Dear Takoma Park and Silver Spring families and friends,
In our last newsletter, we mentioned how our February 3rd distribution would serve a record 350 households. It was a great joy and relief that we ended the distribution with 2 boxes left over and no one was turned away. Each of the past two years we’ve increased the boxes by 25 in honor of Tommy Raskin’s birthday. We are delighted to announce that as long as community, grant, and supply support allow, we pledge to continue this service increase throughout the rest of 2024.
In addition to our wellness box increase, Tommy’s Pantry will bump the produce offered at our food distributions up to 240 boxes, beginning with our Saturday, February 17th distribution. This increase will allow us to offer this popular box, which contains 20-25 fresh fruit and vegetable items, to more of our recipients. We can not thank our integral partnership with Capital Area Food Bank enough for making this offering possible.
Sincerely,
Wendy Kent, President
Upcoming Events
- Park Florist Register Benefit for Tommy’s Pantry: Tommy’s Pantry has been named the “Giving Blossoms” honoree at Park Florist! Any time you purchase the “Vanilla Bean” arrangement this month (even after Valentine’s Day), a portion of the sale will go to Tommy’s Pantry. Visit the following link to view the classic “Vanilla Bean” arrangement and thank you for your support: https://www.parkflorist.us/flower-arrangement/vanilla-bean/prod11690569?skuId=sku11381074&zipMin=
Fundraising Corner
- Tommy’s Pantry is 100% volunteer run. Your financial support is crucial to keeping food and wellness boxes flowing into the hands of those in need, https://tommyspantry.org/donate/.
- We now have an Amazon wish list for high-need and hard-to-buy-in-bulk items! Visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/I7P0QJ2992AF?ref_=wl_share to purchase. Please have items shipped directly to our In-Kind Donation Coordinator Mark Hines. Thank you for your donation!
Volunteer Update
- New volunteer opportunities for March have been added to our volunteer Sign Up! To join us in alleviating food insecurity in our community, visit the Tommy’s Pantry Sign Up page at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4eaca72ea1fe3-tommys#/. Students can earn SSL hours. Ages 11 and up, and please accompany your 11-year-old if it will be their first time volunteering with us.
- Additionally, you can inquire about group volunteer bookings for 2024 by emailing Sarah at tommyspantry@gmail.com.
- Weekday volunteers with muscle are still needed! If you are available on some Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays, we could use your help unloading deliveries and picking up our wellness supplies. Please email tommyspantry@gmail.com for more info.
- High-school student ambassadors wanted to assist supervisors with Saturday packing operations! (Looks great on a college application!) Please email tommyspantry@gmail.com for more info if interested.
- Special thanks to our recent volunteer groups: Sligo Creek Co-op School, Girl Scout Nation’s Capital Troop 33173, First UCC DC, and Spread Love At Marshall (SLAM)!
Tommy’s Pantry News & Social Media
- Stay connected with us on social media! You can follow us on Instagram (@tommyspantrytkpk), and like our Tommy’s Pantry Facebook page.
- For even more information and photos from our packing and distribution events and Spanish and Amharic translations of this newsletter, visit the News page on our website.
- Want to get this newsletter sent to your inbox? Email tommyspantry@gmail.com to subscribe.
Receive Assistance with Food & Wellness Items
- Family health/wellness and cleaning supplies distribution: Join us on Saturday, March 2nd, at 7:30 am 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.
- Shelf-stable food and fresh fruits and vegetables distribution: Food boxes will be offered on Saturday, March 16th, at 7:30 am 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.
- 50% off WMATA fares: WMATA’s new Metro Lift program offers 50% off Metrobus and Metrorail trips for DC, Maryland, and Virginia customers enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). For more information in multiple languages, and to enroll, visit https://www.wmata.com/fares/Reduced-Fare-Programs/MetroLift/index.cfm .
- For the 2023-2024 school year: Families can add funds to student lunch accounts using MySchoolBucks, or payments can be made directly to the cafeteria using cash or a check. Families that qualify for any level of Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) support will still receive FREE meals. To apply online, visit www.MySchoolApps.com.
Thank you for your continued support of this vital community initiative.
Wendy Kent
Tommy’s Pantry President
Sarah Goupell
Tommy’s Pantry Vice President
Kathleen Bartels
Tommy’s Pantry Treasurer
Sasha Johnson
Tommy’s Pantry Secretary
Paula Kowalczuk
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member, Chair of Fundraising & Finance Committee
Hannah Raskin
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member, At-large
Adrienne Tilton
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member, At-large
Joe Newman
Tommy’s Pantry Student Board Member
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.
