TOMORROW, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on November 1^st, community members are encouraged to visit one of five locations to donate non-perishable foods items. Please follow event signs for collection point. These locations include the:

1.    Gary J Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville

2.    George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City

3.    Department of Recreation & Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia

4.    North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel

5.    Rockburn Branch Park - Pfeiffer’s Corner Schoolhouse, 6109 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge

Following the countywide Food Collection Drive, items collected will be donated to governmental, nonprofit, and educational partners including:

·      The Community Action Council of Howard County’s (CAC) 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 (MSC Food Pantry), located at 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1 in Laurel

·      Howard Community College’s (HCC) Fueling Dragons Food Pantry

·      Columbia Community Care (CCC)

·      Howard County Muslim Council (HCMC)

·      Indian Cultural Association of Howard County (ICA) and Feed HoCo

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

Other ways to help:

Please share this flyer widely.

Sign up to volunteer. There are still open shifts across locations. Any bit of time given is helpful. Volunteers will help collect items, sort donations, and pack food boxes for partner organization serving families in need. Ages 16+ are welcome.

👉 Volunteer Sign-Up Link:

https://hocovolunteer.org/custom/501/opp_details/3694

Extending Food Bank shopping hours: Starting Thursday, November 6^th, the Food Bank will remain open until 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Regular shopping hours are as follows:

o  Tuesdays, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (walk-ins)

o  Wednesdays, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. (walk-ins)

o  Thursdays, 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. (walk-ins)

o  Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (by appointment only)

·       Federal Employees: U.S. government employees without income may visit the Food Bank twice per month during the government shutdown to collect pre-bagged shelf staples.

Proof of Howard County residency and a valid federal employee photo identification are required.

·       SNAP Cardholders: While SNAP is suspended, SNAP EBT recipients may visit the Food Bank twice per month. Proof of Howard County residency and a valid SNAP EBT card are required.

Additionally, the MSC Food Pantry offers the following distribution hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents unable to make Saturday’s non-perishable food collection drive who would still like to help their neighbors in need, can make a financial donation to the CAC on its “Donate” website, stop by the Food Bank Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 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.

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

·      Howard County 50+ Centers

·      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

Furthermore, Howard County pet owners in need of pet food and/or supplies, such as cat litter, should contact Howard County Police Department’s Animal Control Division at 410-313-2780 or email animalcontrol@howardcountymd.gov to speak to someone further about the Division’s Pet Food Bank.

If you have any additional questions about the County’s November 1^st non-perishable food collection drive and/or available resources during this difficult time, residents are encouraged to contact the Office of the County Executive’s Constituent Services Office at 410-313-2013 or email hocohelp@howardcountymd.gov.

OMHS Food Pantry

Next distribution day: November 19, 3:30 p.m.

OMHS Parking Lot

November wishes:

Thanksgiving specific:

• Stuffing 
• Potatoes (canned or dehydrated)
• Cranberry sauce
• Cream of mushroom soup (we're getting canned green beans from food bank)
• Pie crust mix
• Canned pie filling
• Vegetable oil

Non Thanksgiving specific, but still high on the wish list:

• Jelly (we're getting peanut butter from food bank)
• Oatmeal 
• Cereal 
• Rice 
• Dry beans
• Shelf stable milk
• Juice (ideally apple or cranberry, but really, any kind)

Also, we will be collecting leftover Halloween candy to put some treats (no tricks!) into our November boxes. We will happily take any candy that anyone wants to donate!

**We are now taking donations for the OMHS food pantry at The Other Barn. Drop off items Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.**

We appreciate all of the community donations to the Oakland Mills Food Pantry. Please be sure to check all expiration dates on donations prior to bringing them to The Other Barn. The pantry cannot distribute expired items. Thank you.

Cranksgiving: A Food Drive on Two Wheels

November 8, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Plaza at The Mall in Columbia

Info & registration

Participants ride into Downtown Columbia with food donations for Grassroots Crisis Intervention. Cyclists of all skill levels are welcome, making it a family-friendly event that fosters camaraderie among the local cycling community while supporting those in need. 

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center

8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A , Columbia

Call: 410-531-6677 or 410-531-6006 

24 Hour Hotline: Dial 988 

grassrootscrisis.org

Make a Donation

Your generous support of Grassroots means that people in need get a second chance to make something of themselves. A second chance to get back on their feet. A second chance to re-establish their lives and the lives of their family members.