Each year, 49 million Americans struggle with hunger, including 17 million children. While it is not possible to feed each and everyone of those in need, this year, TheBAYNET.com and Baynet Radio are teaming up with Southern Maryland Food Bank to help where and how we can. Now, you, TBN readers and BNR listeners can help.

Beginning on October 29 and lasting through November 20 TBN and BNR are launching monster food drive to help SMFB feed as many people as possible. Starting at the First Annual Baynet Radio Birthday Bash and free concert, anyone visiting TN or BNR are encouraged to drop by some non-perishable food items or to donate some cash.

Most people are familiar with canned gloods donation, but it may surprise people to learn that every dollar donated provides seven meals for families struggling with hunger. In fact, $25 provides 175 meals, $50 provides 350 meals, $100 provides 700 meals!

SMFB has been serving the communities of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties for the past
25 years, providing food and funds to nearly 40 pantries, group homes, and shelters. With the assistance of SMFB, these sites return to the community to assist more than 10,000 families with food each month.

The organization is always in need of volunteers to help in the battle against hunger. According to SMFB Manager, Brenda DiCarlo, “the need for food has grown over the past three years with more people visiting our pantries than ever before. We used to average about 350,000 pounds of food each year, but in Fiscal 2010 we distributed over 660,000 pounds of food which helped 35,000 families!”

To volunteer or to make much needed donations, contact DiCarlo at (301) 274-0695 or visit the SMFB website at www.smfb.somd.com. Donations may be mailed to PO Box 613, Hughesville. MD 20637.

Helping TBN and BNR with the food drive are a number of locations willing to accept food donations. In Charles County: Long & Foster Realty located at 3165 Crain Highway (301 South) in Waldorf. They are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. most weekdays. Catholic Charities located at 8395 Old Leonardtown Road in Hughesville at the corner of Rt. 5 and Rt. 231. They are open seven days a week.

In Calvert County, Solomons Island Florist located in the Patuxent Plaza in Solomons next to Woodburn’s Store. They are open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

In St. Mary’s County, TheBAYNET.com located at 22316-B Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. most weekdays is the primary drop point.

The following is a list of Food Pantries served by SMFB:
Angel’s Watch Shelter
Charles County Family Center
Calvert County Family Center
Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry
Crossroad Christian Church
Calvary United Methodist Health & Welfare Pantry
Christ Church of Port Tobacco Pantry
Good Samaritan Lutheran Church Pantry
Hughesville Baptist Church Pantry
Hands of GOD Mobile Street Ministry
HOPE of Southern Maryland Pantry
Joe’s Place Pantry
Pisgah SDA Church Pantry
St. Vincent de Paul Society Pantry
Mary’s Pantry Sacred Heart Church
SMILE, INC.
Fishes and Loaves Pantry
St. Paul’s United Methodist Soup Kitchen
The Jude House
Wayside Food Bank, INC.
Peace Lutheran Church Pantry
Voca of Maryland Group Homes (several sites)

 

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