September is both Hunger Awareness and National Preparedness Month. Thousands of Arlingtonians are food insecure, which may be exacerbated by storm preparation.

The Arlington Food Assistance Center has food donation boxes at every public library in Arlington. While donating nonperishable items, Arlingtonians may also learn about how to stay safe and prepared barring an emergency.

According to the Arlington County Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, when a disaster occurs victims may have to provide their own shelter, food, water, sanitation, and first aid, which may be difficult for those who are food insecure.

“We have about 31,500 individuals in Arlington alone that are food insecure and we’re reaching maybe a third of those,” said Aisha Salazar, cooking and nutrition manager for AFAC, “We’re still trying to find those other people that we can’t reach.”