Food Assistance Resources During the Government Shutdown

Below are some useful links and information about food assistance to reference during the Government Shutdown.

Montgomery County Food Assistance Resource Directory

The Food Assistance Resource Directory (FARD) lists over 70 food assistance providers in Montgomery County, offering options ranging from choice pantries to hot meals. The online Food Assistance Resource Map can help you determine which food assistance providers are located closest to you. You can download and print copies of the brochure in English and Spanish, as well as a “Regional Directory” that lists providers by zip code. The Directory indicates those food assistance providers that do not ask for any documentation regarding income eligibility, which would especially benefit those on furlough.

Montgomery County Federal Shutdown Assistance Portal

The Montgomery County government has released a full list of resources available to families affected by the shutdown, including information about the Senior Lunch Program, Religious Organizations (North Bethesda United Methodist Church, Congregation Beth El, Bethesda United Methodist Church) and Nonprofit Partners offering food assistance.

Free and Reduced Price Meals Programs

MCPS students can submit an application for Free and Reduced Meals at any time during the school year. You can find the application here. Families can participate in this program during financial challenges, and then withdraw from the program as their situation stabilizes. For example, some may go through a period of financial difficulty and not be able to make repayments on loans, which then affects their credit history. They could then take proactive action to learn how to stabilize their cashflow, like reading through the advice on NovaCredit.com, after which they will be abel to re-establish their credit score. The option of free and reduced meals is available to anyone at anytime when they are experiencing fluctuations like this.

Dine with Dignity Program

MCPS students impacted by the shutdown can also get traditional breakfast and lunch choices through the Dine with Dignity Program at no cost. Launched in November 2018, the program allows students with negative account balances access to these meal options. Families will be asked to pay off, or contribute when they can, toward the outstanding balance; the Dine with Dignity fund pays the remainder. Donate to the fund here.

Local food assistance providers are introducing temporary measures to help those impacted by the shutdown, such as removing income eligibility requirements to receive food, organizing food donation drives, or working to get more food to more providers while the situation continues. Please visit their websites and reach out to them for more information.

Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op has announced a line of credit available to its membership impacted by the government shutdown through a new F.A.M (Furlough Assistance for Members) program. Through this program, the TPSS Co-op is offering a $300 line of shopping credit to any of its members who may be impacted by the shutdown. This line of credit may be used by members who complete the application and is available for use on all in-store purchases. The credit may be used in conjunction with other member discounts and used at once or distributed over multiple shopping trips. The Co-op is also extending this program to all furloughed government workers who are not current Co-op members, by inviting them to join the Co-op for a $10 deposit paid now (on the $100 lifetime membership) to access the program. To learn more and sign up: https://tpss.coop/fam/

Please contact Catherine Nardi at cnardi@mocofoodcouncil.org if you or your organization would like to update the information on this page or share additional food access resources.

Upcoming Events

Mar 28

Resident and Community Gardening Collaborative

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Mar 28

RainScape Your Yard: Two Part Series

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Apr 3

Food Waste Prevention Working Group Happy Hour

April 3rd 4-6 at 7pm at Locks Brewing in collaboration with Manna Food and Compost Crew! 

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Apr 10

Empowering MD Businesses: A Lunchtime Dive into Commerce Support

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Apr 11

Statewide Trainings for Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture today announced it will host its first round of trainings throughout the state for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides fresh, unprepared, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to WIC and Senior participants and expands the awareness, use, and sales of such products at farmers markets.

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Apr 14

TPSS EARTH DAY: POWER TO THE PLANET

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Apr 16

How to Do Business with Montgomery County (Webinar)

Learn how to do business with Montgomery County! Hosted quarterly with Montgomery County Office of Procurement.

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Apr 22

SSL Earth Day Opportunity

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Apr 23

Speed Meet: Virtual Business Networking Event for Montgomery County

Join this speed-dating style mixer on Zoom and meet other entrepreneurs in Montgomery County (though all are welcome)!

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Apr 25

Equitable Land Access Working Group Meeting

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Apr 27

Montgomery County Green Fest

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