The Maryland Food Bank is on a mission to support those facing hunger, especially during challenging times. With prices rising and food assistance cuts, many Marylanders are struggling. In fact, recent surveys show that 39% of residents experience financial hardship. Over the past five years, food prices have jumped more than 30%, making it harder for families to afford basic necessities.
The long federal government shutdown also took a toll, disrupting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While funding has been restored, many families are still feeling the financial impact. The Maryland Food Bank reported a staggering 200% increase in requests for food assistance during this time, highlighting the urgent need for support.
During the recent Thanksgiving holiday, volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute 25,000 meal boxes and turkeys to families across the state, showcasing the community’s commitment to each other.
The Maryland Food Bank partners with around 800 organizations, including food pantries and shelters, to ensure that help reaches those in need. In Fiscal Year 2025, they distributed over 52 million pounds of food, equating to more than 43.5 million meals, benefiting over 1 million Marylanders.
A special focus of the food bank is on providing healthy options. About 75% of the food distributed is low in sugar, fat, and sodium, including fresh produce and proteins. Their “retail recovery” program has also been a success, redirecting perfectly edible food from grocery stores to those in need, resulting in over 11 million meals last year.
As we continue to navigate these challenging times, the mission remains clear: to feed people, strengthen communities, and work towards ending hunger in Maryland. For more information, you can visit the Maryland Food Bank’s official site here.
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