Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Maryland Food Bank. Here you will find helpful information regarding our process and considerations for becoming a food distribution partner. We hope that once you have read through this information, you will have a better understanding of what it looks like to be in a partnership with the Maryland Food Bank.
Partners are an important part of Maryland Food Bank’s strategy to increase food access across the state. With an ever-changing landscape, we use local, regional, and national data to help determine where and when to add new food distribution partnerships.
How You Can Make an Impact Today
Like all good things, becoming a partner with the Maryland Food Bank takes time. We want to ensure, not only that there is unmet community need, but also that a strong foundation of trust, understanding, sustainability, and strategic alignment is built between the Maryland Food Bank and our partners.
The best way to make an impact in your community immediately is to explore opportunities such as making referrals to our SNAP outreach team, connecting neighbors to food distribution partners using our Find Food search tool, and/or supporting existing pantries in your community through volunteering, fundraising, or other ways.
The Maryland Food Bank serves every county in the state of Maryland and Baltimore City, excluding Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, which are served by the Capital Area Food Bank. If you are outside of Maryland, please contact Feeding America to find your local food bank.
What is a Food Distribution Partner?
Together, the Maryland Food Bank and our Food Distribution Partners make up the network of food assistance in Maryland. There are more than 700 Food Distribution Partners across the state; they are our primary method of food distribution.
Food Distribution Partners include food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, schools, after-school programs, and more.
Current Partners
Please visit the Partner Portal for the most up-to-date information, training, resources, and newsletters.
Our Community Resources & Initiatives
Volunteer
Help your neighbors in need by giving time. We have opportunities for individuals and groups.
SNAP Outreach
Connect your neighbors with Maryland benefits like SNAP, and other wraparound services.
Host a Virtual Food Drive
Organize a virtual food drive with just a few clicks to start collecting donations for the Maryland Food Bank.
What Does the Maryland Food Bank Take Into Consideration When Assessing Partnership?
The Maryland Food Bank envisions a network of partners who distribute food and build sustainable pathways out of hunger. We look to collaborate with partners who provide food, resources, and services to support our neighbors year-round. This integrated approach not only provides consistent access to food but also builds capabilities within communities to address root causes of hunger. Please be mindful that the Maryland Food Bank does not accept temporary or seasonal partnerships.
Our Neighbors Are Our Top Priority
The Maryland Food Bank ensures that partners are providing positive and dignified experiences and programming. It is imperative to the Maryland Food Bank that neighbors in need receive care, respect, and quality service and products. To that end, we require our partners to participate in initial and ongoing training, reporting, site monitoring, and other compliance measures to ensure safety and quality remains high while also collaborating with other community partners to provide transformational experiences for neighbors in need. During the application process our team will be assessing whether we have the capacity and need for another partner in your area. The following is our recipe for success.
We Look for Partners Who Are Part of Our R.E.C.I.P.E.
- Responsive: Understand and are meeting community needs through implementation of appropriate solutions, and being adaptable, and flexible.
- Enduring: Building sustainability through diverse resources and funding streams, volunteer and organizational structures, and long-term success strategies.
- Centers Neighbors: Making decisions with neighbors at the forefront.
- Innovative: Demonstrating a willingness to adopt best practices, being creative in finding solutions, and showing resilience in the face of challenges.
- Present: Actively connecting with neighbors and other organizations outside of the Maryland Food Bank network, and ensuring visibility to those in need so the community is aware you are a resource.
- Engaged: Actively connecting with Maryland Food Bank and our extended network of partners.
Find Food
Check our Find Food tool to see what organizations in your community are already distributing food in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank.
What Is the Process to Become a Maryland Food Bank Partner?
While we would love to support every organization doing great work, opportunities to bring on new partners is limited, which is why the Maryland Food Bank has a multi-step process to ensure all new partnerships are mutually beneficial and strategically aligned.
- Using the R.E.C.I.P.E. indicators, self-assess your organization’s readiness for partnership with Maryland Food Bank.
- Complete the new partner interest form.
- Our staff reviews your interest form to determine whether to proceed. If there is alignment, we will reach out to start the conversation.
- Select organizations will be invited by our staff to complete the partnership application.
- Our staff reviews your application form to determine whether to proceed.
- If there is alignment, we will reach out to schedule an initial site inspection.
- Our staff will conduct a site inspection at all storage and distribution locations.
- Once the distribution site has been inspected and approved, primary members of your organization will need to complete training that covers Maryland Food Bank policies and procedures, online ordering, food pickup and delivery, food safety, and more.
- Once training is complete, your organization will need to complete our partnership agreement. The partnership agreement is the cornerstone of a successful and sustainable relationship between you, as the food distribution partner, and Maryland Food Bank. It provides the necessary framework that allows us to reliably and safely fulfill our collective mission of feeding the community.
Thank you again for your commitment to ending hunger in Maryland and your interest in partnering with the Maryland Food Bank. If you believe food distribution partnership is right for you, we welcome you to submit your new partner interest form.
Still Have Questions?
Want to get in touch with our community programs team? We’d love to hear from you.
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