Resources For Residents Interested in Assisting
Volunteer:
- The Mount Rainier Community Emergency Response Team is organizing a community emergency food drive to prepare for eventual delivery to individuals under quarantine for the novel coronavirus. According to Mount Rainier CERT President Jack Priestly. Mount Rainier Residents can also donate by leaving food on their porch and calling 301-655-5274 to arrange a pick-up. Read more here.
- If you’re healthy and in a low-risk demographic, volunteer to help distribute food. Many food pantry volunteers in our county are seniors, they will likely need to step back from their duties. You can view a list of food pantries in your area through this search tool from Capital Area Food Bank.
- PG County Mutual Aid is a grassroots, community-led effort looking to take care of each other and keep Prince George's County as safe as possible during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic. To sign up to provide assistance, please complete the form here.
Donate:
- Donate food and money to local food pantries and hunger relief agencies. Donations, both food and financial, will likely decline due to reduced profit margins of businesses. Meals on Wheels of Central MD and College Park, Food and Friends, and Capital Area Food Bank are fantastic, efficient, and responsive local organizations that need support.
Connect:
- Connect with seniors and other residents at high-risk of contracting COVID-19 to support them and limit risks associated with social isolation. This must be done carefully with a concerted effort to not put high-risk neighbors’ health at risk. CivilEats shared ideas about using local listservs and NextDoor to launch an elder grocery support network, starting a shared meal program, and helping neighbors by doing outdoor tasks and walking pets.
Advocate:
- Advocate for policies and programs that will make our community more resilient in the face of a future crisis. We shared policies and programs that we’re supporting during our Food Equity Council meeting on March 24th. You can view the notes here.
Stock Smart:
- If you are concerned about a potential quarantine and planning to stock your pantry consider the following:
- Resist the impulse to hoard food. Consider what you and your family realistically need for two weeks. Keep in mind that families using WIC can only purchase limited food items, cleared grocery store shelves leave them with few options for a healthy meal.
- Avoid food waste. Make a plan for when you will cook and what you will do with your leftovers.
- Shop smart. Use a grocery list that matches the plans you have made. These resources give guidance on shelf-stable and fresh foods that keep well: New York Times: Stocking Your Pantry the Smart Way & Washington Post: Pantry and Freezer-Friendly Cooking Advice. This article from the Washington Post gives guidance on minimizing your risk of contracting the novel coronavirus while at the grocery store.
- Buy local. This will be an especially trying time for small, locally-owned businesses and farms. Try to support them with your dollars and promote them through your network.
- Fresh. Local. Fun. PGC maintains lists of local farmers and local food businesses.
- Maryland Farmers Market Association and its partners put together a searchable map on where to buy local while social distancing.
