As we ride this Maryland weather roller coaster, we note that Spring will indeed be here within a few weeks. Looking forward to that, it remains important to remember that many of our neighbors continue to face difficult situations throughout the year. MUM’s mobile pantry serves clients on four Sundays a month and offers assistance with eviction and utility cutoff prevention, as well as purchase of prescription drugs. We are grateful for the numerous individual, congregational, and corporate donors who make these services possible. We highlighted several grants last month and provide some updates here.

FACES Grant Helps MUM Provide Easy-Access Foods for the Homeless

Funding from the $10,000 Carl M. Freeman Foundation FACES (Freeman Assists Communities with Extra Support) Grant, is allowing MUM to provide higher quality foods like fruits and vegetables for all our clients, as well as addressing some needs specific to those who are homeless in our community.

On any given day, 647 people are experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County, according to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH). Some of them turn to MUM’s Mobile Food Pantry when they need food. Some of the foods we usually offer to households are difficult to manage or simply not usable for individuals who are unsheltered. Multi-serve packages, items that require the use of can openers or cookware, or foods that require prep work, can limit nutrition access for the homeless.

A portion of the FACES grant is allowing us to maintain a consistent, dedicated supply of easy-access, ready-to-eat choices that are more appropriate for our homeless friends and even some of our clients who have special circumstances. MUM can stock items like tuna on-the-go packs, single-serve peanut butter sandwich crackers, pop-top soups, granola and protein bars, individual cereal packs, individual packs of fruit and applesauce, and more. The FACES Grant also gives us an opportunity to offer single-serve fresh produce options to our homeless clients such as fresh apples, oranges and bananas.

MUM is once again grateful for the FACES Grant and how it is making a big difference in the lives of so many people in our community. We are especially pleased to be in a better position to offer high-energy, high-quality foods to our homeless neighbors so they can get the good nutrition they deserve.

The Capital Area Food Bank Continues to Support MUM

Nearly 2,000 people (about a third of which are children) receive food assistance from the MUM Mobile Food Pantry each month. Clearly, families in the communities we serve are still struggling in record numbers to put food on the table, and the need for MUM’s help is still great.

That’s why we appreciate community partners like the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), which has awarded MUM a $2,000 grant to purchase food for families in need. We are thankful for their continued support as MUM resolves to remain a trusted resource for families in crisis throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Thank you! As always, MUM is thankful for these resources and more, including your continuing individual and congregational donations, as well as and grants and other assistance from Manna Food Center, Stanley Foods, Inc., and Montgomery County!

Be on the lookout for more information! Stamp Out Hunger is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2022. Plans are underway to tentatively hold the in-person food drive, which due to COVID was suspended in 2020 and replaced with an on-line fundraiser in 2021. Stay tuned for more 2022 information as it’s available!

Remember –

Our Sunday Mobile Pantry (English | Spanish) serves neighbors in need on the first through fourth Sunday of every month! Households in zip codes 20906, 20902, 20853, 20895 and 20896 may receive food once a month.
Appointments for assistance with eviction prevention, utilities cut-off, and prescription drugs can be made by contacting the MUM office by telephone at 301-929-8675 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.