The Meals & Hope Food Truck, the mobile food assistance program of the Southern Maryland Food Bank, will add additional locations after it begins its 2024 service on March 13.
Last year, the food truck gave out 2,631 hot meals at distributions. This year, Nanjemoy Community Center (4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy, MD 20662) and Church of the Ascension (21641 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park MD 20653) are being added to the distribution locations.
The mobile program is important because it serves “food to those in need where they are, not where we want them to be,” said George Mattingly, food bank and outreach services manager. “The food truck is not just about providing a meal; it’s about providing hope, nourishment and a sense of community to those who need it most.”
The truck serves meals from 5 to 6 p.m. most Wednesdays at rotating locations for those with limited access to food. Anyone who comes to the truck is served, and no requirements or registration is needed to receive a meal.
The food bank sources food from its own Seeds of Hope Community Garden and meals through partnerships with local churches such as LaPlata United Methodist Church and St. Ignatius Chapel Point. Meals provided through community partnerships allow the food truck to offer a diverse menu of nutritious, hot meals. The menu varies from week to week but can include comforting dishes like chili, meatloaf and lasagna along with potatoes, green beans, salad, bread and dessert.
Food bank employees man the truck and give out meals, while volunteers from partner churches direct traffic and help with distribution.
The first distribution on March 13 will be at Pisgah United Methodist Church (7020 Poorhouse Road, La Plata, MD 20646) with dinner made by LaPlata United Methodist Church.
The upcoming schedule also includes:
March 20: Distribution at In His Community Ministry (7305 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head, MD 20616) with the meal prepared by St. Ignatius Chapel Point.
April 10: Distribution at Pisgah United Methodist Church with dinner made by LaPlata United Methodist Church.
April 17: Distribution at In His Community Ministry with the meal prepared by St. Ignatius Chapel Point.
April 24: Distribution at Lifestream Church of the Nazarene (5105 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601) with the meal prepared by Southern Maryland Food Bank.
The Nanjemoy Community Center (drive-through distribution) and Church of the Ascension (walk-up distribution) will be added to the schedule later this spring.
To learn more about the Southern Maryland Food Bank and how you can make a gift or volunteer, visit https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/program/southern-maryland-food-bank/
Share:
You May Also Like:
Photo Gallery