Opportunities to Serve


  • Rental Security Deposit Assistance Program (RSDAP)

    Fairlington's Rental Deposit Assistance Program provides one time grants up to $300 toward a security deposit to help individuals experiencing homelessness or living on a low-income move to safe housing they can afford in Arlington and Alexandria. Even when someone qualifies for affordable housing they are often required to pay market rate security deposits which often range from $1,000 to $2,000 and can be a major barrier to securing housing.   Download the Program Info


    Join the Club! To help sustain this mission with a consistent source of funding, make a commitment for twice-yearly contributions to the RSDAP fund. We will send reminders twice a year in March and September.                          Sign up on-line HERE.


    If you would like to donate to the Rental Security Deposit Assistance Program fund, you can give here: 


    For more information or if you are a community service provider and would like to apply for a Rental Deposit Security Assistance grant for one of your clients, please email Carolyn Devilbiss at secdepositfumc@gmail.com.


  • ALIVE!

    (ALexandrians In Volved Ecumenically) is an interfaith, interdenominational organization made up of over 40 religious congregations. ALIVE! serves thousands of Alexandrians annually with shelter; low-cost early childhood education and childcare; financial help for rent, utilities, medical care and other critical needs; emergency food; and deliveries of donated furniture and housewares.

    Click Here for the ALIVE! Newsletter. 


    The ALIVE! Housewares Program which is located at Fairlington UMC, ALIVE! Housewares Program accepts donated housewares, including pots and pans, utensils, towels, sheets, blankets, dishes, and silverware. We need reular help with sorting and deliveries. This is a great opportunity for all ages including Youth and Young Adults. Contact FUMC Office, office@fairlingtonumc.org.


    Farmer’s Market Gleaning is an opportunity to collect leftover food from the Del Ray Farmer's Marker to be distributed during Last Saturday Food Distribution and the Home Deliveries Program. Meet at the Del Ray Farmer's Market 11:30am each Saturday to collect leftover food, drive it to the warehouse, unload it and sometimes sort it. This takes about 2 hours. If you are interested, contact Rolf Blank, rolfb444@gmail.com.


  • Food Distribution

    FUMC is continuing our partnership with Alive! by hosting a monthly food distribution pop-up. Every 3rd Saturday of the month we need a team of 6-8 volunteers to hand out food to our neighbors. 


    DATE CHANGE: Pop-up food distributions will be changed to the 2nd Saturday of the month for  December (December 10th.)


    Sign up to volunteer: 

    SIGN UP HERE

  • Caring for God's Creation

    Fairlington UMC has a Green Covenant, which means that Fairlington commits to care for God's Creation and participate in the healing of creation. Fairlington participates in this through learning and teaching, worship, implementing sustainable practices as a church and individuals, and through mission. Caring for Creation has done this through leading workshops, providing a water fountain with a water bottle refill station, purchasing and using cloth napkins, and creating and caring for native plant areas and gardens around the church. If this is an area of mission you are interested in, contact Doug Brown, dojabrown@hotmail.com.


    The ALIVE! Garden is an organic vegetable garden located on Fairlington's playground. Food grown in the garden is donated to ALIVE! for distribution. Volunteering in the garden is a wonderful opportunity for all ages! To volunteer, contact Anne Wilson, wilsanne@gmail.com.

  • Just Neighbors

    Just Neighbors provides immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees and seeks to foster mutual understanding among the immigrant community of Northern Virginia and the larger community in which they live. If you are interested in volunteering with Just Neighbors, contact Bryce Chadwick, brycechadwick@gmail.com.

  • West End Lazarus Ministry

    West End Lazarus Ministry provides emergency financial aid to people in the City of Alexandria who are in crisis situations; experiencing homelessness, poverty, the disability, and chronic unemployment. Volunteer counselors take phone calls, make referrals and provide financial assistance.  Fairlington makes substantial financial contributions to the program.


    There are volunteer opportunities to be trained as a counselor.  If you are able to speak Spanish, that would help provide additional assistance. If you would like to volunteer, contact Pastoral Assistant Jackie Weavill Donoghue at jackie@fairlingtonumc.org.