Impact Stories
Everyday choices create meaningful impact.
By giving shoppers an easy way to support their local communities, the Giant Food Community Bag Program has continuously proven that small acts of kindness make a difference. Since 2019, this program has generated more than $721,124 in donations to over 1,925 organizations. In 2024 alone, the Giant Food Community Bag Program donated more than $206,172 to 819 nonprofits.
Behind these numbers are the stories of local organizations and countless individuals and families who have been positively impacted by the Giant Food Community Bag Program. Throughout 2024, the PS It Matters Team heard numerous stories about how benefiting organizations have furthered their missions, supported underserved individuals, and increased cause awareness as a direct result of the Giant Food Community Bag Program
The enclosed story collection highlights five nonprofits that Giant Food supported this year and illustrates how something as simple as buying a reusable bag can make a difference in local communities. For more stories, please visit the Giant Food Program Website: giantfood.2givelocal.com/stories.
Thank you for joining us in believing that everyday choices can create a meaningful impact. Together, we have sparked positive change in the communities that Giant Food employees and shoppers call home. We sincerely value your partnership and look forward to continuing this inspiring work in 2025.
Friendship Place
Working to end homelessness in the DC region.
Friendship Place empowers individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about Friendship Place.
Friendship Place has been around for 33 years We started as a group of neighbors who saw the unhoused individuals in their community and were determined to do something to help This original group purchased a van to bring items to people on the street, ensuring they could be safe, healthy, and either warm or cool, depending on the time of the year
From there, the organization grew organically. We bought our Welcome Center on Wisconsin Avenue a few years after that initial start. The center is open three days a week for people to pick up food and toiletries, do their laundry, or hang out. Most importantly, they are able to access case management services and talk to someone who can help them navigate how to get back on their feet.
We started as a group of neighbors who saw the unhoused individuals in their community and were determined to do something to help.
Next, the city offered some opportunities for us to contract them for permanent supportive housing So, people have access to vouchers, and our role is to provide case management to help them access landlords and the services they need to stay in one place and gain stability
After that, we got the opportunity to work with the Veterans Administration We now help about 700 veterans annually through rapid rehousing and case management services
Last year, we served just shy of 5,000 people through our programs. At Friendship Place, try to be the place where people can go to hear the word “yes” because too often they’ve heard the word “no.”
What services do you provide to the community?
We operate three buildings, soon to be four, on behalf of the city Two of those are transitional housing facilities The idea is to help people connect to a landlord, find employment, and get back on their feet We also operate a permanent facility for men in Columbia Heights In an ideal world, we get people to a place where they no longer need us
In an ideal world, we get people to a place where they no longer need us.
We also started doing employment services through a program called AimHire We connect people who need jobs to jobs through a model called Employment First We know everyone has a skill they can use We won’t make you go through training to get a job Instead, we will say, “What can you do? Let’s figure out what job you can do with those skills.”
Finally, we do a lot of programming for youth and young adults. These programs run through both our outreach on the street and the Drop-In Center. The goal of our youth programs is to help young adults achieve stability and to empower them to alter the trajectory of their futures.
What sets Friendship Place apart from other nonprofits in your community?
We pride ourselves on being the place where people can hear “yes ” So often, people are told, “No, you have to do this No, you can’t do that No, you have to go here No, you have to do this paperwork ” We try to do the opposite and are pretty good at it We figure out what we need to do to take you from where you are to where you want to be
We figure out what we need to do to take you from where you are to where you want to be.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
A wonderful man named Alan came to us as a participant 10 years ago. He spent six years in homelessness during two different stints. Luckily, he found Friendship Place, and he latched on.
We served him and later offered him a spot on our board We like to have people with lived experience serve on our board to advise us After he joined the board, the opportunity arose for him to become part of our staff What better success story is there than someone who has both benefited from and served with the organization?
This is one story of many We have so many families that drastically improve their quality of life through our transitional facility. The people who come simply need a place to stay for a few months to get themselves situated. So, the parents can work, and the kids are in school, but they’re in a safe apartment. It’s amazing what can come from taking care of this need.
It’s all about getting people where they want to be. We see people become successful every day.
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
We have become real thought leaders over the last couple of years We started by hosting meetings with two or three dozen people to discuss our programs With the pandemic, we could no longer meet in the same way, so we took it all online Now, we do webinars at least once a month to talk about relevant issues
At Friendship Place, we have done a lot of training on anti-racism. For four years in a row, we’ve hosted a workshop series on combatting racism. This is particularly important since we know homelessness is often rooted in underlying systemic racism.
People in our programming also go out to a variety of conferences to speak about the work we do. As an organization, we’re proud that people beyond our community know us. They know us because they joined a webinar, training, or conference where we have spoken about our work and groundbreaking ideas.
What
do you want people to know about Friendship Place?
We are driven by a caring community Those of us who work here are so lucky to go to work every day and make people’s lives better It’s amazing We love being a conduit for community members who want to do that good but don’t have the time People have other jobs They’re doing their own thing It becomes a mutually reinforcing relationship We can do the work you care about but may not have time to do
We love being a conduit for community members who want to do that good but don’t have the time.
We can’t do our work without community support. Though we get generous government support through the city and the Veterans Administration, private fundraising fuels many of our programs. The community empowers us to do this work.
How will you use funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
Funds, such as these from Giant Food, do crucial work. It will help keep our Welcome Center open by helping us provide the tools and staff it needs to operate. It also can cover the tools we need for our street outreach, including food, water, hand sanitizer, masks, and socks. Private funds like yours go directly to the people we serve.
I want to thank Giant Food for always thinking of us. The visibility you provide helps bolster our place in the wider community. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Arts on the Horizon
Fostering growth through early arts education.
Arts on the Horizon creates sensory-rich performances and education programs for infants and young children to encourage creative expression and skill building. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about Arts on the Horizon.
We are a theater company specifically created for infants and children up to 6 years old and their families. Our productions and early arts education programs are specifically designed for an audience of that age. All the shows are nonverbal since children at this age are at different stages of language development. The productions focus on sensory elements because we know that is how children learn best. One of the critical elements of our work is that everything on our stage is accessible to children.
To do this, we incorporate a lot of tactile experiences. We create a sensory-rich environment, utilizing vibrant imagery, music, sound effects, movement, and tactile moments where children are able to interact with the different objects and props used in the performance. Everything we do is run by professional actors and musicians.
Instead of having folks come to us, we have been focusing on bringing our programs to different neighborhoods in the DC metro area and meeting families where they are We work within the school system for our arts education programs During the summer, we also run camps and workshops throughout the community
What services do you provide to the community?
For our arts education programs, we run after-school programming for children in kindergarten through second grade We currently have these programs in various Northern Virginia and DC schools These programs are focused on showing children how creative expression is a tool they can latch on to We design all of our programs to follow the Virginia Standards of Learning and infuse social-emotional learning (SEL) into everything we do
For our creative drama classes, we use books as a jumping-off point, and we provide interactive story times throughout the year in different areas of the community. We also do nine weeks of creative drama summer camps. Summer camps like these are often the first time children are away from parents or caregivers. These programs aim to show these kids how we can learn together by focusing on ensemble building and exploring creative outlets. Each arts education program includes creative drama exercises which focus on refining and developing fine and gross motor skills, expanding vocabulary and problem-solving skills, and serving as a catalyst for creative play outside of class.
Each arts education program includes creative drama exercises which focus on refining and developing fine and gross motor skills, expanding vocabulary and problemsolving skills, and serving as a catalyst for creative play outside of class.
We create shows for infants and children up to 3 years old These programs are more experiential. They focus less on a specific plot and more on episodic moments. For example, if we set the show in the rainforest, we will explore all of the animals and insects there through sensory development.
Additionally, we also produce shows for children ages 2 to 6. For this older age range, the shows are more plot-driven. These productions demonstrate and model the importance of cooperation and creativity, empathy among the characters, conflict resolution through teamwork, and the excitement of exploring new places and engaging in new activities.
What sets Arts on the Horizon apart from other nonprofits in your community?
We are focused on early arts education, whereas most theater companies cater to an older age range. Arts on the Horizon was the first theatre company in the U.S. to focus on producing original plays for this age group, reaching children at a critical time in their development. We are the only organization in Northern Virginia doing this kind of work.
Arts on the Horizon was the first theatre company in the U.S. to focus on producing original plays for this age group, reaching children at a critical time in their development.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
There is a family who has been attending Arts on the Horizon programs since their child was 3 months old. Her mother sent us a photo from the first show they attended at a local library. Now, her daughter is 6 years old, and she’s been with us practically her whole life. It was lovely to hear her mom say that Arts on the Horizon has been a big part of her child’s life and it has impacted her overall development.
This particular child was also with us throughout the pandemic. We did our best to continue to offer our programs and to keep children and families engaged during this difficult time. We don’t often think about the pandemic from a toddler or preschooler’s perspective, but it’s so important for young children to interact with other children as part of their social development.
As people began to come back to in-person events, we had several parents who had babies during the pandemic say this was the first time their child was able to interact with other children Engagement is so important for children of this age, and these parents and caregivers were very grateful their child was finally able to have that experience It was beautiful to see these families finally have these moments
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
For us, it’s all about reaching children where they are Whether it’s a community-based program, one of our school programs, or an outdoor theatre performance in the DC area, I believe what’s important is that we offer creative outlets for children that advance their development To be such an influential part of so many families’ lives is amazing
What do you want people to know about Arts on the Horizon?
People are often surprised to hear that we offer programs for children under the age of 3 Many people assume arts education starts with preschool, but several of our programs are designed for infants and toddlers Additionally, people always seem shocked to see their young child sit through a 30-minute show and be fully engaged This really demonstrates the importance of arts education, especially in the early years of a child’s life This type of programming helps with many key developmental milestones and overall growth and development.
How will you use the funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
These funds will go specifically to our arts education programs These donations help ensure we can provide our programs completely free of charge or at a very low cost to families in the area.
Additionally, all our shows are world premieres, meaning they are entirely original productions. Over the 11 seasons we have been offering performances, we have developed 26 world premiere shows. This money helps us continue to create new shows and compensate the professional artists who work on our productions.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
We focus on hiring local artists to develop all of our shows. For the most part, the majority of our artists are from the DC metro area. We serve not only the local families that we work with, but also the local artistic community. We want to uplift artists in the area as much as possible.
We serve not only the local families that we work with, but also the local artistic community.
We also have an emerging artists program, which gives early-career artists experience working on shows. These artists can explore fields like set design, costume design, playwrighting, acting, and directing. They work one-on-one with our professional artists to assist with a particular production element. With this initial experience, they can go on to use the skills they learned to further their careers.
Abilities Network
Empowering individuals of all abilities to reach their full potential.
For 60 years, Abilities Network has supported Marylanders of all abilities by offering a variety of services that cultivate inclusion and promote self-determination. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about Abilities Network.
Our mission is cultivating inclusive communities through relationships, innovation, and highquality services It’s a very broad mission because we do many different things
Our organization was founded in 1964 by epileptologists and parents at Johns Hopkins Though it originally focused primarily on epilepsy, our organization broadened its services and grew into Abilities Network in 2000. With this broader focus, we support Marylanders, specifically those from marginalized communities, in achieving their personal goals and reaching their maximum potential.
Some of the people we support have a diagnosed disability, but many struggle with other risk factors, including lack of environmental support, socioeconomic status, or limited knowledge of resources. Through our programs, we support about 10,000 Marylanders every year. This year, we are excited to celebrate this impact and our history as part of our 60th anniversary.
Through our programs, we support about 10,000 Marylanders every year.
What services does your organization provide to the community?
At Abilities Network, our services are comprised of four different programs that serve very distinct populations Our values of reflection, well-being, courage, and respect unite all of our programs
Our largest and longest-standing program is Community and Employment Partners. Through this program, we support adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in living the lives of their choice by providing independent living and employment services. Many of our societal systems are set up to exclude people with disabilities from opportunities and prevent them from making their own decisions. To counter this, our services empower individuals and their families to set high expectations for themselves, accomplish their goals and become important members of their communities. We focus on helping each individual break down the barriers that keep them from doing whatever they want to do.
Next, we have Project ACT, an acronym for All Children Together Through this program, our Early Childhood Mental Health and Behavioral Consultants provide child care providers and early childhood educators with coaching and mentoring These personalized supports are intended to help them successfully include young children with disabilities or challenging behaviors in their community-based programs Early childhood professionals have been historically underpaid and have limited resources and access to professional development, despite having one of the most important roles in our community Project ACT ensures that all children and families have access to high-quality inclusive child care.
Our third program is Healthy Families Baltimore County, which is part of a national program developed 25 years ago by Prevent Child Abuse America. With proactive support to parents who may have had past trauma, stress, or a lack of resources, the intent of the program is to prevent child maltreatment or neglect. By giving parents extra support, we help them set and achieve goals related to parenting, school, work, housing, employment, healthy relationships, life skills, and more. Our support empowers parents to raise toddlers who are healthy and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.
We also have Senior Services that focus specifically on seniors in transition Our services focus on seniors who have lived in their homes for decades and face the overwhelming task of downsizing when they move into retirement living We consult with seniors and their families to help them with the physical and emotional work of sorting through a lifelong accumulation of belongings The goal is to take on the difficult task of organizing and coordinating their move so they can focus on caring for themselves and settling into their new home.
Through our services, Abilities Network serves many different people, from infants to seniors and everyone in between. We pride ourselves on customizing how we support each individual we serve by meeting them where they are and helping them get where they want to be.
We pride ourselves on customizing how we support each individual we serve by meeting them where they are and helping them get where they want to be.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
Finding affordable, stable housing is a huge issue in all of our programs There is a shortage of affordable housing, and even though there are resources like Housing Choice Voucher Programs, navigating the systems to access them can be confusing Without a home, no one can focus on other areas of growth.
We recently supported someone in our Community and Employment Partners Program with housing. This particular person was in the process of being evicted from their home and reached out to our staff for help. One of our staff members jumped in, hoping to either stave off the crisis or find them a new place to live. Our staff member worked with this person to assess the situation and find a solution.
Together, they found out that our client had actually overpaid their rent! Through this discovery, they realized the person should not be at risk of eviction. They were able to reverse the eviction process and even help the person in our services get a credit on their rent Our services are not about intervening in a crisis Instead, we focus on long-term support So, now that this person’s crisis is solved, we’ll continue to work with them to keep track of their rent payments to prevent this from happening again
This story is just one example of some of the challenges people we serve face and how our staff supports people by not just staving off crises but helping them learn and grow from them. Ultimately, our goal is to help people further their independence and ensure they do not have similar experiences in the future.
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
One of our overarching values is cultivating inclusion, which has become the trademark of our services. Throughout all of our programs, everyone we support comes from marginalized communities. Historically, people with disabilities were tucked out of sight and institutionalized. Child care providers were forced to figure out how to support children with challenging behavior or expel them from their programming Families under stress were written off Seniors and their families have to navigate transitions into retirement living on their own Those we serve are sent messages in our society to keep expectations low for themselves, so we want to reverse this way of thinking We really think of ourselves as a social justice organization
We treat everyone we serve with the respect they deserve. We help people seek and demand respect and what they need for their well-being. Through our services, we not only educate them to expect and demand more, but we also support them in engaging with the broader community. By doing this, we simultaneously educate the whole community, encouraging everyone to value people of all abilities and backgrounds.
What do you want people to know about Abilities Network?
Our goal is to help people find their own voice Our staff is exceptionally thoughtful We don’t show up in somebody’s life and tell them what they should be doing Instead, we make sure each person is in the driver’s seat of their own life
We don’t tell people what their values or dreams should be We strive to help each person figure that out for themselves Again, self-determination has historically been denied to the populations we serve, so our job is to help remove the barriers stopping them from getting to where they want to be.
We don’t tell people what their values or dreams should be. We strive to help each person figure that out for themselves.
How will you use the funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
We are very fortunate to receive government funding, but it’s never enough to truly cover the cost of delivering high-quality services
Donations we receive support our programs, directly benefiting the people we serve and our communities This includes supporting adults with developmental disabilities live independently, maintain successful employment, and build social connections We coach and mentor child care providers to successfully include all abilities. Donations also ensure we are able to continue our home visits to new parents who need some support navigating parenthood and being the healthiest family they can be. They also allow our move management services to be available to seniors who otherwise may not be able to afford our downsizing and transition services. Donations are essential in our ability to do outreach raising awareness of our services to reach those who can benefit. We also need philanthropy to invest in staff training, development, and capacity building to continue to innovate and pursue high quality services.
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
Combatting homelessness with free legal services.
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless provides comprehensive legal support to individuals and families who are struggling with poverty and homelessness in Washington, DC. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless envisions a just and inclusive community for all residents of the District of Columbia, where housing is a human right and every individual and family has equal access to the resources they need to thrive.
Our mission is to use the law to make justice a reality for those who struggle with homelessness and poverty Combining community lawyering and advocacy to achieve our clients’ goals, our staff and volunteer attorneys provide low-barrier, comprehensive legal services to help our clients access housing, shelter, and life-saving services Rooted in client experiences, we effectively blend system reform efforts, policy advocacy, community education, and client engagement to advocate for long-term improvements in programs
What services do you provide to the community?
Our primary community service is free legal services for low-income DC residents. In DC, there are not enough lawyers to help low-income people who need assistance. To amplify our impact, our staff attorneys partner with and supervise volunteer attorneys, who work for the government, law firms, or other places, to provide free legal services.
In addition, our staff members provide free legal education to the community and connect DC residents with services, decision-makers, and advocacy opportunities We also operate a Client Emergency Fund to help our clients overcome barriers to housing, such as replacing an identification card, and meet other urgent financial needs
What sets the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless apart from other nonprofits in your community?
We are an organization that does not take money from the federal or local government. This is a very intentional choice. Taking government money often comes with strings attached, not only for our organization but also for our clients.
Since we don’t take government money, we can offer low-barrier legal services. This means we don’t have to ask people to prove that they qualify for a government grant or to prove income eligibility, identity, or citizenship status prior to getting our services. We operate from the assumption that if somebody is coming to us for services that we have expertise in, then they need our help. So, we will help them.
Not taking government money also helps us further our advocacy efforts It allows us to speak truth to power without any fear of retribution Unfortunately, in our work, we are often adversarial to the government because that is who is harming our clients The government often cuts people out of a program or reduces their benefits Of course, this is not always the case, but it happens often Not taking money from the government puts us in a better position to be an independent voice
As an organization, we are also very nimble and strategic about the tools we use to solve a given problem. We do a lot of work in coalition with other people and organizations, including advocacy, nonviolent protest work, and other sorts of activism. We try to use all the tools in the toolbox, including writing legislation and going to court.
Lawyers are very client-led by profession, so it’s a natural extension of that value to orient towards community or client-led advocacy. Our clients come to us and tell us about these terrible things that may be happening to them and how they wish the system worked. We are able to work with our clients to fight for systemic reforms.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
Right now, the mayor is terminating housing support for 2,200 families in a program called rapid re-housing. She claims that the city cannot afford to help these families for more than 12 months, so the Department of Human Services will cut all 2,200 families off from their rental assistance and case management over three months. This will be a historic mass displacement. It will have serious repercussions throughout the city. The number of homeless children in schools will double in one fell swoop. Housing is incredibly expensive in DC, and you have to work at least two full-time minimum-wage jobs to afford a small apartment
Clients who are receiving termination notices are coming to our office, and we represent them in those appeals and help them request extensions Many of these families have never been assessed for other housing programs that they might be eligible for We help advocate for continued support when the families cannot afford to pay rent on their own.
Both with learnings from those legal cases and in collaboration with our client community, we are advocating that the city takes a different approach, a more humane approach, to the type and level of housing assistance it provides to people experiencing homelessness. We are regularly advocating for deeply affordable housing as the primary and most effective solution to homelessness. We believe that ending homelessness is not complicated or hard; it just takes sustained political will and consistent investments in what low-income DC residents say they need. We have a long way to go, but we are proud of the work we have done to fight for our clients’ legal rights as well as the services and programs they need to meet their needs
We believe that ending homelessness is not complicated or hard; it just takes sustained political will and consistent investments in what low-income DC residents say they need.
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
Broadly, I am proud of how we never give up. We’ve even been called “relentless” before, but what is important is that our clients know we are on their side. Our clients can count on us to be there when things are rough We push for the world to look different and be better We’ve been doing that for 37 years and counting
Our clients can count on us to be there when things are rough.
Many of us have been working with the organization for a long time. Personally, I’ve been there for 21 years. This kind of relentless and consistent advocacy has been important in the community. It has prevented many harmful things from happening and has made DC a more fair, humane, and equitable city.
Obviously, we have not achieved housing justice in the city yet. We are still far from it, but I think our presence in the community has gotten it a lot closer than if we weren’t there.
What do you want people to know about the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless?
I want people to realize how unaffordable Washington, DC, is to live in. The gap between people’s income and their rent is the primary reason we have homelessness. Many of the myths and stereotypes that people have about who is homeless aren’t true. In many highend jurisdictions and cities, homelessness can impact anyone.
In many high-end jurisdictions and cities, homelessness can impact anyone.
Lawyers can play a critical role in standing alongside people in crisis We are there not only to ensure basic needs are met but also to envision a world where people are truly seen as individuals and more structures and institutions are reformed
We want the city we live and/or work in to be a place where everyone can afford to live and enjoy all the aspects of the city.
How will you use the funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
Since we don’t take government money, we rely on individual donations and grants to survive We are a small but mighty organization with a big impact These funds are critical to providing support and services that are extremely necessary in our community
Our case numbers went up by more than 40% last year. The need is growing every day, so the more support we have from the community, the more we can grow to meet that demand.
Baltimore Hunger Project
Feeding bodies and minds.
To combat childhood food insecurity, Baltimore Hunger Project provides weekend food bags to nearly 2,000 students in 48 schools. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about Baltimore Hunger Project.
The idea behind Baltimore Hunger Project began in 2009 when two friends and I started Lynne’s Garage We brought friends and family together to make lunches for two shelters for women and children We gathered in my garage and worked in an assembly line to pack bags of turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips, fruit, and juice boxes
If you were comfortable donating money, you could do that. If you were comfortable bringing products, you could do that. It was a way to bring people together to do something for the greater community. We did this for nine years.
The truly special part of Lynne’s Garage was how we met families where they were. My favorite part was always delivering the lunches to the shelters. Whenever I showed up, the kids came running out and asked me, “Are you the lunch lady?”
This was before Baltimore City and County provided free breakfast and lunch to all students So, for these kids, I was always the lunch lady I would bring 200 lunches, and the kids would take these brown bag lunches to school the next day The moms would tell me how impactful it was for their kids to bring a brown bag lunch to school Their lives were so complicated, but to be able to show up on Monday with a brown bag lunch meant that they were just like their peers
Their lives were so complicated, but to be able to show up on Monday with a brown bag lunch meant that they were just like their peers.
I read a study that showed kids who don’t eat over the weekend cannot focus on their studies until Wednesday. So, I started thinking about what happens to kids on the weekends. Everybody talks about Monday through Friday, but nobody focuses on that weekend hunger gap. I thought that I could, so I began Baltimore Hunger Project in 2014 with the mission of eliminating childhood hunger.
We started by putting together weekend food bags for two schools and 30 children. Now, we have just finished our 10th year and have bridged the weekend hunger gap for nearly 2,000 students in 48 schools.
We take a holistic approach by focusing on feeding bodies and minds To me, this means taking care of Baltimore Hunger Project’s kids in the same way I take care of my own For example, we celebrate each child’s birthday by sending them home with a birthday kit, which includes a cake mix and oil It’s everything but the eggs and the oven Not only do these birthday kits ensure each child can be celebrated, but they also create an experience for the entire family
We also provide winter coats and socks. We support schools with period products. One in five girls don’t go to school when they have their period because they are uncomfortable or don’t have period products. Additionally, we support our school pantries to make sure we can help support the school community.
What services do you provide to the community?
Each food bag contains the equivalent of three meals for each student. One bag is sent home per child Inside every bag, we pack three cans of protein plus an additional can of tuna or chicken We provide shelf-stable milk, cereal, applesauce, two protein bars, and fruit snacks
We also began including plastic silverware because we found out that one of our students did not have silverware to eat the food We figured that if he didn’t have it, other kids likely had the same issue
One of the most important elements of our food bags is how we preserve the dignity of the kids we serve. When our food bags are delivered to the schools, they are brought directly to the community school facilitators, who slip the bags into the kids’ backpacks. We want to make sure that our kids feel comfortable taking home our food bags. It’s hard enough to be a child under any circumstance, but to be a child who needs a little something extra is even more challenging. By placing the bags inside of something they already have, they are not identified. This is important because then there is no stigma around receiving this aid.
One of the most important elements of our food bags is how we preserve the dignity of the kids we serve.
Each food bag also contains a beautiful note of encouragement inside Positive affirmations go a long way We have heard that many of the kids save these notes or put them on their fridge They get excited to see what message is in their bags
What sets Baltimore Hunger Project apart from other nonprofits in your community?
Our partnerships with schools and the community are very unique We work closely with our community school facilitators to determine how to better support the students throughout the year
We also have a large number of volunteers, including approximately 90 regular volunteers who are here all week. We pack food bags three times a week with different groups that volunteer with us, including both corporate and community groups.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
The students are all anonymous to us, but I did receive a bunch of notes from them at the end of the school year to thank us for the support. They were just some of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking stories.
One child wrote a note thanking us for the food because their mom works on the weekends, and without the food bags, they wouldn’t have anything to eat. Another child wrote, “Thank you for the sanitary products. Without them, I wouldn’t be going to school.”
We don’t often take the time to step back and consider what life might be like for somebody else. For example, I was at our facility recently when a woman walked in looking for food for her two small kids Normally, we don’t provide food like that, but she explained how, with schools being closed for the summer, she was having a hard time feeding her kids I showed her different places and resources where she could get food in the summer Then, I took her to the warehouse and loaded up boxes of food for her
Food insecurity is so overwhelming here It affects people you see when you go to the grocery store or run errands It is right in front of you all the time That person struggling could easily have been me or any one of us. Moments like this remind me how powerful the work we do is. This organization is making a difference for thousands of kids every week.
Food insecurity is so overwhelming here. It affects people you see when you go to the grocery store or run errands. It is right in front of you all the time.
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
One thing I am very proud of is our program called Empowering Minds. While we are currently feeding almost 2,000 students a week and making a significant impact that way, we are also educating high school students about food insecurity.
This program is based on four core questions: What is food insecurity? How can I relate to it? Why does it matter? How can I make a difference?
We challenge young adults to consider those four pillars and brainstorm solutions. We help teach young adults to think outside of their circumstances, focusing on empathy. Through this education, we empower these young adults to go back home and into their own communities and share that knowledge
How will you use the funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
As I mentioned before, we just celebrated our 10th anniversary. During this time, we have distributed over one million meals to students in Baltimore. Since each food bag costs about $7 to make, these donations really go a long way. The money we received from this partnership with Giant has been enough to provide 143 weekend food bags
Another great thing about the program is that Giant puts our name up in the stores, allowing people to see it Many people who may not have known about Baltimore Hunger Project might become interested in our organization and cause through this partnership
