Albornoz: Need for Food Security Now ‘Off the Charts’

Councilmember Will Jawando introduced a public-private partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation Saturday, which launches the Montgomery County Food Security Fund.

The goal of the food security fund is to “connect food to more people” in the county by supporting restaurants, food banks, and local farmers. Saturday’s news conference took place at East County Recreation Center, where hundreds of people were driving to the community center for grab-and-go meals.

Councilmember Gabe Albornoz noted, while speaking at the news conference, that since the coronavirus started, 110,000 county residents have filed for unemployment. He said, “The need [for food security] was profound before covid,” but now the need “is off the charts.”

On June 23, the Montgomery County Council voted to establish the fund by a $10.3 million special appropriation. The Montgomery County Food Security Fund is not only funded by county funds, but also by corporate, individual, and philanthropic partners. So far, the sponsors have raised a total of $325,000.

Entrepreneurs David and Michel Blair donated $100,000 to the Montgomery County Food Security Fund. David Blair is also well known in the county for running a close Democratic primary race for County Executive against Marc Elrich in 2018).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB9mMZjBPUi/

Brian Smith, the public policy manager for Washington Gas, also announced that Washington Gas is serving as a corporate sponsor to the cause and has donated $100,000. Rev. Matthew Watley, announced that the church for which he’s a pastor, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, has already donated $125,000 and hopes to donate $500,000 by the end of the year.

A website has been set up for more individuals and people to support the Montgomery County Food Security Fund.

“No matter how big or small, you can help,” Jawando said.

Jackie DeCarlo, CEO of Manna Food Center, said the fund can help create a more equitable food sustainability system.

“I hope we use this fund to create a fairer, more equitable Montgomery County,” DeCarlo said.

Recap of Montgomery County Food Security Fund News Conference in Tweet Form

Here’s a play-by-play of Saturday’s news conference in tweet form:

The conference is starting. @MoCoCouncilMD’s @albornoz_gabe and @Andrew_Friedson are also here with @willjawando. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/TgUuBaXciw

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

Food, shelter, security are some of the basic needs residents need, @willjawando says.

“We are not only helping to sustain people’s lives, we are also helping [people] to heal [through food].” @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/qtSZyf1uoI

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@albornoz_gabe says since March 110,000 county residents have filed for unemployment. He says “the need was profound before Covid,” but now the need “is off the charts.” @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/5N3LA31Y2h

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@albornoz_gabe notes the council has helped secure $80 million for the covid recovery. @mymcmedia

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@Andrew_Friedson says he’s been to several food distribution events in Montgomery County and they all begin an hour early because the need is that great. @mymcmedia

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@DavidTBlair who had contributed funding to this initiative is now speaking. Blair and his wife have been to several food distribution sights during the covid crisis. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/XojPhQYYKE

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

Brian Smith, Manager, Public Policy, Washington Gas, says Washington Gas is a coporate sponsor of this initiative and is also donating $100,000. pic.twitter.com/cOzz9xCht4

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

Rev. Smith is at the distribution sights every week.

“The numbers of people coming through has not decreased…there is still great need.” @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/TLe9eT3mrA

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@EarlStoddard is speaking now. He says the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is dealing with the covid-19 emergency but faces the challenges of increased social service needs. He says yesterday the office has had more than 300 calls. pic.twitter.com/ulEnx7ejSw

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@EarlStoddard says the county will use the money from the council to increase its food security programs.

“We have to continue to do these key activities to address the needs of the residents.” @mymcmedia

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

“During this time we are still able to leverage our comparable size…while food supply chains have shifted drastically,” the organization was able to purchase more than 150 trucks of food. In June the food bank expects to distribute 75x more food this year than last year.

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@jacqdecarlo of @MannaFoodCenter is speaking. They’ve helped distribute food to schools, their marketplace and more. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/LXsYlzBBfb

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

.@jacqdecarlo: “It’s about more equity,” so @MannaFoodCenter is especially helping to empower people of color. @mymcmedia

“I hope we use this fund to create a fairer, more equitable Montgomery County.” pic.twitter.com/1T5S45Vv8H

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

“We know if we get out of this” there needs to be a sustainable system, @willjawando says. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/pzFsQ38QNR

— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) June 27, 2020

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