First UCC DC volunteers helped make Thanksgiving boxes festive.

November 2025 Update: Gratitude in Action! 

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Dear Takoma Park and Silver Spring families and friends,

As the hardships faced by the most vulnerable in our community continue to increase with the disappearance of federal SNAP funds, loss of jobs, rising grocery costs, fear of deportation and more, community solidarity is more important than ever. We are so grateful for our wonderful community of donors and volunteers who sustain Tommy’s Pantry and help us rise to meet new challenges. Thanks to so many of you in the Tommy’s Pantry family, this Saturday we distributed 350 annual Thanksgiving boxes with $20 grocery gift cards. The outpouring of support was so overwhelming that we may be able to include grocery gift cards in the December holiday boxes too! Whether financially if you are able, or as a volunteer, please continue to support Tommy’s Pantry throughout 2025 and into 2026. Together, we can uplift our neighbors with welcoming kindness and dignity.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this year, Tommy’s Pantry wants to take a moment to give a special “thank you” to our many community partners who support us. Many of our community partners were showcased at our first ever Resource Fair on October 25th. In addition to Tommy’s Pantry, 11 local organizations participated: Catholic Charities, Mary’s Center, Adventist Community Center, Manna Food Center, Educare, Local Maternity Thread, Crossroads Farmer’s Market, Islamic Center of Potomac, CASA of Maryland, the City of Takoma Park, and Capital Area Food Bank. The event was a success, with an end result of strengthening and broadening the local aid support network for the 80-100 people who attended.

Sincerely,


Wendy Kent, President

Upcoming/Ongoing/Recent Events

  • Join us this Giving Tuesday on December 2nd! Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. On this day, individuals, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to donate, volunteer, or raise awareness for causes they care about. Your participation and gifts helps Tommy’s Pantry stock shelves, provide meals, and support families in need. Every donation makes a difference!
  • Alternative Gift Fair: Please visit our booth at the Alternative Gifts Fair of Greater Washington. This year this annual event will be held on December 6 at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, from 12 PM to 4 PM. The Fair was founded on the premise that among the most thoughtful gifts you can give someone is a donation to one or more charities in their honor.
  • Hat Drive Success: Thanks to all of our donors and crafters for helping to celebrate another successful Winter Hat Drive! This year’s drive collected 87 hats, which were distributed at our Resource Fair on October 25th. Special thanks to the Langley/Takoma Park Fiber Arts Group and the Knitting and Crochet Group of the Takoma Park, MD Library for providing numerous beautiful handmade hats. Thank you again for your generosity, and we hope you’ll participate again next year!

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 beans, pasta, cereal, soup, sanitary products and/or toiletries, etc. you may have at home to help keep our 24-hour pantry stocked. Thank you! 

Fundraising Corner

  • Thanks to so many of you in the Tommy’s Pantry family, this Saturday we will distribute 350 annual Thanksgiving boxes with $20 grocery gift cards. The outpouring of support was so overwhelming that we may be able to include grocery gift cards in the December holiday boxes too!
  • Looking for a great Holiday Gift? – how about a contribution in honor of that person on your list who has everything? 
  • Help us Support More Families this Season: We expect significantly higher demand for assistance this season. Please remember Tommy’s Pantry on GivingTuesday and in your Year End Giving. 
  • Small Fundraising Events – Many thanks to Gitika Kaul and other sponsors who designated Tommy’s Pantry as the beneficiary of their neighborhood holiday market,  a great way to support Tommy’s Pantry. Please reach out to Paula at tommyspantry@gmail.com to get set up with an event-specific QR code for easy donating and to receive more information.
  • Donations Always Accepted: 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, and please include a gift receipt so we can thank you for your contribution. Thank you!
  • 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/.

Volunteer Update

  • 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, please accompany your 11-year-old if it’s their first time volunteering.
  • New dates and times to volunteer are posted on the 3rd Saturdays of each month. If dates you are interested in are full, please check our volunteer Sign Up for a chance to fill in for cancellations.
  • Extra help needed! If you have professional skills you’re willing to share or are interested in training to become a Tommy’s Pantry packing or distribution supervisor, please let us know via our online Resource Center.
  • Group volunteer sessions are offered through the end of the school year, and are booked 1-2 months in advance. Please email tommyspantry@gmail.com about winter group opportunities.
  • Volunteer shoutout to our recent groups: World Explorers, Grace Studios, and First UCC DC!

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 more information, photos from our packing and distribution events, and Spanish, Pashto, 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 Help

  • Family health/wellness and cleaning supplies distribution: Join us on the morning of Saturday, December 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.
  • Shelf-stable food distribution: Food boxes will be offered on the morning of Saturday, December 20th. 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.
  • Know Your Rights: Please visit the Know Your Rights page at tommyspantry.org for multilingual resources regarding your rights and safety planning to protect yourselves and loved ones. 
  • FREE Ride On bus rates: $0 fares are now in effect for all passengers on all Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash Buses in Montgomery County. For information, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-transit/fares/ .
  • 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 .
  • 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 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

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, 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.

Newsletter edited by Madeline Sahagun

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