By Madeleine Mosher
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The state Democratic Party and the Maryland Food Bank have raised in three days nearly $5,500 for 16,000 families needing Thanksgiving meals.
“As we take this week to cherish the people closest to us, it’s important to remember those who have not been as fortunate — all those who have lost someone they loved, or have suffered from the many hardships of the pandemic,” Maryland Democratic Chair Yvette Lewis said in a press release.
“Now more than ever, I believe we have a responsibility to help those who have not been as lucky or as blessed as we have been,” Lewis added.
Zachary Holman, Democratic Party communications director, said the organization has done fundraisers like this before. However, he said, it’s especially important to look out for the hungry this year because of the added struggle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maryland Food Bank faces increased food needs this year: about 2.5 million Maryland residents are struggling with food insecurity, which is about 1 million more than before the COVID-19 crisis, according to a Baltimore Sun article. Officials said the Maryland Food Bank distributed 36 million pounds of food between March and September, which is a 93% increase in pounds distributed during the same time last year.
The fundraiser began on Monday with a goal of $2,000. However, Holman said it took only a half hour to raise that amount, so the organization increased the goal to $6,000. Meeting this goal could increase the meals provided to 18,000, the release said.
Holman said the organization was “surprised and really encouraged” by the response from donors, volunteers and members.
Those in need of food this holiday can find food distribution centers on the Maryland Food Bank website. People who want to donate can visit mmdems.link/food drive to give cash or pay for food items like macaroni and cheese, tuna and fresh produce.
Holman said that credit should go to the Maryland Food Bank since the organization does good work for Marylanders.
But, he added, “We’re just glad we could help.”