In the Community
See Us in Action
Promoting unity in the Community through quality programs that bring about abundant life — a free, farmers market-style food distribution bringing fresh food to every family, every week, with no cost ever.
Seventy-five thousand people. One grocery store. A fifteen-year life expectancy gap. This is the reality Dr. Roach set out to change.
Ward 8 has one full-service grocery store for 75,000 residents — no regular farmers' markets. Residents survive on processed corner-store goods, driving disproportionate rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Dr. Mary A. Roach treats this as the public health emergency it is.
What if the prescription was fresh produce? What if the clinic was a park? What if every family could access care — with free, no cost, no barriers?
We partner with grocery stores across the DMV to bring fresh produce, lean proteins, and nutrient-dense foods directly to Ward 8 every single week.
From the back of a truck to the hands of a family — this is what radical accessibility looks like.
One pharmacist decided that Ward 8 deserved the same quality of care as any neighborhood in America. So she built it herself.
Our Mission
"Our mission at Jehovah Jireh Community Development Center (The JJ Center) is to promote unity in the community through quality programs that bring about abundant life for individuals of all ages, races, sexes, ethnicities, creeds, national origins, disabilities, veteran status, and gender identities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. We are dedicated to fostering well-being through our community-focused health clinics and other supportive programs, ensuring access to resources and nurturing environments for learning and growth."
Dr. Roach founded The JJ Center on a conviction that food insecurity is not a resource shortage — it is a public health crisis requiring a clinical response. A licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she has dedicated her career to the health, dignity, and economic empowerment of Ward 8 residents.
Recognized by national organizations, universities, and media for 20+ years of impact in Ward 8.
Create your free account and get live pantry updates, exclusive health videos, and access to every program — right in your pocket.
Create an account to receive live pantry updates and stay connected to every program serving Ward 8. Health & wellness videos, workshops, and more are coming soon.
Create your free account to receive live pantry updates and stay connected to everything happening in Ward 8.
Create My Free Account → Already have an account? Sign in →Schedules, videos, workshops, alerts — your member dashboard puts the full power of The JJ Center at your fingertips.
Live pantry updates and more — all in your dashboard. Additional features coming soon.
See this week's times and last-minute changes. Never miss a distribution.
🟢 LiveExclusive videos from Dr. Roach, MDs, PharmDs, and Nutritionists on managing chronic disease.
Coming SoonRegister for on-site Healthy Living workshops — diabetes, nutrition, blood pressure control.
Coming SoonGet notified about holiday drives, new services, special events, and community announcements.
Coming SoonPersonalized nutrition guides and chronic disease resources curated for your household.
Coming SoonHealthcare professionals and community volunteers can book shifts. Browse open roles on Idealist.
View on Idealist →Churches, businesses, healthcare professionals, philanthropists — every partner multiplies the impact for Ward 8 families.
Your organization can make a direct, measurable impact on health and lives in Ward 8.
Fund educational materials, glucose & blood pressure monitoring supplies, and fresh food demo kits for our medical team's multi-week workshop series.
Fund the weekly transportation costs of sourcing fresh, healthy food from grocery partners across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Healthcare professionals join our clinical volunteer rotation. General volunteers assist with dignified, community-facing food distribution events.
Transportation, fresh food, medical supplies, clinical expertise — your donation funds it all and keeps every distribution free.
Your donation funds fresh food, transportation, clinical workshops, and medical screenings — all free to every resident who needs them.
The JJ Center, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
Volunteer opportunities posted on Idealist — clinical, distribution & community roles available.