'Buy A Family A Meal' Campaign To Help Families Facing Hunger

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Purchases at area wine and liquor retailers in the next month can help feed hungry Anne Arundel County families.

Katcef Brothers, in partnership with Stella Artois and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank on Monday announced the “Buy a Family a Meal” campaign, to support families coping with food insecurity in Anne Arundel County.

On Fridays from July 23 through Aug. 27, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., the sponsors and local retail partners will encourage $5 donations to “Buy a Family a Meal.”

All contributions from the events will go to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, which will use them to buy meals for families in need. For each $5 donation, the food bank can provide 15 meals to area families.

The first “Buy a Family a Meal” event will be held July 23 at Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold.

Katcef Brothers is an Annapolis-based, family-owned beer wholesaler affiliated with Anheuser-
Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s largest brewer and the producer of Stella Artois. Katcef
Brothers serves retail establishments in Anne Arundel and Howard counties.

“With our county still suffering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must do
everything we can to support our neighbors,” said Neal Katcef, president of Katcef Brothers, in a news release. “Katcef Brothers is proud to partner with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and Stella Artois to provide meals to Anne Arundel County families.”

“The pandemic’s lasting effects have seen the number of people facing food insecurity increase
throughout Anne Arundel County, especially for families,” said Susan Thomas, executive
director of Anne Arundel County Food Bank, in a statement. “We are grateful for the support Katcef Brothers and Stella Artois are providing to area families served by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.”

The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insecurity in Anne Arundel County, the agency said. Since March 2020, AACFB has seen a 482 percent increase in the number of people seeking assistance at food pantries and, in response, distributed nearly 9 million pounds of food throughout Anne Arundel County.

Today, the food bank continues to see an average of 64,000 people per month that rely on its food and basic necessity programs.

The need for food donations in Anne Arundel County remains high. In recent months, Anne Arundel County Food Bank has had a 76 percent drop-off in food donations.

Due to the pandemic the food bank saw one of its largest food drives canceled for the second year in a row; the drive typically generates roughly 40,000 pounds in food donations for the people of Anne Arundel County.

“Buy a Family a Meal” Dates, Retailers And Town

• July 23: Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy., Arnold
• July 30: Bella's Liquors, 1376 Cape St. Claire Road, Annapolis
• Aug. 6: Whitney's Liquors, 803 N. Hammonds Road, Linthicum Heights
• Aug. 13: Port Tack Ltd. Wine & Spirits, 1246 Bay Dale Drive, Arnold
• Aug. 20: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, 111 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
• Aug. 27: Christo's Discount Liquors, 7175 Baltimore, Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie

About Anne Arundel County Food Bank

Anne Arundel County Food Bank has provided hunger relief to people throughout the county since 1986. The nonprofit works to collect, purchase, store, and distribute food to member agencies and programs, serving over 60,000 households per month throughout Anne Arundel County. Since the pandemic began, AACFB has seen a 482 percent increase in the number of people seeking food assistance and in response the food bank has distributed 6.4 million pounds of food. To join in the fight to end hunger by volunteering or donating, visit www.aafoodbank.org.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.