Hunger Free Alexandria has been awarded the 2017 Bishop's Award for the establishment of the West End Pantry on Oct. 24, 2016 at Church of the Resurrection.

Hunger Free Alexandria, a consortium of 30 local community leaders, churches and non-profit organizations, was established after an analysis of food hardship in 2014 found that although Alexandria is one of the wealthiest communities in the nation, one of five people, disproportionately children, are living in households struggling to make ends meet.

The West End food pantry was established through a collaborative effort of all eight Alexandria Episcopal churches with Hunger Free Alexandria and Alive! as partners in the effort. It is the first food pantry located in the West End where many immigrants and low-income seniors live and where the need for food assistance is great. Since the food pantry was opened it has served 555 people in 161 families. The pantry offers a variety of fresh and canned foods and is open 5-6:30 p.m. so that people can stop by after work.

The award ceremony will be held at the 222nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m.