Church Assistance Programs in Fairfax County

Fairfax County church assistance programs offer emergency financial aid, rent payment assistance, food distribution, and support for the homeless through a network of faith-based non-profits and parish-based aid groups. Since many local church programs coordinate directly with county social services or require a prior assessment, the most reliable point of contact for emergency help with rent or utility bills is usually the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) office, reachable at 703-222-0880. However, several large regional faith-based organizations do manage direct assistance programs:

Church & Faith-Based Assistance Programs in Fairfax County

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) provides emergency food assistance, financial aid for rent and utilities, and family support services to eligible low-income residents living in nine designated zip codes in western Fairfax County (including Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Herndon, and Oak Hill).

Client-Choice Food Markets

What is offered: Food items including fresh produce, meat, dairy, non-perishables, personal care items, diapers, and baby formula. Clients can shop in person once every 30 days or use home delivery options.

Locations:

Chantilly Market: 4511 Daly Drive, Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151

Centreville Market: 5948 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, VA 20121

Emergency Housing Financial Services Program

What is offered: Direct financial grants to help cover crises related to rent, mortgages, or utility bills, aiming to prevent eviction or service disconnection.

Supplemental and Seasonal Support

Includes school backpack food programs, holiday food distribution, nutrition workshops, and satellite food refrigerators located at local schools. Eligibility Requirements and Geographic Limits

To qualify for WFCM’s financial and food pantry services, households generally must have an income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and reside in one of these 9 zip codes:

20120, 20121, 20122, 20124, 20151, 20171, 22030, 22033, 22039

Application Requirements and Contact Information

To be assessed for financial assistance or to schedule appointments at the food pantry, applicants should prepare the following documentation in advance:

• Photo ID for all adults in the household
• Proof of income (recent pay stubs, bank statements, or benefit notification letters)
• Proof of residence (lease agreement and a recent utility bill)
• Household documentation (birth certificates or school records for children)
• Phone: 703-988-9656

Email: clientservices@wfcmva.org

Website: Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)

The Salvation Army Fairfax VA Corps

The Salvation Army Fairfax VA Corps offers emergency financial aid, food assistance, and seasonal community programs for Fairfax County residents facing unexpected financial hardship.

Emergency Financial Assistance

What is included: Direct financial assistance aimed at preventing eviction (rent or mortgage aid) and avoiding utility shut-offs (electricity, gas, or heating fuel bills).

Hours: Financial assistance processing generally takes place by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Food pantry and supplemental provisions

Weekly food pantry: Food assistance is offered on Wednesdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Drive-thru food distribution: Operates monthly (usually the third or fourth Monday of the month, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to distribute boxes of non-perishable food and other items directly to local families.

Seasonal and youth programs

Includes distribution of clothing and school supplies for the back-to-school season, winter heating bill assistance, and the annual “Angel Tree” Christmas gift program.

Location and contact information

Address: 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030

Main phone: 703-385-8700

Official website: The Salvation Army Fairfax Corps

How to request assistance

For emergency financial assistance, funds are subject to availability and require a formal assessment. The process can often be started by phone or by downloading forms via the Salvation Army National Capital Area “Get Help” portal to submit them by email in advance. Please have the following ready: photo ID, proof of household income, and documentation verifying the financial crisis (such as an overdue bill notice or an eviction/lease default notice).

Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program

The Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program (managed by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, or CCDA) provides short-term financial aid, material assistance, and essential crisis interventions to low-income residents facing a temporary, non-recurring financial emergency.

Major Assistance Services

Rent and Mortgage Assistance: Direct financial aid paid to landlords or property managers to resolve eviction notices or situations of temporary housing instability.

Utility Bill Assistance: Intervention to prevent disconnection or restore essential services, including electricity, water, gas, and home heating fuel (heating oil/propane).

Vehicle Repair: Limited financial aid for car repairs, intended to help individuals maintain their means of transportation for work, school, and family stability.

Clothing and Food Support: Distribution of emergency vouchers for clothing and seasonal items, as well as access to food pantries (such as the Christ House Food Pantry in Alexandria).

Eligibility Guidelines & Limits

Geographic Scope: Serves residents of Northern Virginia counties within the Diocese of Arlington, including Fairfax County.

Crisis Criteria: Assistance is directed toward situations of temporary, one-time hardship, provided there is a high probability of maintaining future financial stability.

Frequency Limits: Due to high demand and limited funds, eligible clients generally may receive emergency financial assistance only once within a 12-month period and a maximum of twice within a 10-year period.

How to Request Assistance (Fairfax County Residents)

As walk-ins are not accepted for financial assistance assessments, applicants must schedule an appointment in advance:

Fairfax Regional Phone Line: 703-548-4227

Intake Email: EA-CH@ccda.net

Official Website: CCDA Emergency Assistance Portal

Note: Be prepared to submit supporting documentation digitally or to bring it to an assigned office (such as Christ House in Alexandria or the diocese’s regional offices). Required documents generally include an official photo ID, proof of household income, a current lease agreement, and formal notification of overdue debt, an eviction notice, or a utility shut-off notice.

The Lamb Center

The Lamb Center is a day resource center located in Fairfax, Virginia, serving individuals experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty by providing basic necessities, medical care, and comprehensive stabilization programs.

Basic Daily Services for Guests

Nutritional Support: Offers free hot breakfasts and lunches daily.

Hygiene Facilities: Provides showers, towel service, and restrooms for guests.

Laundry Service: On-site laundry facilities for guests to care for their clothing.

Communication and Mail: Guests may use The Lamb Center as a secure mailing address, use the center’s phones, and receive confidential messages.

Comprehensive stabilization and case management

Case management: Setting individual goals to help people process housing applications, obtain essential identification documents (birth certificates, Social Security cards), and access government benefits (disability, veterans’ benefits).

Health services: Features a clinic staffed by nurse practitioners available twice a week, in addition to the coordination of physical and mental health services through Fairfax County community outreach programs.

On-site dental clinic: Regular, free visits from volunteer dental professionals providing preventive and restorative care to uninsured or homeless clients. Employment and job readiness: Collaborates with Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax on community work programs that offer hourly pay for public space maintenance, as well as providing guidance on resume writing.

Legal and recovery support: On-site pro bono legal counseling (usually Monday mornings) and support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.

Location and hours

Address: 3160 Campbell Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: 703-691-3178

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

Official website: The Lamb Center

Fairfax FISH / Local church assistance programs

Fairfax FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help) is an all-volunteer, ecumenical assistance network made up of 14 local churches in the Fairfax City metropolitan area. It offers short-term emergency financial aid, essential items, and support services.

Major services offered:

Financial support: Emergency grants (available once every 12 months) paid directly to providers or landlords to cover overdue rent, mortgage payments, or utilities (electricity, water, gas, heating fuel), as well as urgent prescriptions or medical and dental treatments.

Gasoline assistance program: Vouchers are provided in coordination with local gas stations to help individuals travel to work, job interviews, training programs, or medical appointments.

Food banks: Distribution carried out in collaboration with member churches (including Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Little River United Church of Christ, and Providence Presbyterian Church).

Clothing bank: Clothing resource accessible directly at Fairfax Presbyterian Church (10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030); open Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) and the first Saturday of each month. No prior referral is required to access the clothing bank.

How to request financial assistance

To receive financial grants (for rent, utilities, or prescriptions), Fairfax FISH uses the county’s centralized assessment system rather than handling direct walk-in requests at churches:

Initial contact: Call the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) office at 703-222-0880 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Initial assessment: A county social worker will assess the household’s financial situation and send a referral directly to Fairfax FISH if eligibility criteria are met.