Food Drive Saturday To Offset Loss Of SNAP Benefits

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — In response to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being suspended due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, county leaders announced that the Howard County government will host a non-perishable food collection drive this Saturday at multiple locations across the county to help residents in need.

“With more than 13,000 households in Howard County, including some 7,000 children, facing the loss of their SNAP benefits this weekend, our county government is stepping forward with a community-wide food collection drive to help our most vulnerable residents,” Ball said. “In difficult times like these, Howard County’s spirit shines brightest as our neighbors come together, our partners mobilize, and we make sure no one goes hungry.”

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, community members can visit one of five locations to donate non-perishable foods items:

• Gary J Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville
• George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
• Department of Recreation & Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
• North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
• Rockburn Branch Park - Pfeiffer’s Corner Schoolhouse, 6109 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge

Items collected during the drive will be given to government, nonprofit and educational partners for distribution, including:

• The Community Action Council of Howard County’s 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 and Feed HoCo

“Food is a human right, not a privilege. In Howard County, more than 60,000 residents face food insecurity when we account for both traditional need and working families who fall below the ALICE threshold. We are proud to stand with the Howard County Government in this vital effort to reduce hunger and uphold dignity for all,” said Sanjay Srivastava, president of the Indian Cultural Association and FEED HoCo, Inc.

Currently, the following non-perishable food items are requested:

• Bags of rice
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Spices
• Soups
• Tuna
• Peanut Butter
• Sauces and condiments
• Bags of dry beans
• Hot and cold cereal
• 100% fruit juice

In addition to these non-perishable food items, there is an urgent need for the following essential household and hygiene items to support local Howard County families, including:

• Diapers (size 4+)
• Hygiene products (feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• Dish soap
• Cleaning products

“As Howard County’s designated antipoverty community action agency, the CAC stands ready to act and respond to community needs, regardless of the reason. Today is no different,” said Tracy Broccolino, CAC president. “We are prepared to connect residents to critical resources through its five core services: food assistance, housing assistance, energy assistance, weatherization and early childhood education.”

Residents unable to make Saturday’s non-perishable food collection drive who would still like to help can make a financial donation to the CAC on its “donate” website, stop by the Food Bank Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to drop off items for donation or email CAC’s Engagement Team at engagementteam@cac-hc.org to learn how you can start your own virtual food drive.

The following Howard County locations will continue to collect non-perishable food and household items in their lobbies throughout the week:

· Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville
· North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
· Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City
· Meadowbrook Athletic Complex, 5001 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City
· Howard County Multiservice Center, 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1, Laurel
· Department of Community Resources and Services, 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia
· Department of Recreation & Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia