OWINGS MILLS, Md. — There are more than 50 sites across Baltimore County that give out food to those in need. They partner with county government to provide the assistance.
Now, BCSTAT- the county's data team - has launched an online Food Pantry Locator, which maps out all the county's partner food distribution sites and is available here. The goal of the food pantry locator is to create a centralized place for families - and students - to find help nearest them.
Besides a map of the sites, the locator also provides information like contact information, hours of operation, and special instructions.
The data will also help determine which parts of the county could use more resources, said Laurie Taylor-Mitchell, founder of the Student Support Network. She founded the non-profit in 2015 to help students in need at Loch Raven High School, and the organization has since gone countywide.
SSN notes that two-thirds - more than 66 percent - of students in Baltimore County Public Schools live in poverty.
"And that's up from somewhere just under 50 before the pandemic, and it's growing," said Ronald McDade, board president for the Baltimore County Student Support Network.
The nonprofit providing students with the basics like school supplies, toiletries, food...
"And anything else that the student would need to prepare for their school day, and be able to focus on the content of the day, instead of - where's dinner coming from tonight?" McDade explained.
One of the places where the nonprofit gets its produce and non-perishables from is the food pantry at Rock City Church. It's one of more than 50 such sites in Baltimore County; it also happens to be the largest free food distribution center in the state.
Bart Pierce - the bishop at Rock City Church says this tool needed now more than ever.
"I believe we're at a time right now that we've not been at in my history of 40 years that we're facing. People are going away from the grocery store with less and less food."
Baltimore County Johnny Olszewski said in a statement that the new food pantry locator will "continue to come together to expand food security, combat hunger, and support our neighbors in need.”
Olszewski's administration noted that it's the latest effort to combat food insecurity, after providing $1.2 million (combining with another $1.5 million from the state) toward the Summer SNAP for Children program, and after Baltimore County Public Schools began offering all enrolled students free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income.
