Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides low-income individuals and families residing in Fort Belvoir, Lorton, Newington and other portions of southeast Fairfax County with access to basic needs (food, clothing, seasonal programs, and financial assistance) along with adult and children's educational opportunities to strengthen self-sufficiency and empowerment including English as a Second Language (ESL), nutrition classes, personal budgeting, and other programs. LCAC also connects people with other programs in the area that will have a positive impact on a family's long-term health.

Founded in 1975, LCAC is a resource for individuals and families facing the prospect of being unable to pay for housing or other necessities either due to an unforeseen life-changing event (such as job loss, medical condition, or death in the family) or as a result of the large disparity between low incomes and a high cost of living. LCAC serves as a community resource in the following ways:  

Healthy Families - Our organization operates the only food bank in southeast Fairfax County and serves 200+ families each week.  Registered families are eligible to obtain food weekly.  The program is managed by full-time staff and more than 50 volunteers. The food pantry, which currently distributes three days each week and delivers to 36 vulnerable households, obtains food from three primary sources: private donations (individuals, faith groups and community groups), grocery stores, and the Capital Area Food Bank, where LCAC is able to purchase primarily perishables such as meat and vegetables at a discounted rate. This program also seeks to provide opportunities for nutrition education for adults and youth. Engaging in learning about food, nutrition and exercise can and does change lives, regardless of income. This program also serves seasonal food needs through the Thanksgiving and Holiday food programs, paying special attention to the needs of our senior and disabled households offering delivery of food for these programs.

Sustainability- LCAC offers direct financial assistance to prevent eviction or utility disconnection or for other emergency needs. All assistance is provided in the form of a check to a verified utility, rental or medical facility. Checks are issued only after verification of need with an outside entity (landlord, local utility, etc.). LCAC additionally provides case management, budgeting, clothing, and household items to qualifying families through this program.
     
Bridge- Through educational opportunities, LCAC strives to empower the people we serve. LCAC operates or partners to provide the following educational outreach programs: English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) courses (offered in partnership with the English Empowerment Center), writing programs for children (in partnership with George Mason University), budgeting, workforce development, computer classes, along with summer programming for children and youth. Children and teens additionally receive Back2School supportive supplies through this program.