FLARE, an amenity electric shuttle service, along with the Aurora Highlands Civic Association, collected and delivered over 800 lbs. of food donations from the Crystal City area for the Arlington Food Assistance Center on Saturday, March 21, and announced that food collection efforts will continue in the Crystal City area starting today.
“We were astounded to witness the generosity of friends and neighbors in the Crystal City area to donate much-needed food for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Over 800 lbs. of food collected filled an entire FLARE shuttle,” said FLARE CEO Andres Delgado.
FLARE worked with the Aurora Highlands Civic Association to collection donations for this food drive. Miriam Gennari, vice president of the Aurora Highlands Civic Association, said, “Our goal was to be careful while being neighborly. Collecting for AFAC was the first step. The next will be figuring out techniques along with the Crystal City/National Landing business improvement district to ensure citizens are communicating their needs so we can support one another.”
Given the success of this initial effort, starting today, FLARE, in partnership with the Crystal City Civic Association and Crystal City Business Improvement District, has added food donation boxes in 10 apartment buildings in Crystal City, and will deliver these donations to the Arlington Food Assistance Center on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until April 30.
“We are grateful to play a part in helping the community during this challenging time, and have added food donation boxes in several Crystal City apartment buildings to continue assisting this community,” Delgado said.
“We’re all in this together, and our partnerships show what we can do to help one another and those most in need,” added Carol Fuller, president of the Crystal City Civic Association.
Food collection boxes can be found at the following Arlington locations: Crystal Lofts (305 S. 10th Street); Waterford House (1200 Crystal Drive); Crystal Gateway (1300 Crystal Drive); Crystal Park (1805 Crystal Drive); Crystal City Shops (2100 Crystal Drive); Crystal Plaza (2111 Richmond Hwy.); We Live (2121 23rd Street); Crystal Flats (505 S. 18th Street); Crystal Towers (1600 S. Eads Street); and Crystal House Apartments (1900 South Eads Street).
Food items that are in greatest need by AFAC are: rice, pasta, low-sugar cereal, canned tomatoes, canned soup, canned tuna fish, and canned beans (no glass).
If any neighborhood or organization would like to partner with FLARE to establish additional food donation sites and pickups, please email [email protected].