At this critical time when so many families in our community are still struggling through the lingering pandemic, MUM is grateful to have been awarded the grants outlined here, each of which will play an important part in allowing our services to the community to continue.

FACES Grant Keeps Fresh Foods on Hand

For the families we serve, obtaining an adequate quantity of food is hard enough. Obtaining higher quality foods, like fruits and vegetables, which enhance overall good health, can be entirely out of reach. It has long been MUM’s goal to provide a consistent source of fresh, healthy foods for our clients because we know the value of good nutrition. Funding from the $10,000 Carl M. Freeman Foundation FACES (Freeman Assists Communities with Extra Support) Grant, announced here in December, is allowing us to meet that goal.

Many of the people we serve suffer from conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Nutritious food can make a huge difference in managing, and even preventing, chronic diseases. Good nutrition can improve students’ academic performance and behavior too. The FACES Grant helps MUM provide fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy through our Sunday Mobile Pantry. Providing these fresh options, along with non-perishable items, not only sustains our families facing hunger, but has a positive impact on their health and well-being. Buying these fresh foods locally also helps MUM support our local farmers!

MUM Wins Enterprise Holdings Foundation Grant

Enterprise Holdings Foundation has awarded MUM a $2,500 grant, which will help us continue our fight against hunger and will support our eviction and utility shut-off prevention efforts.

Founded in 1957 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, Enterprise Holdings is the world’s largest car rental company and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car brands. The company created Enterprise Holdings Foundation in 1982 to give back to the communities where employees and partners live and work. The Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to local nonprofits focused on community improvement, education and environmental stewardship.

MUM has received the Enterprise Holdings Foundation Grant in years past. The Foundation’s continued partnership allows us to keep offering emergency assistance when our neighbors call on us for help.

MUM Awarded Grant from The Starbucks Foundation

As part of The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, and thanks to a nomination from a partner (employee) from the Burnt Mills Starbucks location, MUM has been selected to receive a $1,000 grant. Not only is our nominator a Starbucks barista, but she is also a treasured MUM Mobile Pantry volunteer who has served faithfully during the pandemic along with her brother and has seen the increasing need in our community to address food insecurity.

MUM appreciates this recommendation for a grant award and is thankful to The Starbucks Foundation for recognizing the important work MUM is doing in our community to help people in crisis. As so many families in the neighborhoods we serve continue to struggle to put food on the table, this grant will help MUM secure additional food to be distributed at our Sunday Mobile Pantry locations.

The Starbucks Foundation supports a wide range of causes through nonprofit investments, which include causes that Starbucks partners (employees) are passionate about addressing in their communities. Since 2019, the Foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million to more than 3,500 organizations through the Neighborhood Grants program.

Grant Funds Provide Additional Refrigeration at MUM

MUM has just purchased a new commercial refrigerator thanks to funding from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Community Services Grant. Having additional refrigeration allows us to provide more fresh choices for our clients at our Sunday Mobile Pantry.

Having fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy available at each Mobile Pantry (along with shelf-stable items) improves the overall nutritional quality of what we offer and can have a significant impact on health and wellness. MUM has recently secured funding through the FACES grant referenced above, as well as Sudano’s Produce, to provide more fresh foods. The county grant increases our capacity to store these items and have them available for distribution each week.

This grant also provides for computer upgrades and air filtration at MUM’s Wheaton office. This puts MUM in a position to serve our clients more efficiently and professionally while making safety a priority for both staff and clients.

MUM is thankful for these resources and more, including

• Giant Food (store located at 2900 University Blvd. West in Wheaton) will donate $1 to MUM from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag during the month of February 2022. Be sure to purchase a bag to help protect the environment and to support MUM!
• You – the MUM community – continue to provide funds and gifts in kind, helping our neighbors in need throughout the year.
• Grants and other assistance from Capital Area Food Bank, Manna Food Center, Stanley Foods, Inc., and Montgomery County, have supported and continue to support MUM’s efforts.

Thank you for celebrating the receipt of the highlighted grants with us, and for your continuing support of MUM!

Remember that our in-office food pantry continues to be closed due to COVID restrictions. Sunday Mobile Pantry (English | Spanish) serves neighbors in need on the first through fourth Sunday of every month!

Appointments for assistance with eviction, utilities, and prescription drugs can be made by contacting the MUM office by telephone at 301-929-8675, by fax at 301-929-8234, or by email at office@mumhelp.org.

Giving to MUM is easy!

Here’s how to make a financial donation.

Here’s how you can help by volunteering

Here’s how to provide gifts to families with young children through our Amazon Wish List