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. Additional details can be found in English and Spanish on the Montgomery County Government’s COVID-19 Food Resources Information Portal. 

(Información en Español)

Click on the links below to jump to each page:

• • Resources for Community Partners
  • Resources for Food Businesses and Farms
  • 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, Up2Us Foundation 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 (Maryland Hunger Solutions)  
• SNAP Benefits during COVID-19 One Pager and Half Page Flyer (English and Spanish)
• Online SNAP Benefits Information
• Food Assistance Referral Toolkit
• 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.

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 (May 2020)
• Shopping support information can be found on the Montgomery County Government
  • • Communities Unbreakable
    • Barwood and Regency cabs: Door-to-door delivery services for essential items like groceries, and pre-prescribed medications. Please call 301-990-9000 or contact smohebbi@itcurves.net. Please note that this service is not free.
    • Here2Help: Here2Help delivers free bags of groceries to county residents in need

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 P-EBT up to $50, in addition to matching SNAP and WIC checks and cards!
    • SNAP FAQ:
      • English
      • Spanish
• WIC:
  • • All CCI WIC Centers remain 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.
  • Prepared meals are being delivered through the Montgomery County Food Security Task Force 
•  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
•  Seniors:
  • • Senior Congregate Meal Sites: Senior Nutrition Program continues to operate a grab and go meals program with delivery available to a limited number of people. Each participant (age 60+) must register for the program to reserve meals on a weekly basis for pick up/delivery. Boxes contain 7 completed frozen meals.
      • • Registration information for the Senior Nutrition Program
    • Meals on Wheels: Home deliveries to seniors throughout the County.
• Meals for purchase or donating:
  • • Feeding Families: Support frontline workers through CAVA
    • 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)
• Visit the Volunteer Center website for opportunities to provide hands-on assistance

Additional Resources:

• General COVID-19 Information: Center for Disease Control, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
  • • County COVID-19 Hotline Number: 240-777-1755
    • COVID-19 FAQ: Translations
• Immigrant Resources:
  • • Gilchrist Center (Healthcare, Housing/Rent Assistance, etc.)
• Mental Health Resources:
  • • Every Mind
    • Emotional support phone calls through Communities Unbreakable
    • Maryland Mind
    • House Calls, LLC
• 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 Facility Closures
• Info Montgomery

Multilingual assistance:

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