Our Story

VISION

Arlington EATS envisions an engaged and active community in which everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food and understands the causes and effects of food insecurity.

Mision

Arlington EATS’ MISSION is to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.

Values

JUST Compassionate Connected Respectful

Timeline

1991
The Arlington Food Pantry started in 1991, during the first Iraqi War, when a group of individuals from the Town, churches, and community feared that necessities, like fuel and food, may be rationed. After an initial food drive, the group realized that hunger was an ongoing issue in Arlington and the food pantry became a monthly service and was located in the basement of Church of Our Saviour in East Arlington for 26 years.
2014
In 2014, a group of churches, nonprofits, and the Town met to discuss food needs in Arlington. Out of that discussion the food pantry hired its first staff member and opened a second site at 117 Broadway with more frequent and improved accessibility. Another outcome of the discussion was a group of parents and school staff formed the original Arlington EATS and started a summer lunch program for families who rely on school meals to keep their kids fed. The program eventually added a snack program at all the Arlington public schools and a monthly community dinner.
2017
In 2017, Arlington EATS and the Arlington Food Pantry merged to accomplish one incredible mission, to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.
2019
In 2019, the Arlington EATS Market temporarily moved to St. John’s Church, 74 Pleasant St, while the building on Broadway was demolished and reconstructed by the property owner, Housing Corporation of Arlington. This four story building will provide needed affordable housing units and the first floor will become the EATS headquarters.
2020
In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Arlington EATS led a coalition of local agencies to respond to the need. For the health and safety of our community, EATS suspended in person programs and launched a home delivery program to ensure that all Arlington residents had access to nutritious and sufficient food.
2022
A long awaited dream was realized as Arlington EATS opened its first permanent facility at 117 Broadway in November.
Today
Today Arlington EATS has eight programs to serve our neighbors. Each week Arlington EATS distributes over 15,000 pounds of food to 450 households.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Strategic Priority #1

PROGRAMS

Distribute nutritious food to people in need

OBJECTIVE #1: Increase access to food for Arlington residents who are food insecure

OBJECTIVE #2: Promote a culture of continuous improvement that requires programmatic decision-making to be based on data and core values

Strategic Priority #2

VOLUNTEERS

Engage volunteers who contribute a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge

OBJECTIVE #1: Leverage the volunteer assets that are already part of Arlington EATS and attract a continuous cycle of new volunteers

OBJECTIVE #2: Provide opportunities for community members to contribute to solving the problem of food insecurity

Strategic Priority #3

ENGAGEMENT

Engage the Arlington community broadly in education and efforts to reduce hunger and economic inequality

OBJECTIVE #1: Increase visibility of how poverty and social injustice contribute to food insecurity

OBJECTIVE #2: Provide town-wide leadership on the implications that local, state and national policies and socioeconomic disparities have on residents facing food insecurity

Strategic Priority #4

OPERATIONS

Ensure Arlington EATS’ organizational health and sustainability

OBJECTIVE #1: Diversify and grow revenue streams, including foundation grants and individual gifts

OBJECTIVE #2: Ensure the new space is designed to meet the current and future needs of Arlington EATS

OBJECTIVE #3: Continue to develop a supportive and stimulating work environment in order to attract and retain competent and dedicated staff members