Q: Review 2025— What were the challenges and the successes?
Meng: Our big challenge was dealing with the number of families we served last year. It peaked in November with an average of 4,200 families but at some point we saw 5,898 unique families. That was a total record for us.
Also inflation is hurting all of us but when you’re buying for 5,000 families it starts to hurt. And changes in SNAP requirements which go into effect in January with the new work requirements will put extra stress on the families.
Our success I think is that we were able to serve all of these families. We are committed to serve all of the families who come to us. And I can rely on a fantastic group of staff members who are committed to the issue and come to work just raring to go and don’t complain.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026 what are the challenges and the goals?
Meng: We will face very much the same challenges in 2026 as Federal workers are laid off until there is a change in the administration. We expect the number of families to increase. We live in a generous community who care deeply about food insecurity and so far donations have kept up with the need. The County will give us $1.4 million this year but it will take almost $11 million to operate AFAC. In 2025 my food budget was $1.5 million over the projection for the year.
It is a big problem with immigration because of the fear factor. We don’t know how many of the people we serve are illegal; it doesn’t matter to us, but it creates fear in the community. It is important for AFAC to be seen as a safe place. Biden had excluded food pantries from ICE intervention but not anymore. Thankfully we have not seen ICE activity here but that doesn’t mean families aren’t scared. There have been two incidents on the block recently requiring police. A lot of families will leave the food line when they see police.
One of our goals has been to focus on how to improve food, to increase the quality and the variety of fresh fruit and vegetables we offer.
But the real goal this upcoming year will be space more than anything else — receiving, storing and processing what looks like 6 million pounds of food this year. We are at capacity. The whole issue of space and how it affects our mission to continue to operate at capacity — can I find a third building in Arlington or will I need to go outside? Somebody here has to think about the future. That’s my job.