Access to Food during COVID-19

Montgomery County Food Access Grants Awarded to 38 Community Organizations For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2020        Montgomery County awarded 38 food assistance grants to community groups providing food assistance to vulnerable residents and families in the county.  A total of $1.2 million was appropriated to increase food access during the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-profit organizations were eligible for up to $75,000.  A portion of the funds will be used for partnerships with ethnic grocery stores to increase the availability of culturally appropriate food assistance, as well as deliver hot meals to residents and purchasing food from local kosher markets to distribute to seniors.        “The need for food assistance has grown dramatically because of this pandemic, and I am appreciative of the work with many of our community partners to get food to our residents as best as possible,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “We will continue our work together to address the needs of our residents during this difficult time.”         “The economic hardships experienced by countless Montgomery County residents as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have created ever-increasing and sustained demands on food banks, nonprofit providers and community service partners providing food assistance,” said Council President Sidney Katz. “We are deeply grateful for our community partners and their ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity during this extremely challenging time. The Council is committed to providing the resources necessary to assist in these essential efforts across our community.”        The organizations receiving grants, ranging from nearly $7,000 to $60,000, are: Adventist Community Services AHC, Inc. American Diversity Group American Muslim Senior Society Bethel World CASA Catholic Charities Chinese Cultural and Community Center Direct Support for Immigrants Gaithersburg HELP Germantown Black Rock Hub Goshen United Methodist Church Help for Life Foundation Hindu American Community Services Hughes United Methodist Church Humanity First USA Indonesian American Association International Cultural Athletic Association Islamic Center of Maryland Islamic Community Center of Potomac Jewish Council for the Aging Kingdom Fellowship AME Church Kings and Priests Courts International Ministries Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington Latin American Youth Center Manna Food Center Nourish Now Rainbow CDC Salvation Army Shepherd’s Table Silver Spring Christian Reformed Church So What Else The Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity Up2Us Foundation Vietnamese Americans Services Washington Youth Foundation Women Who Care Ministries YMCA Youth & Family Services        The COVID-19 Emergency Food Access Grant is a partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC) and the Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF). The County’s Food Security Task Force, recently formed by the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS), reviewed and determined all grant awards. The HIF is the fiscal agent for the program and will award the money.        DHHS, along with Montgomery County Public Schools, the MCFC and local food assistance providers have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the increasing need for food assistance across the county. To address food insecurity and plan for a greater need, OEMHS created the Food Security Task Force, made up of county staff, community partners and food assistance recipients. A strategic plan to address food insecurity and priorities for future food assistance spending is being developed.       For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.