Concert to Benefit MUM

Mark your calendar to attend a concert benefiting MUM on Sunday, April 24 at 4 pm at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church (cedarlane.org). Part of Cedar Lane’s Spring 2022 Series, the concert will be performed in person and live-streamed on YouTube. It will feature the Cedar Lane Vocal Trio, Dr. Shuai Wang and Dr. Jasmin Lee on piano, and Elliot Beck and Eric Plewinski on percussion. Selections from Bartok’s Sonata for Two Piano and Percussion, Philidor, Lutoslawski, Takemitsu, and more will be performed.

All are welcome and admission is free, although attendees are encouraged to consider a free will love offering of $20, and to bring non-perishable food items for donation. All proceeds from the concert will benefit MUM.

Please join us at 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda MD 20814 on April 24 for this event to benefit MUM!

Stamp Out Hunger on May 14! Be on the lookout for more information!

For 30 years, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has conducted an annual nationwide food drive, collecting non-perishable food donations along postal routes. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which was cancelled in 2020 and went online in 2021 due to COVID, returns this spring on Saturday, May 14, 2022! Stay tuned for more information as it’s available, and plan to donate food and consider volunteering to help!

County Grant Funds Help Keep MUM Operating

Like all households and organizations, MUM is feeling the pressure of inflation. The cost of many staple items we offer at our mobile food pantry have continued to rise just in the past few weeks. As we continue to stretch our dollars and seek resources to keep our pantry stocked and funds available for emergency financial assistance, it is particularly helpful to have grant funding that helps us cover some of the other expenses associated with keeping the organization running.

Funding from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Community Services Grant recently allowed us to purchase a desktop computer, laptop and air purification for the MUM office. Funding like this puts MUM in a better position to serve neighbors who turn to us for help with dignity and professionalism. Technology upgrades allow us to streamline processes, increase efficiency and offer help with greater confidentiality. Air filtration enhances the health and safety of clients, as well as MUM staff and volunteers, when they come to our office. As previously noted, the county’s Community Services Grant also covered the cost of additional commercial refrigeration so that MUM could increase its capacity to store and provide fresh foods for our clients. The grant will also provide for additional technology and office updates in the next few months.

MUM is grateful for these county funds that cover equipment, supplies and technology. Having funds for those items allows us to then allocate our limited resources toward direct emergency assistance, including the foods distributed at the MUM Mobile Food Pantry or financial assistance for eviction prevention, utility shut-offs and prescriptions.