Food Security Grant Fund

What is the CCPTA Food Security Grant Fund?  

In the Fall of 2026, the Arlington County Council of PTAs (CCPTA) started an official Food Security Grant Fund. CCPTA membership opened the fund with a $2,000 commitment to food security to support Arlington Public Schools (APS) students on days off school.

Weekends, holidays, teacher workdays, and extended school breaks can mean something different for families who rely on school-based meals and food resources.

PTAs across Arlington are uniquely positioned to recognize needs within their own school communities and develop responsive, local solutions — from meal bags for extended breaks to other food-security initiatives.

To spread awareness of and kick off the Fund, CCPTA launched Its "Fill the Break" Fundraiser, running from September 10th through December 12, 2026.

Incorporating a friendly competition between PTAs, "Fill the Break" Is Intended to raise more money for the Food Security Grant Fund. APS school PTAs or other Arlington entities serving APS students at at least one APS school can then apply for mini-grants to support their food security efforts on school breaks.

Through Fill the Break, CCPTA Is building a shared pool of resources to help member PTAs do that work.

How can PTAs/PTSAs or individuals contribute to the CCPTA and the Food Security Grant Fund?

Donations may be made online at https://www.givebacks.com/causes/arlington-ccpta/campaigns/arlingtonccpta 

or checks may be mailed to:

Arlington CCPTA
Attn: Food Security
2110 Washington Blvd.,
Arlington, VA 22204

*Please write the name of the APS PTA or PTSA you wish to receive credit for your donation on the memo line.

Who can apply to receive a grant from the CCPTA Grant Fund?

APS PTAs or PTSAs or  other Arlington entities with a project serving APS students at at least one APS school.

Grant awards are based on the proposed food-security initiative and available funding. A PTA's fundraising total or participation in the Fill the Break Challenge has no bearing on its eligibility for or priority in receiving a grant.

What type of projects are funded?

All applications must be approved by the principal at the applying school. Full guidelines here.

• Funds for snack packs to deliver to students for consumption on a snow day.

• Funds to assemble meal bags to distribute to students for a long holiday weekend.

• Funds for gift cards to grocery stores to give to the school's social worker for distribution.

• Funds for resuseable totes for an ongoing meal distribution plan.

• Funds to stock an onsite pantry for a long weekend over parent-teacher conferences.

Why do we need such a program in Arlington County? 

Unfortunately, significant economic and racial segregation continues to exist in our community and continues to create disparities across our County and our schools. While disparities are certainly an issue APS should be addressing, it is also an issue every PTA/PTSA should be considering: how we serve our students, how we work to be inclusive, and how we advocate for equal access and equity in our school communities and at the County level.  PTAs/PTSAs can have a significant impact either by exacerbating or by addressing funding inequities among our schools.

The goal of the CCPTA Food Security Grant Fund is to facilitate APS students' access to food on days/breaks off of school.