Although turbulence from the last several years seems to be settling, one disturbing trend remains: the continued need for food assistance.
The impact of the global pandemic still lingers, as Marylanders and their families continue to seek food assistance through the Maryland Food Bank and our statewide network of community organizations.
Since March of 2020, we have proved that the food assistance safety net we’ve built over the last 44 years can withstand this crisis, but not without your support.
This page was last modified in July 2021.
Maryland Food Bank Impact
This pandemic is a crisis unlike any other. The good news is that the Maryland Food Bank is built for this; our employees, volunteers, and community of Network Partners are on the front lines every day, ensuring our neighbors have food during this challenging time. To learn more about our work, download our latest newsletter.
Our Response From March 2020 to June 2021
The Maryland Food Bank supports roughly 350 Network Partners statewide that collectively provide nearly 1,450 distribution points with much-needed food for their local communities.
Enough Food to Provide
More Than 66M
Meals
was distributed between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 the equivalent of nearly 80M pounds of food
88%
Increase
when compared to the amount of food distributed between the same 16-month period prior to COVID (March 2018-June 2019)
$36M
was spent on food between March 2020 and June 2021, compared to $7M from March 2018 to June 2019 – a 418% increase
Pounds of Food Distributed
Dollars Spent
449,709
Back Up Boxes
were distributed from March 2020 through June 2021
714,029
Grab & Go Meals
were delivered to kids from March 2020 through June 2021
4,120
Pantry on the Go events
were hosted from March 2020 through June 2021
Maryland Hunger Map Estimates
According to our latest Maryland Hunger Map projection released earlier this summer, approximately 2 million Marylanders may face food insecurity in 2021. That’s roughly 1 in 3 individuals (living both below the Federal Poverty level and just above that line) who are working hard yet still struggle to make ends meet.
Research and Reports
Find our latest original reporting and data-driven tools aimed at helping stakeholders and the public better understand and address the complexity of food insecurity in Maryland.
A Year We Won’t Soon Forget
In March 2021, MFB hosted a Virtual Town Hall where President & CEO Carmen Del Guercio joined two long-standing Network Partners, Cheryl Beulah of Aaron’s Place (Eastern Shore) and Pastor Billy Humphrey of City of Refuge (Baltimore City), to commemorate a year of COVID-19.
The group shared firsthand experiences navigating the pandemic while distributing food to struggling Marylanders, many of which were seeking food assistance for the first time.
Carmen also shared updates regarding the food bank’s emergency response one year after the crisis began and provided some insight around how we’ll be addressing food insecurity as we look ahead to the future.
Maryland Food Bank: Virtual Town Hall 3/18/2021
MFB’s FoodWorks Expands into Baltimore City
When I first walked in here, I was not as confident, not only in my culinary abilities, but in my ability to conduct a team. This gave me the opportunity to really hone in on those type of skills and put me in the position to be a leader.” – Victoria Lake, FoodWorks – Baltimore City, Class 1
The Maryland Food Bank’s Vital Volunteers
“These volunteers are just incredible. They inspire me every day.” – Paul Lynner, MFB volunteer coordinator
Visiting a Food Pantry – First-Hand Accounts
“You only have so much money to spend…this food we get here, I don’t have to buy certain foods at the store, so I save money so I can put that to a bill.” – Sandy, food recipient
In Their Words: Community Leaders on Our COVID-19 Response
“We do not have a grocery store in walking distance here…access to food and quality food is in demand, and we’ve seen a demand before COVID and even increase since COVID.” – Peter Kannam, Henderson-Hopkins School Principal
“As we look ahead and do our best to prepare for the future, the one thing we know for certain is that this pandemic will disrupt the economy and suppress opportunity for months, if not years, to come.”
“As we look ahead and do our best to prepare for the future, the one thing we know for certain is that this pandemic will disrupt the economy and suppress opportunity for months, if not years, to come.”
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Latest News
Right Sizing Our School Pantry Program
Starting with the 2023-24 school year, we’re right-sizing our School Pantry partnerships to produce better outcomes for our neighbors.
Hunger Action Month 2023: Neighbors Still Need You
September marks Hunger Action Month, an opportunity be a part of the nationwide movement to take a stand against hunger and help our neighbors in need. With more food-insecure Marylanders than ever before due to COVID-19, we need you to act.
Increasing Prices Remain a Concern For Older Adults
Older adults face new challenges to food security due to today’s high prices. Find out how one community is using Pantry on the Go to cope.
Get updates on our latest efforts to feed Maryland during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Start Your Own Virtual Food Drive
Virtual Food Drives (VFD) are a safe, easy, and effective way to support the Maryland Food Bank during this crisis. You can customize your VFD to honor a loved one, bring your community together, or recognize a special event. It only takes a few clicks! Start My VFD
