DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. — The COVID-19 pandemic has left food banks under tremendous pressure to meet the skyrocketing demand of hungry families and individuals. To assist in efforts to feed hungry Marylanders, Maryland Farm Bureau and the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) have partnered to launch the #HungerHeroes campaign.
The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the work that the Maryland Food Bank is doing to help struggling families, and to strengthen the connection between food and agriculture. Maryland Farm Bureau has set a goal to raise $10,000 and collect 10,000 pounds of food donations for MFB through the campaign. A “Hunger Hero” digital badge will be awarded to individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made a donation of at least $1,000.
“Our farmers have been actively engaged in the effort to feed hungry and struggling families in Maryland during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Wayne Stafford.
“We’re glad to be officially partnering with the Maryland Food Bank to collect donations to fight the current hunger crisis.”
“The Maryland Food Bank understands and appreciates the critical role farmers play in ensuring our ability to support hungry individuals and families amid this public health crisis, especially as the demand for food assistance continues to surge,” said Carmen Del Guercio, Maryland Food Bank President & CEO. “We are grateful to the Maryland Farm Bureau for creating this #HungerHeroes campaign to collect both monetary and food donations on our behalf and for joining us in the fight against food insecurity.”
Monetary Donations
- Visitwww.mdfarmbureau.com/HungerHeroes.
- Click “Donate Now.”
- Fill out the donation form.
- Share the campaign on your social media using the hashtag #HungerHeroes.
Food Donations
- Contact one of the Maryland Food Bank offices inBaltimore,Salisbury, or Hagerstown to organize a drop-off or possibly schedule a pick-up.
- Visitwww.mdfarmbureau.com/HungerHeroes.
- Fill out the “Food Donation Tracking” form with the number of pounds donated.
- Share the campaign on your social media using the hashtag #HungerHeroes.
Background
- Congress has provided $600 million in the last two COVID-19 relief bills for emergency food purchases, but food banks say it’s not enough given the needs triggered by the pandemic.
- The Maryland Food Bank has seen a 100% increase in demand, with community partners distributing 23% more food despite fewer distribution points being operational.
- 2.2 million pounds of food were distributed by the food bank in the first two weeks of April.
- Between now and June 30th, the Maryland Food Bank aims to raise $12 million to fund its COVID-19 Food Access Response Plan.
–Maryland Farm Bureau