The Power of “Yes, And…”

Back in 2017, we began to lay the foundation to finally solve hunger in our state. Guided by MFB 2.0, we completely restructured our Programs team, and started to form new partnerships and launch new programs to do more.

Then the pandemic struck.

But even with all the challenges the historic, pandemic-era need demanded of us, we continued that strategic work, refreshing that plan into MFB 3.0. while staying true to three pillars—Expanding Food Access, Creating Pathways Out of Hunger, and Investing in Organizational Sustainability & Growth.

We’ve emerged from the pandemic as an agile, data-informed, person-centric organization that is now able to do more than provide food to our neighbors in need.

We are here to say “Yes, and…”

As you continue to look over our website, you’ll see how this new mindset has allowed us to say “Yes, we can provide food to Marylanders who need it, AND we can help address the root causes that lead these neighbors to our community-based partners in the first place.”

We are part of a national movement of food bank using this strategy which originated in improvisational comedy.

The “Yes, and…” concept—where an idea is constantly added to, improved upon, and made better—is exactly the collaborative and affirmative mentality that will allow us to help more Marylanders prosper.

Food is just the beginning—we are reaching people through food and are bringing more than food to the table.

That’s why we’re dedicated to continuing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educational journey; why we’ll continue taking advantage of professional education, training, and advancement opportunities; why we will continue to stay on the cusp of the latest best practices and technology; and why we will continue to find more ways to deliver on “Yes, and…”

While we are proud of how we’ve evolved into the resource that our neighbors need us to be, we remain humbled that you recognize us as the right partner to help.