Find Food Pantries Across Howard County During Government Shutdown

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As the longest government shutdown continues, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball spoke out about the situation and reminded residents of the programs and services available to them, including food banks.

“For 36 days, our federal government has been shuttered – the longest shutdown in our nation’s history. This event has had a devastating impact across our country, our region and our state, as families continue to face financial hardships, local businesses experience strain and critical services are put at risk," Ball said.

"In Howard County, the effects of the shutdown are particularly significant as approximately 11 percent of our residents are federal employees, dedicated public servants who work tirelessly to keep our government and our nation running, with additional impacted federal contractors, who aren’t getting paid. As a result of this unnecessary shutdown, many of our residents are struggling to make ends meet through no fault of their own. Their commitment and service to our nation should be honored, not politicized," he said.

Since the shutdown started Oct. 1 and even before in response to the mass federal layoffs earlier this year, Howard County implemented several measures to minimize the impact and assist community members.

Related: Furloughed Workers To Receive Additional Support From Howard Co. Leaders

A county-wide food drive was held Nov. 1. Roughly 1,600 county residents and Howard County government employees stopped by one of the county’s five food drive drop-off locations Saturday to donate more than 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food items.

These items will be donated to governmental, nonprofit and educational partners including:

• The Community Action Council of Howard County’s (CAC) Howard County Food Bank, located at 9385 Gerwig Lane, Suite J in Columbia
• The Food Pantry at the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Howard County MultiService Center, located at 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1 in Laurel
• Howard Community College’s Fueling Dragons Food Pantry
• Columbia Community Care
• Howard County Muslim Council
• Indian Cultural Association of Howard County

The CAC has extended its food assistance to federal employees. During the shutdown, federal employees living in Howard County can stop by CAC’s food bank twice a month to collect a pre-bag of shelf staples. Federal employees who have been terminated can visit the food bank twice a month for up to three months.

To find food pantries based out of churches or with non profits, search here or visit this site.