Feeding the Needs in Southern Maryland

Story by Angela Dion
Photography by John Kite

Every Monday morning when Brenda DiCarlo arrives for work at the Southern Maryland Food Bank in Hughesville, representatives from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties are waiting to fill their pantries. The food bank services nearly 20 pantries in the tri-county area.

DiCarlo receives her food primarily from the Maryland Food Bank. She submits a menu every week and the food is delivered by Friday. On Monday, dozens of volunteers are waiting to load food into their trucks and distribute it at their pantries. "This is the worst I've ever seen it," said DiCarlo, who has been director of the food bank for four years. The economy has a seesaw effect on hunger in Southern Maryland. When the economy is steady, the rate of food and monetary donations remains constant with the rate of people seeking food from the pantries the food bank services. As the country has fallen on difficult economic times, however, the need for food increases while donations decrease.

"Last year the pantries provided 250,000 pounds of food and this year we're already up to 350,000 pounds," said DiCarlo. "We would have given more if we had more to give."

Former Southern Maryland Food Bank Director George Mattingly said the "face of hunger is changing. While this new group of hungry is getting bigger, it's adding to the need for more food." Previously, pantries would see single-parent families, the elderly and others on a fixed income. For the first time, pantries are serving middle-class families earning $50,000 or more a year.

"During our first year (2004), we served about 25 families; now we've averaged 38 to 44 each month," said Judy Gardner, director of the Wayside Food Bank in Issue. "None of us know what tomorrow will bring. We're seeing people who have never had to ask for help."

The situation is the same in Calvert County. In September, the Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry in Huntingtown served 323 families, which is the most director Richard Fogg had seen since they opened in that late 1980s. The pantry represents eight churches in Northern Calvert County.

The Southern Maryland Food Bank relies on outside support to help stock the pantries. The Blue Crabs baseball team, Chaney Enterprises and The Southern Maryland Mustang Club are a few of its major contributors. This year it partnered with Leonardtown High School and Gianni's for a Kids Helping Kids fundraiser.

"This is a cause dear to my heart," said Christine Komer, the Gianni's sales representative who handled the fundraiser. "I see a huge need and can't sit back. I want to drive home the need for food to my entire community." Komer's son is a sophomore at Leonardtown, so the fundraiser blended community service, business and teen involvement.

Volunteers are often the backbone of most pantries. Janet Padgett is a volunteer at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church soup kitchen and food pantry in Leonardtown. Each Thursday, volunteers distribute a hot meal and a bag of groceries to each family that comes to the kitchen. Padgett has been volunteering there for more than 10 years.

"I retired and this gives me something to do with my time; I have fun," she said. "After all of this time, I've gotten to know a lot of the people who come each week. They bring family photos and we laugh and have a good time. It is an easy way to do a worthwhile thing."

DiCarlo believes the volunteers "are the real heroes. They show up with a smile even though they can't give out as much as they want."

Gardner added, "I've seen people improve their situations and now they offer others a ride. We are not a handout, but a helping hand."

DiCarlo offers some suggestions for individuals and businesses who want to help.

Individuals should remember that spring and summer are critical seasons for the food bank. "The kids are out of school so they don't get free and reduced lunches. Also, they're home more so they eat more," DiCarlo explained. In addition to volunteering and giving tax-deductible financial contributions, individuals can participate in local food drives such as through the Boy Scouts, post office or Catholic Charities, to name a few. Individuals can also collect food from your neighborhood, business or church and bring it directly to the pantry in Hughesville. For everyone who makes a donation, DiCarlo sends a letter letting them know how the money and food were used.

Businesses can make tax-deductible financial contributions, become corporate sponsors or contact DiCarlo directly to brainstorm ideas. "We want to do more than we are, but we need help getting there," she said.

Where to Give or Seek Help

Calvert County

Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry
100 Jibsail Drive, Suite 101, off Route 231, Huntingtown, 410-414-7474
Donations accepted Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Catholic Charities Calvert County
885 Main Street, Prince Frederick, (410) 535-0309
Donations accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CHESAPEAKE CARES FOOD PANTRY
6045 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown
(410) 257-0293 opt. 3
Donations accepted by appointment only.

SMILE, Inc.
10290 H.G. Trueman Road, Lusby, (410) 326-0009
Donations accepted Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Charles County

Hughesville Baptist Church
8505 Old Leonardtown Road, Hughesville
(301) 274-3672 or (301) 884-8645
Donations accepted Wednesday
from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m.

St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Peter's Church
3320 St. Peter's Drive, Waldorf, (301) 843-8916
Donations accepted Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Wayside Food Bank
15848 Rock Point Road, Newburg, (301) 934-1715
Donations accepted the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

St. Mary's County

Good Samaritan Lutheran Church
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry
20850 Langley Road, Lexington Park, (301) 863-4740
Donations accepted Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

St. Clements Family Center
21506 Colton Point Road, Avenue, (301) 769-3471
Donations accepted from Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

St. Paul's United Methodist Pantry and Soup Kitchen
25550 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown
(301) 475-7200
Donations accepted Tuesday and Thursday for lunch.

Tri-county area

Southern Maryland Food Bank
8395 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, (301) 274-0695
smfb.somd.com
Donations accepted Monday through Friday, hours vary so call first.*

*Takes donations only, distributes food to pantries in all three counties, not individuals.