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Fall Challenges and Opportunities
As always, thank you for your continued support of MUM’s work! We continue to see a steady increase in the numbers of people calling and coming to our office for food and to apply for emergency financial assistance. The numbers seeking food at our monthly mobile food pantry also continue to grow–we served 287 families in August and over 260 in September!
What we are seeing at MUM is consistent with the experiences of others throughout our region and across the country, as reflected in the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Report 2023 (Hunger Report 2023 – CAFB Hunger Report (capitalareafoodbank.org) and Feeding America’s 2023 Elevating Voices to End Hunger Together: Insights Report (Elevating Voices | Feeding America), released during Hunger Awareness Month in September.
Amid these challenges, we continue to get support from Montgomery County, food banks, and farmers … and of course from you. Read more and discover fun and special community events coming up where you can continue your support of MUM.
Read MoreMUM Celebrates Continuing Partnerships & New Supporters
According to a recent Giving USA 2023 report, total charitable giving by corporations, foundations, individuals and bequests to support the work of nonprofit organizations dropped 10.5 percent in 2022, following two years of record generosity. This is sobering news, since we know the need for many services continues to grow.
Read MoreMUM Heads into Summertime!
May has been a very busy month for MUM! Facing the reality of having less food and funding as pandemic-era programs end, we have made the difficult decision to reduce the number of mobile food pantries we operate for the next few months, while evaluating our programming, seeking stakeholder input, and developing a strategic plan. Of course, our work doesn’t stop, and we continue to rely on donations of food, time and money to continue our operations. In May, for instance, we had a successful Stamp Out Hunger campaign and are grateful for the support of long-time supporter May Nakamura, who asked for donations to MUM to help celebrate her 103rd birthday! We look forward to your continued support during the Summer months!
Read MoreSupport MUM through Stamp Out Hunger
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation week, I want to thank the many volunteers who give their time and talents to MUM! We truly could not have supported the nearly 750 households we provided food to in March without so many wonderful volunteers. MUM’s dedicated volunteers show up in all kinds of weather and do whatever we ask of them.
Read MoreMUM Clients Face Growing Housing Challenges and Food Insecurity
MUM and other emergency assistance providers in Maryland and across the country are concerned about impending hunger and housing “cliffs” as pandemic-era emergency protections and benefit programs run out.
Read MoreWelcome to 2023!
As we announced in December, our year-end goal was to raise $20,000. MUM’s active Board of Directors agreed to match year-end donations up to $10,000. And thanks to many generous contributions, we made that goal by the end of the calendar year! Thank you for your generosity, which allows us to continue to support our neighbors in need!
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