From the Director’s Corner

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to share my sincere gratitude for the many donors and volunteers who make MUM’s work possible. Without their gifts of time, talent, food, and money, MUM would not be able to feed around 500 households each month and provide emergency financial assistance to those experiencing financial emergencies. We continue to see increasing numbers of people facing evictions and utility shut-offs and struggling to pay for prescription drugs. MUM is a small non-profit and relies on our steadfast supporters to fulfill our mission to support our neighbors in need. As we enter the busy holiday season, please know how much we appreciate you and we hope you will continue to support MUM’s important work in our community.

November 29 is GivingTuesday, and MUM is participating again this year in this global celebration and expression of generosity. The idea behind GivingTuesday is simple: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger in need, standing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who are less fortunate, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world in which we all want to live.

Supporting MUM through GivingTuesday is an opportunity to support your local neighbors facing financial challenges. MUM’s Sunday Mobile Pantries (see schedules here in English and Spanish) have continued to provide food to those facing food insecurity. In addition to increasing numbers of people coming on Sundays, MUM is also receiving more referrals and requests for assistance with eviction prevention, utility cutoff prevention, and prescription drugs. You can help MUM provide this wide variety of assistance by volunteering, making in-kind donations of food, and by supporting MUM financially.

Although GivingTuesday specifically targets November 29th this year, you can contribute now … and at any time. Know that your donations will go directly to supporting our neighbors in need! Call or write the office if you can do a food drive, give your time or talents, and here’s how to donate funds:

Here’s how to make a financial donation
Here’s how you can help by volunteering

Thank you so much from the MUM family to yours!

Dayna Brown, Executive Director

Upcoming Community Events

Kensington Senior Living will host its annual Friendsgiving Celebration and Stuff the Truck to benefit MUM on Thursday, November 17th! For those in the Kensington area, gather at Kensington Park to stuff the truck with donations at their 7th Annual Friendsgiving Celebration!

MUM will 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!

HalloWheaton returned to Wheaton on Sunday, October 30, and was a day of fun for all ages! MUM sold wine and beer for the grown-up revelers, raising $770 in proceeds to support our programs!

The Haunted Trail on Old Scream Road brought spooky Halloween fun to Kensington for seven fun-filled nights in October. Around 380 pounds of food was donated and $1600 in financial donations was collected from generous neighbors. Thanks to all who enjoyed this wonderful holiday tradition and contributed to MUM!

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