From May 25 to May 31, the County will host its annual Ride On Food Drive. This year marks the 32nd occasion for this heartwarming initiative, organized by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) in partnership with Manna Food Center. Its main goal? To gather non-perishable food for those in need in our community.
You can donate at all Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash buses. There are also several drop-off locations around the county. As a thank-you, fare is free for anyone who donates.
Manna Food Center plays a crucial role in this effort, distributing food to various locations across Montgomery County. In 2024, they helped over 60,000 people by providing more than 4 million pounds of food. This highlights a growing trend of community support and awareness around hunger issues.
Here are some drop-off locations if you’d like to help:
- Isiah “Ike” Leggett Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville
- Stella Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
- Wheaton Headquarters Building, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton
- Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
- Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg
- Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring
- Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney
- White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring
- Manna Food Center Warehouse, 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg
- Manna Food Center Administrative Office, 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring
What should you donate? The most-needed items include instant oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, canned tuna, and beans. Think about shelf-stable staples that can make a difference.
According to recent surveys, about 1 in 6 Marylanders experience food insecurity. This drive is a vital part of addressing that issue. To find a complete list of needed items and drop-off locations, check out the Ride On Food Drive webpage.
Every little bit helps, and together, we can make a lasting impact on our community.