If you are facing financial hardship or a temporary crisis in Fairfax County, church assistance programs and faith-based ministries offer essential aid, such as food, clothing, and help with rent and utility payments.
To access direct financial assistance, the first step should always be to call the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) office at 703-222-0880. CSP serves as the coordination hub for both county and faith-based organization funds. Most local churches manage their aid directly through CSP to verify residency and distribute emergency assistance for rent or utilities.
The primary regional and localized church assistance programs across Fairfax County include:
County-Wide & Broad Regional Ministries
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) serves individuals and families across nine zip codes in western Fairfax County (including Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Herndon, and Oak Hill). Its primary goal is to act as a safety net to prevent eviction, utility service disconnection, and food insecurity.
How to get help from WFCM
Schedule an appointment: Assistance—whether for the food pantry or financial aid—is arranged by appointment only. You can contact their Client Services team by calling 703-988-9656 or emailing clientservices@wfcmva.org.
The CSP referral pathway: For significant financial assistance requests, it is strongly recommended that you first call Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. CSP assesses your overall situation and directly refers eligible cases to WFCM’s local fund.
The Salvation Army – Fairfax Corps
The Salvation Army Fairfax Corps provides essential emergency social services to residents of the City and County of Fairfax. From their headquarters at 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, they manage various programs aimed at preventing evictions, utility shut-offs, and hunger.
How to request assistance
Direct contact: You can start the process by calling the Fairfax Corps office at 703-385-8700 to check for immediate fund availability and confirm appointment requirements.
Submit an application online or via email: The National Capital Area Command allows residents to download and email an emergency assistance application to expedite the intake process. You can view current steps on The Salvation Army’s “Get Help Portal.”
Gathering documentation: For any financial assistance request, you will generally need to provide photo identification, proof of residency in Fairfax, proof of income, and an official utility shut-off notice or an eviction notice from your landlord.
FACETS
FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services) is a key social safety net in Fairfax County, supported by a coalition of more than 30 local churches. They operate out of the Burkholder Administrative Center, located at 10700 Page Avenue, Suite 160, Fairfax, VA 22030.
How to Request Assistance
Immediate emergency requests: If you need food, hot meals, or diapers right away, call the FACETS front desk directly at 703-352-5090.
Housing and comprehensive financial assistance: Like most major county partners, FACETS channels its primary requests for housing stabilization and financial assistance through Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) department by calling 703-222-0880. CSP will conduct an initial assessment and assign your case to a FACETS case manager if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) operates as a highly personalized, grassroots community outreach ministry within the Catholic Church. In Fairfax County, the organization is structured into individual parish-level “conferences” throughout the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
Unlike centralized charitable organizations, SVdP relies entirely on local volunteers (known as Vincentians) who review requests and conduct personal home visits to assess the best way to provide material, financial, and emotional support.
How to Request Help From a Fairfax County SVdP Conference
Since SVdP is organized according to parish boundaries, you should contact the specific helpline that covers your geographic area. You do not need to be Catholic to receive assistance.
| Location / Parish Community | Contact Method | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna & Surrounding Areas (Our Lady of Good Counsel Conference) | Helpline: 703-938-3210 | Serves struggling families in Vienna and adjacent neighborhoods. |
| Fairfax City / Central County (Holy Spirit Parish Conference) | Helpline: 703-272-8218 | Monitors messages daily to assist central county residents. |
| General Regional Voicemail (Fairfax Community Resource Routing) | Helpline: 1-800-873-0613 | Main line to leave a message if you are unsure of your parish boundary. |
Note: When leaving a message on any SVdP helpline, speak clearly and state your full name, phone number, current home address, zip code, and a brief description of the bill or food assistance you need.
The Lamb Center
The Lamb Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that operates as a daytime resource center for people experiencing homelessness or living in extreme poverty. It is located at 3160 Campbell Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Unlike many other ministries that focus strictly on providing cash or emergency food, The Lamb Center offers a physical community space where visitors (referred to as “guests”) can access comprehensive, holistic services.
Church coalitions by location
Since many programs are restricted to specific zip codes, you can look for the coalition serving your specific locality or district:
Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring, and Merrifield: Contact the Committee for Helping Others (CHO) at 703-281-7614 for emergency assistance with food, clothing, furniture, and utilities.
Southeast Fairfax County: Contact Fairfax FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help) at 703-978-0280 for immediate financial assistance, clothing, food bank access, and gas vouchers.
Franconia District: Contact Koinonia at 703-971-1991 for specialized local financial and food assistance. McLean, Great Falls, and Pimmit: Contact Share of McLean at 703-229-1414 for financial assistance, food, furniture, and refurbished computers.
Direct Church Resource Centers
Fairfax Church Resource Center: Distributes basic household items, hygiene products, food, and clothing to families. (Note: A referral from a social services professional or caseworker is generally required.)
Good Shepherd Catholic Church: Operates an emergency assistance program that helps community members along the Alexandria/Route 1 corridor with basic needs, such as rent and utility payments.
