Financial Assistance

LCAC provides emergency loans and grants to assist families with utilities, rent, mortgage, medical services and other essential needs. LCAC’s goal is to keep families from becoming homeless. We will help families to find matching funds from other community resources and agencies in order cover one-time financial crises. LCAC works closely with Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) in order to maximize available resources and avoid duplication. For more information, please contact Linda Patterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Financial assistance is offered in the form of a loan (in most cases), generally not more than $200 in a twelve-month period
• Complete financial paperwork is necessary, including a family budget
• Assistance is offered to prevent eviction, utility disconnection, and for prescription assistance
• Loans must be repaid by cash, through volunteering with an organization other than LCAC, or attending a budgeting/financial literacy course

Information and Referral

LCAC’s goal is to assist every person who turns to us, whether it is with a question or a crisis. Sometimes LCAC cannot help directly (for example if a family lives in another area), but we will always offer information about where to turn for needed services. LCAC works closely with other agencies and organizations in our area that may be able to offer assistance when LCAC cannot. For more information, please contact Linda Patterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Seasonal Assistance

LCAC is here to help individuals and families throughout the year.  Holidays and the beginning of the school year are particularly challenging times for low income families. LCAC offers seasonal assistance to help families during these difficult periods.

School Supplies
LCAC collects school supplies and backpacks from the community, houses of worship and civic organizations, and distributes them to needy families. If your organization wishes to help collect school supplies to be distributed to underprivileged children, please contact Linda Patterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Holiday
Holiday assistance is the largest outreach provided by LCAC. With the generous support of individuals, houses of worship, businesses and schools, LCAC provides special Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday baskets which include a full holiday meal. LCAC also provides gifts for children under the age of 18 and for senior citizens. For more information, please contact Linda Patterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Want more information on volunteering for our holiday outreach programs?

Contact Kathy Noone at 703-339-5161 ext. 12 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .