Fairfax County Community Resources Grants Discounts And Assistance Programs

Fairfax County offers a variety of resources, programs, and opportunities that provide financial relief, free services, and valuable items to residents. These include volunteer programs with promotional items, environmental grants for restoration projects, free tax assistance, restaurant discounts for federal employees, donation and recycling options, and community support services. While not traditional product samples, these programs provide tangible benefits and resources that can significantly help county residents.

Volunteer Opportunities with Promotional Items

Fairfax County Retirement Systems Outreach Team offers volunteer opportunities that come with promotional items and benefits. The program is designed to help county employees learn about retirement benefits while assisting their co-workers.

The Retirement Systems Outreach Team is recruiting volunteers in specific categories including Transportation, Food Service, Part-Time Teachers, Custodial, and Trades/Maintenance positions. Participants receive:

• Paid training and lunch
• Free promotional items (referred to as "freebies" or "swag")
• Detailed information about the county retirement system
• Resources to share with co-workers
• Updates on retirement-related news and events

The program seeks up to two volunteers per school or team. Interested individuals can contact Nicole Daly at [email protected] or David Lyons at [email protected] for more information. Volunteers are trained at the ManTech Building located at 12015 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Suite 350, Fairfax, VA 22033.

This opportunity provides both educational value and promotional items while allowing participants to contribute to their workplace community.

Environmental Grants and Plant Programs

Fairfax County residents and organizations have access to several grants and programs that provide free plants and funding for environmental projects:

Earth Sangha Plant Grants

The Earth Sangha offers Plant Grants designed to support grassroots restoration projects with limited funding. The program helps projects that would otherwise be unable to engage in environmental restoration. Awardees are eligible to visit the Wild Plant Nursery for seasonal Plant Grant Donation Days. The Spring Plant Grant Application period is currently open, with details and applications available at www.earthsangha.org/plant-grant.

School and Scout Pollinator Plant Kits

Watermark Woods provides Pollinator Plant Kits specifically for schools and scout groups. These kits support pollinator conservation efforts and educational activities for youth organizations.

Occoquan Reservoir Shoreline Stabilization Grants

Property owners immediately contiguous to the Occoquan Reservoir can apply for shoreline stabilization grants. These grants are available to both individual property owners and homeowners associations, helping to prevent erosion and protect water quality.

Free Milkweed for Restoration Projects

Large-scale restoration projects (two acres or more) can access free Milkweed plants through Monarch Watch and partner nurseries. These grants are awarded in February and March and are available to: - Parks - Federal, State, County or City agencies - Businesses - Schools - Scout groups - Private organizations - Individuals

Funding for various environmental projects is also available through Fairfax County, with summer application periods for individual homeowners and rolling applications for institutions such as HOAs and faith communities.

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services supports the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) coalition, which provides free tax preparation services to eligible residents. In-person VITA services are available at multiple locations throughout the county including Alexandria, Falls Church, Herndon, Reston, and Annandale. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointments are necessary.

Services are available through April at various dates and times. Residents can obtain more information by emailing [email protected] or calling 703-533-5320.

When preparing for a VITA appointment, individuals should bring: - Photo ID for themselves and spouse (if filing jointly) - All income statements (W-2, W-2G, 1099, etc.) - Income statements for each working dependent - Social Security card or ITIN letter for all family members - Voided check for direct deposit - Expense documents (dependent care, education-related expenses, home mortgage interest payments) - Forms 1095-A from the Marketplace for those claiming the Premium Tax Credit

The program also provides information about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable tax credit supporting working individuals and families with low to moderate income, particularly those with children. For those who prefer to prepare their own taxes, free online tax preparation and filing options are available through federal and state governments for people within certain income limits.

Restaurant Discounts for Federal Employees

During government shutdowns, local businesses in Fairfax County show support for federal employees by offering discounted services. Honeygrow, a fast-casual restaurant chain with locations in Virginia and Maryland, has offered a 20 percent discount to federal workers impacted by shutdowns.

Participating Fairfax County locations include: - Fairfax City Mall: 9600 N Main St., Suite N, Fairfax, VA 22031 - Fair Lakes: 13044 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA 22033

The discount is straightforward to access - federal employees can select "pay at register" at checkout on the kiosk and present a valid government-issued ID at the register. According to the company, there are "no complicated forms. No red tape. No politics. Just delicious noodles, crunchy salads, and sweet honeybars."

These discounts provide immediate relief to federal employees experiencing financial hardship during shutdowns, allowing them to maintain some normalcy and enjoy meals at reduced cost.

Donation and Recycling Resources

Fairfax County offers numerous options for donating unwanted items and recycling materials, giving residents alternatives to throwing away usable goods:

Donation Opportunities

• Upcycle CRC accepts art and craft supplies, containers, fabric, sewing and fiber art supplies, jewelry supplies, metal items, and more. A complete list of accepted items and donation instructions is available at upcyclecrc.org.
• Fairfax County Public Library friends' groups accept gently used books, CDs, and DVDs, with all proceeds benefiting the library. Friends group locations can be found at research.fairfaxcounty.gov/friends-of-the-library.
• Fairfax County Animal Shelter accepts donations of gently used fleece blankets, bath and hand towels. More information is available at FairfaxCounty.gov/animalshelter/donate.

Thrift Stores Supporting Local Causes

Several thrift stores in Fairfax County accept donations and sell items at low prices, with proceeds supporting various community organizations: - Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Thrift Shop (proceeds benefit Inova Fair Oaks Hospital) - Second Chance Thrift and Gift Store (proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Fairfax County) - Clock Tower Thrift Shop (special program of Northern Virginia Family Services) - Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) (donated goods help individuals and families in need) - The Closet (profits distributed as grants to local non-profit organizations benefiting low-income families)

Electronics Recycling

Residents of Fairfax County can recycle unwanted or outdated electronics, including computers, televisions, monitors, and rechargeable batteries. The county allows up to 10 items per visit per household at the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex. A complete list of accepted items and preparation instructions is available at FairfaxCounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/electronics.

These donation and recycling options help extend the useful life of items while supporting local causes and reducing waste in the community.

Community Support Services

During times of financial hardship, such as government shutdowns, Fairfax County provides various support services to help residents:

Coordinated Services Planning

The Coordinated Services Planning hotline (703-222-0880) connects people with community resources. The Department of Family Services assists eligible residents with enrollment in programs such as: - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Medicaid

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

Fairfax County Public Schools allow families experiencing income loss or disruption to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any point during the school year. If approved, students can continue receiving meal benefits for the remainder of the school year and up to 30 days into the following year, even if family income improves.

These services provide critical support during challenging economic times, ensuring that basic needs are met and helping families maintain stability.

Conclusion

While Fairfax County may not offer traditional product samples or promotional items in the way that commercial brands do, the county provides numerous resources and programs that deliver significant value to residents. From volunteer opportunities with promotional items to environmental grants, free tax assistance, restaurant discounts, donation programs, and community support services, Fairfax County offers multiple avenues for residents to save money, access resources, and contribute to the community.

These programs collectively address various needs - from financial assistance and education to environmental conservation and community support - demonstrating the county's commitment to resident well-being and community building. For those seeking to maximize resources and minimize expenses, understanding and utilizing these county-sponsored programs can provide substantial benefits.

Sources

1. Fairfax County Retirement Systems Outreach
2. Plant Nova Natives Grants, Discounts, and Freebies
3. Free Tax Preparation Help Available
4. Discounted Prices for Feds Facing Government Shutdown
5. Downsize and Declutter: What to Do With Your Unwanted Stuff
6. Fairfax Officials and Local Businesses Offer Resources for Federal Workers