The Food Policy Council has compiled this list of resources available during the 2025 shutdown, including resources that are always available as well as those only available now. Although this list focuses on food resources, the DC government has created a broader list of resources for those affected by the Federal government cuts and the 2025 government shutdown, including resources about filing for unemployment. You can find it here. This list was last updated on November 12, 2025.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
UPDATE ON SNAP & WIC FUNDING: On October 30, Mayor Bowser announced that she authorized the use of local funds to ensure Washingtonians who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) receive their November benefits despite the ongoing federal shutdown. As of 11/10, all November benefit payments have been issued to DC SNAP customers.
SNAP: 141,000 District residents rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program run by the Department of Human Services (DHS), to supplement their grocery budget. As of Monday, November 10, 2025, all November benefit payments have been issued to DC SNAP customers, helping thousands of Washingtonians put food on the table this month despite the uncertainty surrounding the federal shutdown. The District was the only jurisdiction in the country to issue full monthly benefits on time to all SNAP customers – using a combination of local and federal dollars. $18.5 million of the total cost was paid using local contingency funds, and $8.1 million was paid using federal dollars in accordance with USDA guidance. The District has no plans to revoke or undo the SNAP payments it has already processed for November.
There is no change to the DC recertification schedule for SNAP: the best way for residents to check when they need to recertify and to get any additional information about changes is to create a District Direct account and connect their benefits. District Direct is a convenient mobile application (mobile app) that allows residents to apply for public benefits available in the District. Applications for food, cash, and medical benefits, and verification documents, may be submitted through the mobile app. Through the app, District residents may also complete public benefit recertifications and mid-certifications, view upcoming and past benefit distributions, and update personal/household information. Learn more here.
DHS is still taking applications as usual: more information about how to apply for SNAP is available here.
WIC: The Women, Infants, and Children is open and operating, with no changes to service at this time. Residents can use WIC benefits as issued on eWIC cards and should attend scheduled WIC appointments. Please contact your WIC clinic for any additional questions. For urgent needs, call 202-442-9397.
School Meals: The Federal programs that support school meals – the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program – have no anticipated changes to service at this time.
Families impacted by the government shutdown with school-age children may apply for free school meals through their school. Local Education Agencies are encouraged to reach out to families who may be impacted by the government shutdown to offer them a free and reduced-price meal application. These services are always available.
Seniors: The DC Office on Aging and Community Living operates 40 community dining sites in all eight wards of the city, serving daily lunch Monday through Friday, for residents 60 years of age and older. Visit DACL’s website for more information. These services are always available.
Farmers Markets & Healthy Corner Stores: Many District Farmers Markets and Healthy Corner Stores receive federal funding for their SNAP Match programs. These programs will be continuing through the federal shutdown.
FreshMatch at Farmers Markets will provide up to $30 per customer regardless of SNAP balance on a customers’ account through the end of 2025: find participating markets here.
Finding Food Maps: Looking for a comprehensive list of sites and places for food? LinkUDMV has the ability to find all kinds of ongoing sites near you. You can also find Capital Area Food Bank partners on their site, here.
DC Federal Support: Website dedicated to various resources for Federal workers living in the District. Click here for more information.
FREE GROCERY & PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS:
DPR Vegetable Giveaways: Department of Parks and Recreation has 4 weekly vegetable giveaways across the city. These services are available from May to November, annually. Learn more and register at DPR Weekly Veggie Giveaways
- Powell Communal Farm, 3149 16th Street NW, Every Thursday, 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- Edgewood Rooftop Farm, 301 Franklin Street NE: Every Tuesday, 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE: Every Wednesday, 11:00 AM – 12: 00 Noon and every Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Bread for the City: District residents can visit Bread for the City’s NW (1525 7th Street, NW) or SE (1640 Good Hope Road, SE) Centers for a five-day supply of groceries. Bread for the City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty. Learn more here.
Capital Area Food Bank: The Capital Area Food Bank distributes food to over 400 food assistance programs in the D.C. area. Their Hunger Lifeline (202-644-9807) can direct those in need to the closest program. Some offer groceries, while others offer free meals. This service is always available. Visit their website for more information.
Martha’s Table: All guests are welcome to shop for fresh produce and pantry items at Martha’s Table’s no-cost markets. This service is always available.
- Martha’s Table Market at the Commons (2375 Elvans Road, SE): Open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Martha’s Table Market at the Maycroft (1474 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009: Open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Martha’s Table also offers hot meals 365 days out of the year downtown at New Jersey and I St NW (5:15 – 5:40 pm) and 19th and H St NW (from 6 – 6:25 pm). Learn more here: McKenna’s Wagon – Martha’s Table
- Martha’s Table offers many other programs for families through their Joyful Food Markets for families at specific schools. Learn more here
THEARC: THEARC farmers harvest vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers from our network of farms in Southeast DC and bring them to you for free every Friday! Capital Area Food Bank donates thousands of pounds of fresh produce. DC Central Kitchen gives out prepared meals. And we have lots of other treats for you monthly: cooking demonstrations, free local business products, hiring fairs, and more! Building Bridges is here to make the quality of life better for Ward 8 residents. Don’t miss out–join us!
MEALS FOR FURLOUGHED STAFF
Although this list focuses on food resources, the DC government has created a broader list of resources for those affected by the Federal shutdown and Federal workforce reductions. You can find it here.
THANKSGIVING RESOURCES
Nonprofits across the District and the Department of Parks and Recreation have committed to providing support for District residents Thanksgiving meals. Most listed here are single day pickup, but those listed below are recurring:
- Bread for the City Holiday Helpings: Mondays – Fridays from Nov 3 – Nov 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. DC residents (with ID) can receive a turkey (or chicken) and fixings and fresh produce. Pickup at 1700 Marion Barry Ave SE or 1525 7th Street NW. Learn more at https://breadforthecity.org/holidayhelpings/
- Giant Food Thanksgiving Meal: Free Thanksgiving meals (for four) to help residents impacted by the Federal Shutdown and SNAP benefit pause. Must register here: https://form.typeform.com/to/pBWf9JIc?typeform
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ENDED:
FRESHFARM Markets: FRESHFARM is expanded food access services at all FRESHFARM markets in DC, Maryland, and Virginia and DC partner locations. For the weeks of the shutdown, all SNAP users were able to present their SNAP/EBT card at the FRESHFARM market information tent to receive $30 in FreshMatch to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables, regardless of whether they had funds on their EBT card. Furloughed or unpaid federal workers were able to receive the same $30 FreshMatch benefit for fruits and vegetables.
People’s Market DMV: People’s Market DMV provided a free half box of produce to furloughed workers.
Central Union Mission: Central Union Mission is served groceries to furloughed federal employees in need of food support at their Family Ministry Center (3194-B Bladensburg Rd., NE, Washington, DC), Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Groceries will be available while supplies last through our Emergency Referral Program. People seeking assistance must bring a government-issued ID and agency work badge/ID. For more information, visit missiondc.org
CAFB Distributions for Furloughed Workers: To support federal employees and contractors affected by the government shutdown, the food bank is holding additional food distributions at locations throughout its partner network. These new food distributions will offer boxes of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce for the duration of the shutdown. These new food distributions will begin the week of October 20th. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.
| Tuesdays 12pm-2pm No Limits Outreach Ministries: 7721 Barlowe Rd, Hyattsville, MD, 20785 | Wednesdays 10am – 12pm Seneca Creek Community Church: 13 Firstfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 |
| Fridays 11am-1pm United Community: 7511 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306 11am-1:30pm Urban Outreach: 5343 C St SE, Washington, DC, 20019 | Saturdays 1:00pm-2:30pm LindaBen Foundation: 10739 Tucker St Beltsville, MD 20705 |
While these restaurant meals have ended, we are leaving them here to lift up the work of these businesses should those who have the capacity to do so want to support these businesses and nonprofits.
- Every weekday during the shutdown from October 27 onwards, WCK foods truck were stationed at the US Navy Memorial Plaza (in front of National Archives) and at Washington Canal Park at 200 M St SE from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., serving thousands of meals to federal employees and their families.
- Baked by Yael (3000 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.): Furloughed federal employees and contractors could get a free bagel or cakepop through the shutdown. Zoo employees required to work without pay could choose additional options. For more information, visit their site.
- The José Andrés Group offered free dine-in lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday for federal employees at several restaurants. Those participating included Jaleo, China Chilcano, Zaytinya and Oyamel Cocina Mexicana.
Many more restaurants offered discounts for Federal furloughed employees. You can find a list of discounts and special meals: