Monthly Update 9.22.2024: Don’t Miss Our Fall Fundraiser on September 29th!

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Dear Takoma Park and Silver Spring families and friends,

The Tommy’s Pantry Fall Fundraiser is Sunday, September 29th in Takoma Park. We hope you will join us to celebrate your role in this vibrant community that sustains Tommy’s Pantry.

Only with your support can we continue to provide food and essential health and wellness supplies to our neighbors in need. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets today, https://tommyspantry.org/2024-fall-fundraiser.

As we approach our Fall Fundraiser, remember that your contributions help us continue essential partnerships and expand services. Together, we can ensure that families not only receive nourishing food but also other vital resources for health and safety. We look forward to seeing you on September 29th!

Sincerely,


Wendy Kent, President

Upcoming Events

  • Don’t miss our Fall Fundraiser! Please join us for this year’s celebration on Sunday, September 29th, from 4-6pm in Takoma Park. More details and tickets are available at the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/0991e492-c202-450b-9959-4adda5a0fb3e
  • Hat Drive NOW through October 30th; We will be collecting new store bought and newly handcrafted winter hats as part of our Hat Drive through October 30th, 2024. Hats should be soft next to skin, machine-washable preferred. Students can earn 4 SSL hours for each contribution of a hat they have made. Drop-off locations: Front desk in the temporary location of the Takoma Park library at 7505 New Hampshire Avenue (Units 201-208 of former Salvation Army; during business hours only) & gray bin on the front step at 14 Darwin Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912.
    Hats will be distributed to our recipients in November. Please reach out to tommyspantry@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for your generosity!

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! 

Fundraising Corner

  • Tommy’s Pantry Takoma Park Fall Fundraiser is Sunday, September 29th in Takoma Park. As a member of our community, we hope you will join us.  Only with your support can we continue to provide food and essential health and wellness supplies to our neighbors in need. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets today, https://tommyspantry.org/2024-fall-fundraiser.
  • 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 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 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!

Volunteer Update

  • New volunteer opportunities for October 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 volunteer sessions for Fall are now available. Please email tommyspantry@gmail.com with inquiries.

Tommy’s Pantry News & Social Media

Receive Assistance with Food & Wellness Items

  • Family health/wellness and cleaning supplies distribution: Join us on Saturday, October 5th, 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 distribution: Food boxes will be offered on Saturday, October 19th, 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 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.

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 Committee

Hannah Raskin
Tommy’s Pantry Board Member, Chair of Fundraising & Finance Committee

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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