HALETHORPE, Md. — We are two months into the coronavirus pandemic and the Maryland Food Bank says the need for food is just as high now as it was in mid-March.
WMAR-2 News presented a $1,000 check to the Maryland Food Bank from the Scripps Howard Foundation, a charity run by the station's parent company E.W. Scripps.
In the first month of the pandemic, the food bank spent about $3.6 million on food purchases, compared to the $200,000 it usually spends buying food each month.
It even opened a second warehouse in Lansdowne to fill boxes that will feed a family of four for a week.
"The financial support has been overwhelming. The community has come out in a big way for us and we truly appreciate that," said Carmen Del Guercio, the CEO/President of the Maryland Food Bank.
"The response to this pandemic is not going to end in 60 or 90 days. This is something we’re going to be dealing with for months on end, and as we begin to do our planning for fiscal year 2021, we fully anticipate this heightened level of demand is going to be with us for some time," he said.
The Maryland Food Bank is looking to raise $12 million by June 30 for its COVID-19 response efforts. If you are able, consider donating to the WMAR-2 News virtual food drive by clicking here.
