From the Director’s Corner

Thanks to the support of our donors, partners and volunteers, MUM continues to serve our neighbors amidst increased demand for our services. To see some of our accomplishments over the past few years, you can now review our FY2023 and FY2022 annual reports on our website. In Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), MUM had the following impact:

• MUM helped more than 7,000 people in some of the most underserved communities in our area. We provided nearly 240,000 pounds of food for 6,858 people; helped 78 people avoid eviction and homelessness by providing rental assistance; helped 229 people keep utilities on; and helped 14 people with much-needed prescriptions.
• We set a goal for half of the food clients received at our free-choice food pantries was fresh fruits and vegetables. We were able to surpass this goal in FY24! Now, more than 50% of what clients receive at each food pantry visit is fresh produce.
• This past spring, we launched our first Food Is Medicine program, funded by the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, in partnership with Proyecto Salud health clinic, Community FarmShare, which connects local farms with food insecure families, and Holy Cross Health. This effort combines healthy food with nutrition education to help diabetic participants and their families not only reduce food insecurity but also change their dietary behaviors and positively impact their health for the long-term.

As we work with clients and understand the myriad challenges that they often face, we realize that we need to do more to address the underlying causes of their food and financial insecurity, particularly the need for more affordable housing, childcare, healthcare and living wages. While Montgomery County is one of the wealthiest and most diverse counties in the country, the disparities in income makes it very difficult for many people to just make ends meet. Data in the recently released Hunger Report 2024, shows that despite overall good economic news, there is a different reality unfolding for a growing number of people. 

I hope you celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from September 15 through October 15, honoring the rich history, culture, food, music and accomplishments of the Spanish, Mexican and Central and South American people who have immigrated to the U.S. MUM is proud to serve a very diverse client population, about 75% of whom are Latino. 
 
Thank you for your continued support of MUM as we work to meet the needs of those struggling in our community. We couldn’t do it without our committed partners and volunteers!
 
In Gratitude,
Dayna Brown, Executive Director

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Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report 2024

The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) recently released Hunger Report 2024 includes new data showing that despite overall good economic news, there is a different reality unfolding for a growing number of people. Across the Greater Washington Region, 37% of people experienced food insecurity in the year prior to the survey (May 2023 to May 2024). That number is up 5 percentage points since the 2023 report. Highlights from the report include:

• In Montgomery County, 34% of residents struggled to access enough food to eat. That number is up 5 percentage points since the 2023 report. 
• Food insecurity continues to disproportionately affect communities of color, families with children, and those with lower incomes and levels of education. However, looking at trends year over year, it stands out that the food insecure population is growing increasingly educated and more middle class.
• Data indicates that key drivers of increasing food insecurity include lack of affordable housing and child care, the end of pandemic-era federal benefits, and ongoing employment hardships.
• Recommendations for addressing food insecurity.

Read the full CAFB Hunger Report 2024.

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Help MUM to Raise Funds to Support our Neighbors!

This year, for the first time, state and federal employees and retirees can give to  MUM through their workplaces as MUM participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC) and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

State employees and eligible retirees can give to MUM through the MCC workplace charitable giving program from October 7 through December 13, 2024. Go to Maryland Charity Campaign and search for MUM at MCC# 52-2072343.

If you’re a Federal employee or retiree, you can give to MUM through the CFC, which has just kicked off and runs through January 15, 2025. Go to Combined Federal Campaign Combined Federal Campaign and search for MUM at CFC# 43740. Or use the QR code below:

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Macy’s Roundup Campaign

From October 16 through October 31, Macy’s Wheaton Plaza will offer customers the opportunity to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar to donate to their designated charity, MUM. We are very grateful to Macy’s for their long-standing partnership and encourage our supporters to shop at Macy’s and “roundup” for MUM!

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Haunted Trail on Old Scream Road

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, Saturday and Sunday nights, October 18, 19, and 20 – and again Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, October 25, 26, and 27 – and on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31! Volunteers are needed to help out! 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, let us know if you can help with this event and head over for spooky fun! Email office@mumhelp.org or call 301-929-8675.

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HalloWheaton!

MUM will be managing the Beer and Wine Garden at the annual HalloWheaton event on October 27th from 12 to 4pm. This is a fun event for the whole family with free s’mores roasting, pumpkin painting, costume contests, Halloween crafts, face-painting, photo ops, and more at HalloWheaton. Adult activities include a beer garden, fire pits, yard games, and a zombie trailer. This is the 4th annual HalloWheaton event at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive. Please let us know if you can volunteer to help with the beer and wine garden at this great community event!