COVID-19: Local Food System Resources

Please find below relevant information about food assistance resources, and opportunities for individuals and organizations to support community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION)

Click on the links below to jump to each section or page:

• • Resources for Community Partners
  • Resources for Food Businesses and Farms
  • Resources for Residents
    • Food Assistance
    • Grocery Resources
    • Benefits Resources
    • Prepared Meals
      • Student Meals
      • Senior Meals
    • How to Help

Resources for Residents:

Food Assistance Resources

• Food Assistance Resource Map: Location, hours, and eligibility guidelines for 100+ sites in Montgomery County where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
  • • Please note: Hours of operation for providers listed in the Food Assistance Resource Directory are subject to change during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please call ahead for opening hours.
• Weekend Bag Program: MCPS, Manna Food Center, and Women Who Care Ministries are distributing weekend backpacks with groceries to the families of MCPS students each Friday.
• SNAP Benefits during COVID-19 Information 
• Online SNAP Benefits Information
• Food Assistance Referral Toolkit
• Call-n-Ride: Taxicab companies can assist program participants with pick-up from grocery, food banks or restaurants and provide contactless delivery to participants’ residence. Please call 301-948-5409.
• Maryland 2-1-1: The MD Department of Human Services, the MD Department of Disabilities, the Salvation Army, 2-1-1 Maryland, and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.  To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1.   
• P-EBT Information

Grocery Resources

• Online ordering:
  • • For Delivery: Peapod, Wegmans, Dawson’s Market (Rockville, Kensington, Potomac, Bethesda), Roots Market, Market at River Falls, Whole Foods Market through Amazon
    • For Curbside Pickup: Dawson’s Market, Roots Market, Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-Op, Market at River Falls, Founding Farmers Grocery, Quarry House Tavern
• Special hours:
  • • Montgomery County grocery stores with extended or exclusive hours for elderly and immunocompromised residents
• Shopping support:
  • • Senior Connection Shoppers Program: Grocery assistance for senior residents. Please call 301-962-0820 or email Susan.Girard@seniorconnectionmc.org.
    • Villages: Offering grocery assistance and volunteer support to our senior community
    • Teens Helping Seniors: Grocery assistance for senior residents
    • Communities Unbreakable
    • Call-n-Ride: Taxicab companies can assist program participants with pick-up from grocery, food banks or restaurants and provide contactless delivery to participants’ residence. Please call 301-948-5409.
    • Barwood and Regency cabs: Pickup and delivery of items up to 50 lbs
    • Rotary Club: grocery and medicine deliveries and other assistance
    • Here2Help: Here2Help delivers free bags of groceries to county residents in need
• Farmers Markets: As of 3/23, farmers markets are still considered “essential services” and can remain open. Please contact your local market to confirm opening hours.
  • • The Main Street Market in Gaithersburg is CLOSED until further notice.

Benefits Resources

• SNAP:
  • • All County SNAP enrollment centers are currently closed to the public. However, you can call 240-777-1003 for assistance.
    • Maryland Hunger Solutions Toll-free Phone Line for SNAP Application Assistance Sessions: (1-866-821-5552)
    • Crossroads Farmers Market will match all SNAP purchases without limit from its opening date on 4/15 through the end of May. 
    • SNAP FAQ:
      • English
      • Spanish
• WIC:
  • • All CCI WIC Centers are closed to the public, however they continue to provide all essential services (appointments, benefits, support services) via phone: 301-762-9426

Prepared Meals

• Prepared Meal Sites: Montgomery County food assistance providers and nonprofit organizations are offering prepared meals to residents; call ahead to confirm availability.
•  Students:
  • • Montgomery County Public Schools Division of Food and Nutrition Services providing free meals to children in 40+ community locations.
    • Supplemental meals for students at SILVER (Gaithersburg) through Real Food for Kids Montgomery
    • USDA’s Meals for Kids Map
    • Jimmy Johns (Gaithersburg and Germantown): $1 meals to elementary and middle school students between 11am-1pm while schools are closed.
•  Seniors:
  • • Prepared meals available for grab-and-go at Senior Congregate Meal Sites for enrolled participants (Damascus, Holiday Park, Long Branch, Schweinhaut, Wheaton, N. Potomac, White Oak) each Wednesday.
      • In order to partake in the services, you must be 60 years of age or older, but spouses of participants or person with a disability living with a participant are also eligible. More information can be found here.
      • Montgomery County: Registration for Senior Nutrition Program
    • Meals on Wheels: Home deliveries to seniors throughout the County.
• Meals for purchase or donating:
  • • #GiveaMeal to a friend, neighbor, or stranger in need through Geppetto Catering
    • Feeding Families: Support frontline workers through CAVA
    • Donate a meal to hospital workers through Dawson’s Market
    • Donate a meal to seniors in isolation (70+) through Medium Rare
    • MoCo Eats: Restaurants offering curbside pickup and delivery
    • Direct Food Purchase Locations in the DMV
    • Supporting MoCo Made Businesses: Delivery/Pick-up Services and Online Ordering Options

How to Help:

• Review the Food Assistance Provider Needs spreadsheet to find out what providers near you may need in terms of food, funds, and supplies. Most providers are also accepting financial donations electronically.
• Find a provider near you and contact them directly for information on how to help
• Reach out to info@mocofoodcouncil.org with specific offers to be connected with a community partner (i.e., if you have food or supplies that can be donated)
• Contact the Volunteer Center or visit the Volunteer Center website for opportunities to provide hands-on assistance

Additional Resources:

• General COVID-19 Information: Center for Disease Control, Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Governor Hogan

  • • County COVID-19 Hotline Number: 240-777-1755
    • COVID-19 FAQ: Translations
• Senior Resources:
  • • Montgomery County Transportation Resources for Adults over 50
    • Emotional support phone calls through Communities Unbreakable
• Immigrant Resources:
  • • Gilchrist Center (Healthcare, Housing/Rent Assistance, etc.)
• Mental Health Resources:
  • • Every Mind
    • Emotional support phone calls through Communities Unbreakable
• Legislative Resources:
  • • Food Research and Action Center Update
• Family Resources:
  • • Curriculum and Resources for Children and Families impacted by COVID-19
    • “Stay Home, Eat Well, and Keep Moving” Resources from UMD-Extension (English) (Spanish)
• Food Safety Resources
• Montgomery County Volunteer Center
• Montgomery County Facility Closures
• Info Montgomery

Please follow us on social media @MoCoFoodCouncil for more up-to-date information.