Monthly Update 5.17.2025

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Dear Takoma Park and Silver Spring families and friends,

As our community faces the changes and challenges brought on by the new federal administration, Tommy’s Pantry continues to serve as a necessities provider and also an information resource in our community. Through training events, immigrant rights organizations like CASA have helped Tommy’s Pantry Board members and volunteers learn how to protect participants living in fear of harassment and possible deportation. Our recent distribution operations pivot provides faster and safer distributions, and we have widely spread Know Your Rights information via multilingual paper flyers, red cards, and a new resource page on our website. 

Logistics challenges have also arisen. Earlier this month, our wellness item supplier canceled our entire order, likely resulting from tariff complications. The Tommy’s Pantry leadership team quickly shifted to another supplier with completely different pricing and logistics to ensure regular wellness box service in June. These unforeseen side effects from government decisions will likely continue to force us to adapt how we serve our community. As you make summer plans, please check our volunteer page to see if there is a new way you can help at Tommy’s Pantry. We need your time, talent, and donations to keep pace with serving local households in need throughout the summer. 

Thank you to all who attended or donated to our third annual Tommy’s Pantry Spring Fling. As a result of  your generous contributions, we will resume distribution of fresh produce to our participants on a monthly basis starting in June. While Spring Fling raised enough funds to cover three months of produce for our participants, your continued support is appreciated to ensure that Tommy’s Pantry can keep offering fresh fruits and vegetables to local families in need beyond the summer months.

Warmly,


Wendy Kent, President

Upcoming/Ongoing/Recent Events

  • March with us in the Takoma Park 4th of July Parade: If you are in town for the 4th of July, please consider marching with Tommy’s Pantry in the Takoma Park 4th of July Parade. Tommy’s Pantry marchers will gather at 9 am (location to be announced), and the march begins at 10 am on July 4th. Please email Sarah at sgoupell@gmail.com if you can join us, so that we can provide Tommy’s Pantry logo gear for all who march. More info about the parade route can be found here.
  • Thank you to all who attended the Annual Spring Fling: Special thanks also to Diana and Billy Conway for again graciously hosting this event for us. With your generous Spring Fling contributions, Tommy’s Pantry is able to resume its monthly offering of fresh fruits and vegetables, beginning in June.

Fundraising Corner

  • Donations Always Accepted: Tommy’s Pantry is 100% volunteer run, and our budget can always use a boost. Your financial support is crucial to keeping food and wellness boxes flowing into the hands of those in need, https://tommyspantry.org/donate/. 
  • In-Kind Contributions Welcome: Please visit our website (tommyspantry.org) to donate financially or consider making an online purchase of items from our Amazon wish list. Visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/I7P0QJ2992AF?ref_=wl_share to purchase high-need and hard-to-buy-in-bulk wellness items. Please choose “Mark Hines” from your shipping address options to have supplies mailed directly to our In-Kind Donation Drive Coordinator. Thank you for your donation!

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! 

Volunteer Update

  • New dates and times to volunteer are typically posted on the 3rd Saturdays of each month. Please check our volunteer Sign Up often for a chance to fill in for cancellations.
  • New volunteer opportunities 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.
  • 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 visit our volunteer Sign Up for more info.
  • Our group sessions through the end of the school year are full. Please email tommyspantry@gmail.com about group volunteering opportunities in Fall of 2025.
  • Shoutout to our recent volunteer groups: World Explorers, Grace Studios, and Sligo Creek Co-Op School!

Tommy’s Pantry  News & Social Media

Receive Help

  • Family health/wellness and cleaning supplies distribution: Join us on the morning of Saturday, June 7th. 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.
  • Shelf-stable food distribution: Food boxes will be offered on the morning of Saturday, June 21st. 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.
  • 50% off WMATA fares: WMATA’s 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 .
  • To receive Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) for the 2024–2025 school year, apply at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application. Translations are available (select “Language” at the top of the screen). Families must fill out a new FARMS application each school year even if their child received FARMS services the year before.
  • Check this space next month for information about summer meal programs.

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

Wendy Kent
Tommy’s Pantry President

Sarah Goupell
Tommy’s Pantry Vice President

Hannah Deutsch
Tommy’s Pantry Treasurer

Sasha Johnson
Tommy’s Pantry Secretary 

Paula Kowalczuk
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member, Chair of Fundraising Committee

Hannah Raskin
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member

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.

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