Our Response to COVID-19
Since the COVID-19 crisis began in March, the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) has been one of the leading organizations for the County’s COVID-19 food assistance response. Our work focuses on coordinating the diverse partners and County agencies working to address the food assistance response and support residents. During the COVID-19 response, we have increased the support and services we provide to vulnerable residents and communities.
Over the past month alone we have:
• Provided direct food donation coordination to partners resulting in over 10,000 prepared meals delivered to residents in need;
• Conducted resident food navigation services including connecting residents to food assistance providers;
• Created and launched the County’s only comprehensive online food assistance directory which has received over 13,000 hits since it launched a month ago;
• Coordinated with 211 and the Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline to direct staff to relevant food resources;
• Provided County Council members and the County’s Library System with resources to share with their clients and constituents;
• Co-Hosted bi-weekly virtual convenings for over 70 food assistance providers, non-profit partners, and County agencies and leadership in partnership with the Department of Social Services.
• Coordinated daily with our County Executive’s office, county agencies, regional food councils, and the philanthropic community to ensure we are taking advantage of resources available and implementing promising practices and that there is widespread awareness of the food access needs of residents;
• Coordinated with food businesses such as regional food hubs, restaurants, farmers markets, and growers to connect them to market opportunities that address both their needs and the needs of food-insecure residents; and
• Provided educational resources and advocacy support for food businesses, growers, farmers markets, and restaurants.
While we have ramped up efforts to address urgent direct food assistance needs to residents, we are dedicated to contributing to long-term solutions and building infrastructure to help prepare the County for a future food assistance crisis management.
We cannot do this work alone and need your assistance. As a volunteer-based council coordinated by one staff member, the FEC depends on the support of community members and organizations to achieve our mission. The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council is incubated within the Institute for Public Health Innovation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All donations are tax-deductible, and we welcome contributions of any size. When you make your donation through PayPal please click “Add a note” and indicate you would like your donation to support the work of the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council. Once your donation is received, IPHI will provide you with documentation of your support. Thank you again for your support of the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, to contribute to our efforts DONATE HERE.
We look forward to continuing to connect with you and to serve the residents of Prince George’s County.
In partnership,
Sydney Daigle, Director
Prince George’s County Food Equity Council
