The government shutdown may be over right now, but many in our community still need our help.
WMAR-2 News is working for you and working to fight hunger with Weis Markets. During the recent government shutdown, food banks found themselves unprepared to help the large amount of people in need of extra assistance.
The Maryland Food Bank says there were 172,000 federal workers in our state that were not getting paid during the shutdown, and a lot of them used food banks for help. This is on top of the thousands of people the food bank already helps daily.
“Many of the federal families found themselves in a situation that some families face on a daily basis,” explained Joanna Warner, the Director of Communications for the Maryland Food Bank.
Warner said like a natural disaster, the food bank had no idea this was coming. So now they not only need donations to help restock their shelves, but they need to save up food and resources just in case another incident like this happens again soon.
To help with this need, WMAR-2 News is hosting a food drive with Weis Markets. On Thursday January 31, you can head to the Weis Market in Towson (1238 Putty Hill Ave, Towson, MD 21286) and donate much needed items to the Maryland Food Bank.
While food donations are accepted and encouraged, Warner says monetary donations are preferred. She says that every $1 donated provides up to three meals for families because of their partnerships with wholesale retailers. Also, by donating money the food banks are able to make sure they are buying food with the nutritional value that a person needs instead of what people have lying around their house.
If you want to help your neighbors at the Maryland Food Bank you do not need to wait until Thursday! You can click here to donate to their virtual food drive and make a difference.
Weis Markets works to fight hunger year round. “At Weis Markets we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve and recognize there’s a special need, and we are pleased to support the Maryland Food Bank in its mission to help Federal families impacted by the recent shutdown,” Dennis Curtin, Director of Public Relations.
Weis Markets will also be donating $10,000 as part of their Weis Fight Hunger initiative.
