The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Maryland Free Clinics, Maryland Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Maryland Food Bank
Our Mission: To lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of Marylanders by ending hunger. The Maryland Food Bank, an affiliate of Feeding America, was founded in 1979 to coordinate the procurement and distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies to organizations providing free food to the state's hungry.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 737-8282 to book your appointment.
Address :
2200 Halethorpe Farms Rd,
Baltimore, MD 21227.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Baltimore
Help Residents of Counties:
- Prince George's
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Anne Arundel
- Baltimore
- Harford
- Carroll
- Frederick
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Howard County, Maryland serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Church of SDA Reform Movement Food Bank
The Food Bank provides food to anyone. Typically families select from among the following: canned vegetables, soup, fruit, and beans; packaged drinks, cereal, cookies, and crackers; fresh fruit, potatoes, onions, apples and/or oranges; rice or pasta; ramen. Hours: Saturday: 2:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (301) 894-2243 to book your appointment.
Address :
2708 John A Thompson Rd,
Temple Hills, MD 20748.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Temple Hills
Help Residents of Counties:
- Charles
- Prince George's
- Calvert
- Anne Arundel
- Montgomery
- Howard
- St. Mary's
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Thurmont Food Bank
Hours: Tuesday 5 – 7:30pm, Friday 3:30 – 5pm
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
10 Frederick Rd,
Thurmont, MD 21788.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Thurmont
Help Residents of Counties:
- Montgomery
- Carroll
- Frederick
- Washington
- Howard
Howard County Food Bank
The Food Bank provides emergency food grants to families to ensure families have adequate nutritious food. Eligibility is based on income. The Food Bank also warehouses food for distribution to other food pantries in the County. One of these may be closer to your home and provide easier access to emergency food services. We encourage families to use the Food Pantry closest to their home. The primary source of products for the Food Bank is donations from groups and individuals who conduct food drives in their community, at their schools or workplaces.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 313-6185 to book your appointment.
Address :
8920 Route 108 Ste A,
Columbia, MD 21045.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Columbia
Help Residents of Counties:
- Prince George's
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Anne Arundel
- Baltimore
- Carroll
- Frederick
Apostolic House of Prayer Food Bank
Our Food Bank works in conjunction with the Anne Arundel County Coalition to end hunger and homelessness. We are operational every Wednesday at 8:30 pm. However, if someone has an emergency, our mission is to accommodate them. Food is available to all. You need not be a member of our church to receive food, just call 410-987-8460. Our mission is to assist ALL!
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 987-8460 to book your appointment.
Address :
413 Headquarters Dr Ste 3,
Millersville, MD 21108.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Millersville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Prince George's
- Calvert
- Anne Arundel
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Baltimore
- Harford
- Talbot
- Carroll
Hereford Food Bank
Purpose and Mission Statement: This organization shall be known as the “Hereford Food Bank and Community Outreach Center, Inc.†which is a charitable not-for-profit corporation to operate a food pantry and provide services to meet the needs of the greater Hereford Community with an office located in Monkton, Maryland. God has called us to offer our lives in service to each other. One example of loving service to others is the care and feeding of the poor and hungry. We are committed to distributing without compensation donated and purchased food for those who need emergency and supplemental food while operating at the highest level of efficiency. We will also provide additional services such as financial assistance for qualified families for utility shut off notices or eviction notices in relation to unpaid rent or mortgage obligations. We will provide them with referrals to appropriate social services and government agencies. Our goal is to keep families together during hard times, feed them with food and hope, and show them compassion while maintaining their dignity. Our hours for clients to receive food or for community donations to be accepted are: Tuesdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Thursdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. OUR SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ZIP CODES: 21105 Maryland Line, 21152 Sparks, 21111 Monkton, 21053 Freeland, 21120 Parkton, 21155 Upperco, 21131 Phoenix, 21161 White Hall, 21102 Millers, 21023 Butler.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 343-0660 to book your appointment.
Address :
16931 York Rd,
Monkton, MD 21111.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Monkton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Howard
- Baltimore
- Harford
- Anne Arundel
- Carroll
- Cecil
Middletown Valley Food Bank
Our mission is to provide the hungry in the Greater Middletown area with a variety of nutritious food while treating our clients with dignity and respect. This food will always be of the highest of standards ensuring that the food given will provide augmentation to their monthly needs. Hours: Wed: 1:00 - 3:00, Sat: 9:00 am - Noon
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (301) 371-3182 to book your appointment.
Address :
301 W Main St,
Middletown, MD 21769.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Middletown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Montgomery
- Frederick
- Washington
- Carroll
- Howard
FCAA Food Bank and Soup Kitchen
The Foodbank Program operated by the Frederick Community Action Agency (FCAA) provides a three- to five-day supply of food to families and individuals who are facing an economic crisis and cannot afford to buy their groceries. The FCAA Foodbank serves between 600 to 800 households each month ranging from very low-income families who use the foodbank on a regular basis to moderate-income families who are facing a financial crisis and need food assistance. Foodbank hours are: Monday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Wednesday: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Thursday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Friday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. The Soup Kitchen Program provides a full evening meal, seven nights a week from 5:30 to 6:30 pm to anyone in need of a hot, nutritious meal. Most of the men, women and children using the Soup Kitchen are homeless, but some are very low-income renters (including senior citizens) who come to the FCAA for a free meal in order to help make ends meet. The Soup Kitchen Program has been in continuous operation by the Frederick Community Action Agency (FCAA) since 1984.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (301) 600-6263 to book your appointment.
Address :
14 E All Saints St,
Frederick, MD 21701.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Frederick
Help Residents of Counties:
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Carroll
- Frederick
- Washington
- Baltimore
HCAA Food Bank/Food Pantry
HCAA Food Bank is a redistribution organization for the Maryland Food Bank. We distribute food in bulk to local community and faith-based organizations - church food pantries, soup kitchens, homeles shelters, residential recovery programs, after school programs - throughout Harford County. Food Pantry: Emergency and/or supplemental food is available once every 30 days to clients who are in need of nourishment. Families receive enough wholesome fresh/canned fruits, vegetables, meats, milk products, and/or breads and pastries for 2 - 3 days, based on household size. Current income eligibility is 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 612-9909 to book your appointment.
Address :
1321 B Woodbridge Station Way,
Edgewood, MD 21040.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Edgewood
Help Residents of Counties:
- Baltimore
- Harford
- Anne Arundel
- Howard
- Cecil
Glade Valley Community Services, Inc. Food Bank
Located in the lower level of Walkersville Town Hall, 21 West Frederick Street, in Walkersville, MD. Food Bank hours: Monday 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Thursday 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (301) 845-4229 to book your appointment.
Address :
21 W Frederick St,
Walkersville, MD 21793.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Walkersville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Carroll
- Frederick
- Washington
- Baltimore
College Park Community Food Bank
The Food Bank began in September 2008 at the College Park Church of the Nazarene. Our first Food Bank provided meals to 13 families; we now serve over 125 families each month. We are a Community Food Bank in two important ways: we serve the broader College Park community and the broader community supports us with vital donations of money and food items. Any person or any family in need of food is welcomed at the Food Bank; we are committed to serve our guests without fees or other qualifying criteria. We give out a mix of non-perishables (soup, vegetables, beans, rice, pasta etc.), fresh bread and bagels, and fresh produce. Our specific selection of food varies every month based on availability & donations. We give out what we have until we run out so it's best to show up at 10am.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
9704 Rhode Island Ave,
College Park, MD 20740.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- College Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- Charles
- Prince George's
- Calvert
- Anne Arundel
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Baltimore
- Frederick
- Carroll
Anne Arundel County Food Bank
Founded in 1986, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank was established to collect, purchase, and distribute food to not-for-profit, human service organizations in Anne Arundel County. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank (AACFB) is the only free multipurpose agency in Maryland that provides food, nutritional supplements, medical equipment, furniture, vehicles, appliances and more - free of charge. To ensure all residents of Anne Arundel County are covered, especially those in low income communities, we offer our services free of charge. We work along side local County, Community and Civic organizations to identify and address resident needs.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (410) 923-4255 to book your appointment.
Address :
120 Marbury Dr,
Crownsville, MD 21032.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Crownsville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Prince George's
- Calvert
- Anne Arundel
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Harford
- Baltimore
- Talbot
- Carroll
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Howard County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Howard County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Howard County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification