May 2026 Newsletter: Celebrating Our Volunteers

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On June 6th, we will celebrate the heart of Tommy’s Pantry, our amazing volunteers.

Message from our Volunteer Coordinator:

Dear Neighbors,

It has been a joy to serve as Tommy’s Pantry’s volunteer coordinator over the past several months. 

I am deeply grateful to those of you who have responded to last-minute calls for traffic volunteers, transported supplies from the local Dollar Tree, and roused your teens before dawn to distribute canned goods. I’m equally thankful to those who have rallied Girl Scout troops, sports teams, and church groups to spend a few hours packing boxes, as well as those who have shown up alone to simply ask, “How can I help?”

I know the past several months have been deeply challenging for many of you. Thank you for continuing to show up amidst the chaos. At a time when our world can feel overwhelming, I’m bolstered by the steady perseverance of Tommy’s Pantry volunteers. Being together, working to meet the needs in our community gives me hope.

Tommy’s Pantry doesn’t work without your dedication and commitment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I look forward to continuing this important work together. 

With gratitude,

Megan Graves, Volunteer Coordinator

Upcoming Events

  • Annual Volunteer Appreciation Open House: Tommy’s Pantry will host a Volunteer Appreciation Event on June 6th from 10:00am–12:00pm as a token of our appreciation for the volunteers who make our work possible. Please join us as we celebrate their impact and come together as a community.

Volunteer Spotlights

  • This month, as we lead up to our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Open House event, we’re featuring Volunteer Spotlights to celebrate some of our volunteers who make Tommy’s Pantry possible. Below, we are proud to introduce some of our youth volunteers.
Neyla Marwah, helping to pack food boxes.

Neyla Marwah has been a dedicated volunteer since summer 2025, first joining to complete service hours and quickly becoming a regular. What keeps her coming back is the strong sense of community and the dignity at the heart of the work. “Each box is packed in mind that it is going to a neighbor and the boxes are tailored to the needs of our community.”

She loves meeting new people, from energetic younger kids to fellow teens, and learning from their different experiences. Through her time here, she’s gained a deeper appreciation for the work behind the scenes and now serves as an Assistant Supervisor during packing days. What surprised her most is how Saturday distributions, which begin at a sleepy 6am., transform into a lively space filled with laughter and connection, a powerful reminder of what community can be.

SLAM students getting ready to distribute food boxes.

Spread Love at Marshall (SLAM) is a student-led organization at Marshall High School in Falls Church, Virginia, dedicated to creating volunteer opportunities and empowering students to make a positive impact in their community. SLAM has been volunteering with Tommy’s Pantry since early 2022.

Through their energy, teamwork, and commitment to service, SLAM students have become an important part of the Tommy’s Pantry community. From packing food to supporting distributions, their efforts are helping make a meaningful difference for local families. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, leadership, and continued support.

Volunteer Updates

  • To register for an upcoming volunteer opportunity, please visit our sign up page. Available dates are updated monthly. SSL hours are available for students. 
  • Many thanks to recent groups for sharing their time with Tommy’s Pantry: Grace Studios, Wellesley College Alumni, and First Congregational United Church of Christ! 
  • Planning a group activity? Consider Tommy’s Pantry. We schedule group volunteer sessions 1-2 months in advance. Email us at tommyspantry@gmail.com to choose a date.

Fundraising Corner

Our amazing high school volunteers brought energy and leadership to the Spring Fling!
  • Pictures from the Spring Fling – Thank you to all who attended the Annual Spring Fling. Special thanks to Diana and Billy Conway for graciously hosting this event for us for 4 years in a row. With your generous Spring Fling contributions, Tommy’s Pantry is able to continue its monthly distributions. 
From start to finish—thank you, Michael Newman!
  • Many thanks and congratulations to Michael Newman who ran in the Boston Marathon and raised money for Tommy’s Pantry. We love our supporters!

Receive Assistance with Food & Wellness Items

  • Shelf-stable food distribution: Food boxes will be offered on the morning of Saturday, May 16th. Boxes are distributed in order of arrival while supplies last. The drive-up distribution location is at the back of Church of the Ascension, across the street from East Silver Spring Elementary (630 Silver Spring Ave, Silver Spring, MD). If you plan to walk up, please email tommyspantry@gmail.com in advance.
  • Family health/wellness and cleaning supplies distribution: Join us on the morning of Saturday, June 6th. Boxes are distributed in order of arrival while supplies last. The drive-up distribution location is at the back of Church of the Ascension, across the street from East Silver Spring Elementary (630 Silver Spring Ave, Silver Spring, MD). If you plan to walk up, please email tommyspantry@gmail.com  in advance.

Our On-Site Little Free Pantry Needs Some Love

  • Our Little Free Pantry at 630 Silver Spring Ave is heavily used and rapidly depleted. Please consider bringing some extra pasta, cereal, soup, and/or toiletries, etc. you may have at home to help keep our 24-hour pantry stocked. Thank you!

Tommy’s Pantry News & Social Media

Community Resources & Your Rights

  • Know Your Rights: Please visit the Know Your Rights page at https://tommyspantry.org/know-your-rights for multilingual resources regarding your rights and safety planning to protect yourselves and loved ones. 
  • FREE and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) for MoCo students 18 and younger. For the 2025-2026 school year, complete the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) form if you have previously, or believe you qualify for free or reduced meals. If your family qualifies for any level of FARMS support, all meals are free. Only 1 application is required per household. Apply online at https://www.myschoolapps.com.

Thank you for your continued support of this vital community initiative.

Tommy’s Pantry collaborates with PTA leaders, school counselors, administration and ESOL teachers from each of our schools, Blair school counselors, the City of Takoma Park, and county social workers. With the help of all of these people and organizations, we have quick and direct contact with families who need help. Rest assured that we are reaching far into the community – all across Takoma Park and the folks from the East Silver Spring neighborhood.

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