From the Director’s Corner

Thank you for continuing to support MUM’s work! In the last six months since I joined MUM as the Executive Director, we have fully opened our office and in-office food pantry. During this time, we have seen a steady increase in the numbers of people calling and coming to our office for food and to apply for emergency financial assistance for rent and to prevent evictions, for utility assistance to prevent shut-offs and for prescription drug assistance. The moratoriums on evictions and utility shut-offs that were in place during the Covid pandemic have been lifted and some landlords are now taking action to evict people so that they can raise rents in this competitive market. As you probably know, there is a dire shortage of affordable housing in Montgomery County which negatively impacts many of MUM’s clients.

Inflation is affecting many families in our area, leading to food insecurity and financial struggles. MUM continues to serve 150-200 families each week in our office and at our Sunday Mobile Food Pantries on the first, second, and fourth Sunday of each month, as well as in our office food pantry. Note that there will be some changes to our December schedule to accommodate the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. View the calendar (English | En Español).

With help from Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, faith communities, businesses, individual donors, and others, MUM continues to provide support to those facing food insecurity financial challenges. But the needs continue to be greater than the resources we currently have, and we are seeking more partnerships and funding to meet those needs and ensure that no one has to go hungry or experience homelessness.

In addition to financial contributions, MUM can always use volunteers to help at our Sunday Mobile Food Pantry sites, in the office, at our food storage location, and in organizing food drives and fundraising events. For more information on how you can help, see more details on our website: How You Can Help or call our office at 301-929-8675.

Thanks again for your continued interest in and support of MUM!

Dayna Brown, Executive Director

Mobile Pantry Supported by the Capital Area Food Bank

MUM is grateful that the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) has been providing boxes of both non-perishable food and produce since late August for distribution to our clients. Most of the boxes are distributed at our Sunday Mobile Pantries, and some are also available at our office food pantry. These boxes are packed with nutritious food that is supplemented by food we order from CAFB through a grant from Montgomery County, as well as donations of produce from farmers markets and community farms.

Upcoming Community Events that Benefit MUM

HalloWheaton returns to Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton on Sunday, October 30, from noon until 4 pm. Mark your calendars and join us for this day of fun for all ages! MUM will be selling wine and beer for the grown-up revelers!

The Haunted Trail on Old Scream Road brings spooky Halloween fun to 9713 Old Spring Road, Kensington MD 20895, for seven fun-filled nights – Friday through Sunday, October 21, 22 and 23 – and again Friday through Monday, October 28, 29, 30 and 31. Guests are invited but not required to bring in-kind donations of non-perishable food or financial donations by cash or check. Those donations will go to support the work of MUM! So, head over for spooky fun!

MUM will once again participate in Giving Tuesday on November 29 and appreciates your support! Giving Tuesday is a global movement encouraging generosity. While it focuses on that specific date, you can contribute any time, knowing that your donations will go directly to our clients who depend on MUM for themselves and their families!

MUM will also receive donations made through the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive (GGCFD) during the first weekend of December (December 2nd and 3rd)! For over thirty years, the GGCFD has been supporting food banks in the DC area through neighborhood food drives, launching a tradition of service for many families. We are delighted that this year MUM will be a recipient and ask you to be sure to contribute food that weekend! To learn more about the GGCFD see their website Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive

Special Thanks!

A great big thank you to everyone who donated food at the Labor Day Food Drive hosted by Safeway in Kensington. Over 1,000 pounds of food was collected from shoppers that day!

Thanks also to those who treated themselves or someone to a Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet at the Giant Food located at 2900 University Blvd. West in Wheaton during September! Each bouquet purchased meant $1 to MUM and we received $145 from this program.

Again, thanks to everyone who Helped Students Get Ready for Back to School through Macy’s (Wheaton) supply drive in August!

MUM Office Hours

MUM’s office and office food pantry are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm. All staff and visitors are still asked to wear masks. Note the MUM Office will be closed to accommodate holidays as follows:

• CLOSED Wednesday, November 23 at noon through Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24.
• CLOSED December 27, 28 and 29.

Appointments for assistance with eviction prevention, utility shut-off prevention, and purchase of 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