First Thursday Canceled In Del Ray, Food Drive Continues

UPDATE: Due to anticipated storms, the food drive is moved to Saturday, June 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Del Ray Farmers Market.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Del Ray's First Thursday on June 4 is canceled as Alexandrians honor George Floyd, an African American man who died in Minneapolis police custody.

The Del Ray Business Association urges the community to join the June 4 vigil or honor Floyd through other peaceful means. The food drive for Blessings in a Backpack will continue.

The food drive for Blessings in a Backpack provides food staples to Mount Vernon Community School children in need. All canned foods are accepted, but the most needed items are beans, rice and peanut butter. By 4 p.m. Thursday, plastic tubs or boxes will be placed on Mount Vernon Avenue at intersections from Hume Avenue to Braddock Road, in front of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, and on Commonwealth Avenue at the intersections with Braddock, Monroe, Alexandria Ave., Windsor, Del Ray and Ashby. Items will be picked up by 7:30 p.m.

If a rain date is needed for the food donations, it will be rescheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Del Ray Farmers Market.

The next peaceful Alexandria vigil will be held 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. According to the Facebook event page, there will be a prayer, moment of silence and remarks from community leaders. Face masks are encouraged.

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