I need to share an urgent challenge that MUM is facing and to ask for your support in ensuring that our community’s most vulnerable residents continue to receive the essential services they depend on. MUM has long been a vital lifeline for individuals and families in need, providing food assistance, emergency financial aid, referrals, and other critical resources. 

Unfortunately, with reductions in federal, state, and local funding for programs and services that many in our community rely on, our ability to meet the growing needs is at risk. At a time when more of our neighbors are struggling with food insecurity, housing instability (see the item below on the recent increase in people experiencing homelessness), and rising costs of living, this decrease in funding could have devastating effects on our community.

We cannot do this alone. We are calling on local businesses, faith-based organizations, civic groups, and individuals like you to help bridge the gap. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Donate – Your financial support, no matter the amount, directly funds food distribution, rental assistance, and utility aid for families in crisis.
• Volunteer – We need compassionate individuals to help with our food pantries, food drives, community outreach and other tasks.
• Spread the Word – Help raise awareness about MUM’s mission by sharing our story with your networks, attending our events, and advocating for those in need.
• Corporate & Organizational Partnerships – Businesses and groups can sponsor programs, host fundraising events, organize food and diaper drives, and provide pro bono services to support our efforts.

With your generosity and involvement, we can continue to provide a safety net for those who need it most. Please consider making a donation today or reaching out to explore ways to get involved. If you have any questions or would like to discuss partnership opportunities, feel free to contact us by telephone at 301-929-8675, or by email at office@mumhelp.org.

Together, we can ensure that Montgomery County remains a place where no one is left behind. Thank you for being a part of our compassionate community.

With gratitude,

Derrick B. Owens
MUM Board President

More Montgomery County Residents Experiencing Homelessness

The number of adults and children experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County increased by 356 individuals, an overall increase of 32% from 2024, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) survey report released May 14, Montgomery County issued a press release including a summary of the impact in Montgomery county, on May 15.

The PIT survey is part of an annual regional analysis and report that started in 2001. Montgomery County’s PIT count was conducted on the night of Jan. 29, 2025, as part of the nationwide effort to count people experiencing homelessness. The count is a snapshot of one given night, and the numbers should be considered within the context of year-round numbers. 

Montgomery County’s survey counted 1,510 adults and children experiencing homelessness and residing in shelters, transitional housing or who were unsheltered. This includes 796 adult-only households and 204 families with minor children.

Numerous factors contribute to the increase in Montgomery County, including the lack of affordable housing, increasing rents, inflation, and the end of the COVID-era Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds, all leading to increased evictions. These factors have had a particularly adverse impact on families since the pandemic.

Both County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Kate Stewart are quoted in the press release, recognizing the need to make the experience of homelessness in Montgomery County rare, brief and nonrecurring.

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services Office of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH) currently funds about half of MUM’s emergency financial assistance program that aims to prevent homelessness and to help our neighbors keep their utilities on. Since the beginning of January 2025, MUM has spent close to $40,000 assisting 21 households facing eviction to stay in their homes, restored utilities that had been shut off for 4 households, and prevented the utilities being shut off for 30 households.  

This is a record number of households and spending for MUM. We have worked in partnership with SEPH and other local organizations to combine our funds to help many of these households who owed thousands of dollars in back rent or for utilities. At this time, we are only able to help people once they have a court summons, court judgement or utility shut-off notice. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient funds to help people before they get to that crisis point.

As rents and the costs of utilities go up, we continue to see increasing needs for these services and we need more funding to keep providing assistance for our neighbors. Your donation today can make a big difference in preventing more neighbors from experiencing homelessness or having their utilities shut-off.

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