What a 2025! The Maryland Food Bank’s Top 10

Hello! It’s Meg Kimmel, the Maryland Food Bank’s President & CEO, here with my first-ever Top 10 list. This past year was an important one for the Maryland Food Bank and for communities across Maryland, and choosing only 10 moments that represent an entire year was quite a challenge.

Despite elevated prices on food, as well as new uncertainty over access to federal benefits and a historic government shutdown, MFB and our statewide network of nearly 800 community-based partners were able to distribute enough food for more than 43.6 million meals, as well as continue our work to build pathways to food security.

Here are 10 top moments from 2025.

10. MFB’s Day of Service

We’re all passionate and proud to work at the Maryland Food Bank, but not every team member has regular opportunities to travel outside our offices and see just how our network of food distribution partners works in their communities to support neighbors.

Our annual Day of Service (this year on May 5) offers that unique opportunity to recharge by “touching the mission” through volunteering, and some of the impactful experiences employees shared have stayed with me throughout the entire year.

And it is through these personal, 1-to-1 conversations that I have the opportunity to deepen relationships and learn more about why people choose to work in charitable food assistance.

Some bravely share that they, a family member, or close friend had experienced food insecurity, and they want to “give back,” while others like the feeling of strengthening their ties to the community.

There was one story in particular that I really think speaks to the caliber of people and programs at the Maryland Food Bank:

“While sorting food for students to take home over the weekend, what affected me deeply, was realizing that I am part of a system that helps no matter the situation. These kids did not ask to be hungry, so knowing that the weekend backpack program allows them to contribute to the wellbeing of their families in a stigma-free and dignified manner reiterates that the Maryland Food Bank is the right place for me to work,” said Marcia Jackson, Grants Manager.

9. Granted, Partners Best Know Their Neighbors’ Needs

After many years of supporting nonprofits across Maryland through grantmaking, this work is now one of the cornerstones of our efforts to build a more resilient food system and weaken the root causes of hunger

Through Neighbor Impact, Hunger Hotspot, and Capacity Grants, we’ve supported the efforts of hundreds of our more than 760 statewide community partners through more than $6 million in funds to purchase food, vehicles, buildings, computer equipment, and to cover staffing costs since 2019.

This year, we were thrilled to introduce the Retail Agency Capacity Grant. Supported by longtime food bank friends at Walmart and Feeding America, this new grant expands our ability to connect more nutritious food with Marylanders facing hunger—while also rescuing perfectly good food from retailers in communities all across Maryland. reducing food waste in our communities.

In 2025, six MFB community partners received vehicles and other support so they can recover more fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods directly from grocers.

8. Mascots, Moshing, and More: Changemakers Make a Difference

The large-scale support we receive from the foundations, companies, government partners and organizations who believe in our mission is tremendous.

But I especially love seeing the individuals and small groups that passionately join the movement to fight for greater food security in our state.

In August, I got to drop the puck at the Hockey Donkeys’ “Face Off Against Hunger” charity tournament. And throughout the year, people stepped up in some interesting and unexpected ways!

I was particularly touched by two local high school students who showed initiative while raising funds and awareness. One young woman created and donated a special pancake mix, while the other followed his passion for speed by organizing and hosting an exotic car show.

Read more stories of creative, above-and-beyond support in our Changemakers series.

7. New CEO, New Board Chair Mean a New Chapter for the Maryland Food Bank

Over my 13 years, I’ve held a number of roles at the Maryland Food Bank, but on July 1, I was honored to take on a new opportunity as MFB’s president and CEO. I am excited to continue to push food banking forward and ensure that the talented team at the Maryland Food Bank has what they need to do what they do best: help end hunger in our state.

I am also grateful that our longtime Board member Mike Blair has stepped into the role of Chairman of MFB’s Board of Directors. Mike’s steady leadership and his commitment to harnessing the board’s expertise will help ensure that MFB is positioned to meet both today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.

6. FoodWorks Turns 15, Graduates 50th Class in Baltimore

For all of the changes I’ve seen at the food bank in my 13 years, there has been one constant – FoodWorks! To truly fight hunger, we have to address the root causes that lead to food insecurity, and FoodWorks is a powerful example of what neighbors can do when they access new skills, mentorship, and build their own confidence.

And while every class is special, I couldn’t have been prouder to see the 50th class graduate from Baltimore – marking 15 years of Marylanders changing their lives by completing the program.

You can experience the power of FoodWorks yourself by visiting any one of the dozens of local establishments with FoodWorks graduates on staff.

5. Three Cheers for Volunteers

Each morning, I get to walk into the food bank and see dedicated volunteers getting ready to sort food, pack boxes, answer phones, or create delicious meals. It is energizing to meet and chat with some of the amazing people that choose to give their time and talent to support their neighbors in need.

Last year, 8,002 volunteers gave enough time to work 41,915 shifts – the monetary equivalent of $1.85 million!

I am thankful for each and every one of those more than 8,000 caring people, but in 2025, Kate Murphy really shined. Nominated by her peers and selected as the “2025 Volunteer of the Year,” by Maryland Food Bank staff, Kate finds the community-building aspects of volunteering to be very rewarding.

“What I like the most is the people. I feel like the other volunteers here share my thoughts, share my values, and are just so nice. You get to talking, and we just become a community,” shared Kate.

4. Advocacy in Action: A Sea of Red in Annapolis

On January 14, dozens of Maryland Food Bank team members donned their brightest (and warmest) red Maryland Food Bank logo wear, braving freezing temperatures for the opportunity to collaborate at the highest level in Maryland – by educating lawmakers in Annapolis about how deeply food insecurity is affecting the lives of their constituents.

Beginning with a much-needed warm welcome from Delegate Aletheia McCaskill of Baltimore County and ending with a trip around the statehouse building to distribute copies of our 2025 Legislative Agenda.

“I loved attending my first Advocacy Day with the MFB team. Seeing how we work with elected officials and advocate for our neighbors was inspiring. The meetings were focused, productive, and really highlighted the strong relationships our team has built,” said Mary Wright, Director, Corporate Philanthropy.

3. A Record-Setting Pack to Give Back

Offering local corporations the opportunity to build holiday meal kits and their teams, Pack to Give Back is Maryland’s premiere holiday season volunteering event. And this year, we had a record number of volunteers (400) from a record number of companies (nearly 25) all working together towards a common goal: filling Holiday Meal Kits so more Maryland families can share a nourishing holiday meal together.

“I have people in my family who have been affected by food insecurity – every dollar and every meal counts. To be able to play a part in helping people get what they need during the holidays is really important,” said Rayma Alexander, director of corporate communications and diversity, equity & inclusion at Pack to Give Back sponsor The Wills Group.

Rayma’s sentiment is very familiar to me, and representative of many of the stories I have heard from food bank team members, partners, volunteers, board members, and other involved in food assistance over the past 13 years – I hope it moves you as deeply as it does me.

2. GivingTuesday

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday is the peak of the Giving Season, and one of our busiest fundraising days of the year.

And for the seventh consecutive year, on-air allies at WBAL-TV, WBAL Radio, and 98ROCK hosted an all-day fundraising Telethon on GivingTuesday, broadcasting live from our Halethorpe headquarters on December 2, 2025.

Over time, this day-long event has grown steadily from $20,000 in 2019, to an astounding $625,948 in 2025 – and now provides more than 500,000 meals annually!

1. YOU Made the Difference When Things Got Tougher

In my 14 years working in the charitable food assistance sector in Maryland, one thing is crystal clear: Marylanders care about Marylanders. This compassion is especially strong during times of challenge and uncertainty, such as during the pandemic and when the Key Bridge fell in 2024. Neighbors stepped up to help each other.

So, when the combination of a government shutdown and a disruption in SNAP benefits forced people to visit our community partners—many for the first time—you showed up in force!

Generous support from caring people—from the Moore-Miller administration, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City governments to many new monthly donors—meant that we could rapidly increase our distribution of nutritious food and provide additional financial support to 406 community partners across the state.

While the Maryland Food Bank staff works hard every day to make sure we are there for any Marylander who needs a meal, knowing you have our backs when times get really tough fuels our passion for this work.

2025 was a year unlike any other, and I’m certain 2026 will hold some surprises as well. Thank you for taking a seat at the table and supporting our efforts to build toward a future where food security is a reality for every Marylander.

On behalf of all the Maryland Food Bank staff – my deepest gratitude.