December 12, 2020
Dear Fellow Marylander,
No one – anywhere, ever – should be without food. The holidays make this simple truth even more clear. They remind us of the importance of helping our neighbors and those organizations that address food insecurity head-on during so-called normal times and, especially, during the current pandemic.
Like never before, the pandemic is straining our economies, our families, and our lives. Far too many Marylanders have been or remain out of work, or are struggling to financially support themselves and their families. Many more hover dangerously close to the breaking point, one unforeseen circumstance away from financial insolvency.
Feeding America, the country’s largest hunger-relief organization, estimates that 17 million additional people in the U.S. could become food insecure because of COVID-19, bringing the total to more than 54 million people. This includes 18 million children.
For those who find themselves pushed to the edge and wondering how they will feed their children, or themselves, I want you to know that there is help out there.
Pre-COVID-19, I saw first-hand the dramatic difference to the physical and mental health of local residents that is made by the work of food banks and other local initiatives to feed the hungry. The importance of their efforts is difficult to overstate. They provide tremendous services to our communities, serving as a safety net and touching the lives of children and seniors when they need it most.
These efforts tackle hunger, which is urgently needed, but they also preserve hope. In the midst of this pandemic, hope is the human emotion frequently under the most stress. And during this and every holiday season, hope is always the right thing to celebrate – and to rededicate ourselves to inspiring.
Below is a list I wanted to share with you of some of the many Maryland organizations that are working hard to address food insecurity in their own neighborhoods and across our state. I offer this spotlight so that Marylanders in need will know there is a place to turn and those who do have enough on their plate will know what nearby organizations have stepped up to provide hope and nourishment to those in need. Please note that is far from a complete accounting of every such effort in the state. It is meant as a starting point.
Every person in Maryland should be able to put nourishing food on their holiday – and everyday – tables.
I salute all who work to achieve that vision. Please join me in celebrating their work this holiday season.
Ben Cardin
STATEWIDE
The Maryland Food Bank is responsible for providing more than 40 million meals to Marylanders annually. The Baltimore Office is the central hub for food distribution to central Maryland, as well as branches in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.
2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore
410-737-8282
To Get Help:
The Maryland Food Bank provides an online tool for those looking for a nearby food bank.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
For three-and-a-half decades, the Anne Arundel Food Bank has fought hunger in the local community.
120 Marbury Drive, Crownsville
410-923-4255
5646 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge
443-492-9209
BALTIMORE CITY
New Life Pantry has distributed more than a million pounds of food in the last two years.
2401 East North Avenue, Baltimore
443-800-0213
The Food With a Focus Fund was created to increase personal safety and decrease the spread of COVID-19 by finding a faster, more efficient method for food distribution. The joint effort of Thread, Baltimore Corps, and Wes and Dawn Moore is building a partnership among religious and community organizations to an increasing number of food distribution sites in West Baltimore.
Sarah Hemminger – Sarah.Hemminger@thread.org
Allison Buchalter – Allison.Buchalter@thread.org
Arshia Sethi – Arshia.Seth@thread.org
Rev. Al Bailey, 410-984-4959 Abailey@newpsalmist.org
BALTIMORE COUNTY
Agape Christian Church Food Pantry
100 E. Timonium Rd., Timonium
410-252-4255
CARROLL COUNTY
Carroll County’s principal food bank, based in Westminster, also has distribution points in Eldersburg and Taneytown.
To Get Help: https://ccfoodsunday.org/services-2/
CECIL COUNTY
Community Services Foundation of Cecil County
Help Center – 410-996-0260 helpcenter@cecilhelp4u.com
DMV
The Capital Area Food Bank leads the Washington D.C region’s efforts to provide good, healthy food to people struggling with hunger and food insecurity. Each year, it sources and distributes the food for more than 45 million meals.
To Get Help: www.capitalareafoodbank.org/find-food-assistance/
EASTERN SHORE
REGION-WIDE
Maryland Food Bank, Eastern Shore Branch
The Maryland Food Bank – Eastern Shore Branch distributes food to eight counties: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. In FY19, the branch distributed more than 5.5 million meals to food-insecure Marylanders.
Jennifer Small, 443.210.3008, small@mdfoodbank.org
CAROLINE COUNTY
Aarons Place/Living Waters Assembly
Cheryl Beulah, Food Ministry Coordinator, 410-479-0585
livingwatersmd@gmail.com
Martin’s House & Barn
Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, Executive Director, 410-634-2537
DORCHESTER COUNTY
Meals Til Monday works to end childhood hunger by sending home healthy, nutritious, and easy food options during times when children may not have access to consistent meals.
Leslie Bishop, Executive Director, 443-225-6789
leslie@midshoremealstilmonday.org
Delmarva Community Services
Rosetta Brown, Director, 410-901-2991 rbrown@dcsdct.org
KENT COUNTY
Kent County has six food pantries, with options in Chestertown, Millington, Ridgely, Rock Hall and Worton.
More info at:
mainstreetchestertown.org/covid-19-kent-county-food-pantry-info/
QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY
206 Del Rhodes Ave., Queenstown
410-827-7194
Krista Pettit, Executive Director, 410-739-4363
SOMERSET COUNTY
Catholic Charities – Seton Center
Seton Center is a multi-purpose neighborhood community center located in Princess Anne where staff members work to identify and respond to the needs of local residents, the Hispanic community, and the area’s migrant farm workers. It operates three distinct food distribution programs and a variety of other services.
30632 Hampden Avenue, Princess Anne
410-651-9608
Nicole Kurtz/Charlotte Phillips
TALBOT COUNTY
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Kathy Weaver, Food Pantry Director, 410-770-4505
svdpeastonmd@gmail.com
WICOMICO COUNTY
The Salvation Army
407 Oak Street, Salisbury
Latoya Ward, 410-749-7771
Emmanuel Wesleyan Church
Mark Thompson, Adopt-a-Block Coordinator, 443-783-4711
WORCHESTER COUNTY
814 Fourth Street, Pocomoke City
Shelly Daniels, Director, 410-957-4310
thesamaritanshelter@gmail.com
FREDERICK COUNTY
City of Frederick Maryland Food Bank
The Foodbank Program operated by the Frederick Community Action Agency provides a three- to five-day supply of food to families and individuals who are facing an economic crisis and cannot afford to buy their groceries. The FCAA Foodbank serves 600 to 800 households each month.
100 S. Market St., Frederick
301-600-3972
Glade Valley Community Services
Walkersville Town Hall, 21 West Frederick St., Walkersville
301-845-21793
HARFORD COUNTY
Harford Community Action Agency Food Pantry and Food Bank
The Community Action Food Pantry and Food Bank is an emergency and / or supplemental food source that is available once every 30 days to eligible clients in need of nourishment. Families receive enough wholesome fresh / canned fruits, vegetable, meats, milk products, and/or breads and pastries for 3-4 days, based on household size. The current income eligibility is 200% of poverty guidelines.
1321-B Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood
410-612-9909
HOWARD COUNTY
9385 Gerwig Ln J, Columbia
410-313-6185
This organization works to educate, inspire and engage the community about the necessity for gluten-free and allergy-friendly food and provide that safe food to those in need.
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia
443-741-1060
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Manna works to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education and advocacy.
9311 Gaither Rd., Gaithersburg
301-424-1130
Nourish Now is a nonprofit food bank, specializing in food recovery and providing donations from grocers, caterers, restaurants, bakeries, and other food donors for the benefit of children, families, and the elderly, as well as shelters, food pantries, and other organizations working to end hunger.
1111 Taft St., Rockville
301-330-0222
TAKOMA PARK FOOD PANTRY
7001 New Hampshire Ave, Takoma Park
240-450-2092
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund
Food assistance is available to all qualifying Prince George’s County residents.
2614 Kenhill Drive, Suite 134, Bowie
301-262-6765
bowiefoodpantry@gmail.com
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 4915 Saint Barnabas Road, Temple Hills
oxonhillfoodpantry@gmail.com
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
REGION-WIDE
Southern Maryland Food Bank and Outreach Services
Organization maintains a full listing of food pantries in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.
22 Irongate Dr., Waldorf
301-274-0695
CALVERT COUNTY
6045 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown
410-257-0293
CALVERT CHURCHES COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY, INC.
100 Jibsail Dr, Prince Frederick
443-295-7768
6201 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown
410-257-5672
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
28291 Old Village Rd, Mechanicsville
301-247-2785
WESTERN MARYLAND
REGION-WIDE
The Western Maryland Food Bank has worked since 1983 to enhance the food rescue and food distribution systems locally, addressing the invisible hunger in the tri-state community. It distributes food to local organizations, such a church pantries, day care centers, on-site feeding programs, emergency assistance organizations, etc.
816 Frederick Street, Cumberland
301-722-2797
Amy Moyer, Executive Director, amymoyer@atlanticbb.net
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County Community Action Council Food Pantry
117 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown
301-797-4161
Maryland Food Bank, Western Branch
220 McRand Court, Hagerstown
410-737-8282
Raven House Food Pantry
32 East Avenue, Hagerstown
240-420-6506
