Update, May 21
Maryland Department of Human Services Secures USDA Approval to Expedite Expansion of SNAP Program to Online Grocery Purchases, Curbside Pickup, and Delivery, Starting May 27, 2020
List of Food Resources by County: Food Resources by County
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Frequently Asked Questions: P-EBT Flyer
Update, May 7
Food Resources for Seniors in Baltimore County
FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR OLDER ADULTS
Update from April 27th
Also the Rotary Club is offering free grocery delivery services. It doesn’t look like they have a specific geographical area, however I would imagine that they are working with folks that live in Baltimore County. Read below for more information:
Rotary International Volunteer Shoppers
Rotary members are available to shop for and delivery groceries, medications and other essential items to those at risk for COVID 19 or unable to leave their homes on a volunteer basis. Volunteers do not have background checks. They are Rotary members.
Call 240-781-6586 any day from 9:00am – 6:00pm to request assistance. It takes between 24 and 72 hours to fill a request.
No charge for the shopping services. Payment for goods purchased at the store is through credit cards only. Volunteers pay for the food with their own credit card. Once an amount is known, the recipient gives their credit card number to Rotary International to be charged the amount spent. Volunteers will shop with SNAP EBT cards too.
Towson University offered delivered meals: ToGoMeals_4-20-20
Update from April 8th
Maryland Hunger Solutions at 866-821-5552. https://www.mdhungersolutions.org/
Can assist with completing the online application for SNAP Benefits.
Meals on Wheels in Baltimore County does have Grocery Assist Program that can accept their SNAP benefits
https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/programs-partnerships/ Go to the bottom for more information and the application link for Grocery Assist
A list of resources regarding legal rights during COVID-19 related to housing, rent, utilities is available from the Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel
http://www.opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Corner/Publications#COVID-19%20Fact%20Sheets
Update from April 6, 2020:
FYI- The state of Maryland was recently approved by the US Department of Agriculture to temporarily increase everyone’s SNAP benefit to their household maximum monthly amount, regardless of income and earnings. This will go into effects for the months of April and May. Also people are getting automatically re-certified for their SNAP as well.
https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/dashboardClient/
Also customer service # is 1 800 332-6347 which will connect you to local office staff.
Here is a transcription of the the chat notes from the LIVE CHAT on Monday, March 30 where we discussed the various food resources available.
During the current COVID-19 crisis, join us every Monday for a LIVE CHAT via Zoom. If you’d like to register for our next one on Monday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. where we’ll be discussing Mental Health Resources – please register here!
IMAGE Center LIVE CHAT
Monday, March 30, 2020
This is a transcript from the Chat session to try to capture phone numbers and addresses for resources that came up during the conversation.
Hi everyone! Just checking in! If you would also like to check in, please type your name and email address in the chat. Thank you!
I am: Amanda Taylor. Email: ataylor@imagemd.org
Heather Comstock: hcomstock@imagemd.org
Maryland Food Bank 410-737-8282
Baltimore City for Delivered meals 410-396-2273
It does include weekends
Thank you! Rebecca.Mark@baltimorecity.gov
Maryland Access Point for the City 410-396-2273
Thank you! Allie Post, Family Crisis Center.
From Rebecca Mark to Everyone: Are there updates on the issue of grocery delivery for people on food stamps? (There was no consensus on how this was working but some brief discussion on looking for answers).
You can also dial 211
Kathy Shulman noted that the familyleague.org website has a food access list and all can be found on the mayor’s website as well. https://www.bmorechildren.com/freemeals
Anyone have any updates on folks using food stamps for grocery delivery? Rebecca Mark wanted to get an update
From Jaanine Smith to Everyone: Hi this is Jaanine Smith from the One Voice Recovery Community Center in Baltimore County. I wanted to know what the options are for food pick-up and delivery for folks that DO NOT drive?
Michelle Mills Maryland Access Point triage for all food questions. There’s a webpage with locations for stores and food pantries. 410-887-2594 Maryland Access Point Baltimore County
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/foodresources.html
From Jill Hall to Everyone: Yes, they can pick up 3 meals plus 2 snacks at Baltimore County Schools 11-1 p.m.
From Jill Hall to Everyone: Police Athletic League (PAL) centers are doing 4-6 pm
From Heather Comstock to Everyone:
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/BaltimoreCountyNow/baltimore-county-expands-grocery-drive-and-go-distribution-during-covid-19-pandemic
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: Image Board Member Bong Delrosario noted that Taxi Access is still operating.
Mike noted that he’s seen offers on Next Door from neighbors offering to pick up groceries or other supplies
From Jaanine Smith to Everyone: what is taxi access?
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: http://mdod.maryland.gov/transport/Pages/Taxi-Services.aspx
Taxi Access
From Amanda Taylor to Everyone: Taxi Access is a service connected to MTA Mobility, which is similar to a taxi cab but connected to the ride share program for people with disabilities.
From Le to Everyone: To my understanding the Baltimore Co- Grab and Go sites are open to all. I went to the Stembridge PAL center on Saturday inquiring about their requirements to share with families.
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: Different sites have different requirements for identification. The schools are requiring information about the child and some are collecting vehicle information to verify eligibility, but it’s a constantly changing situation.
From Le to Everyone: Also the MFB (Maryland Food Bank) is currently working with school pantries to see if schools are willing to open their school pantries- under the discretion of the school principals.
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: 410-685-1212 for Yellow Cab if you have a Taxi Access Card. Bong noted that If you are in a wheelchair, you have to call 24 hours in advance. Call Center is not open on the weekends so if you need to schedule, call Monday through Friday
From kathyshulman to Everyone: The reason that meal programs for children changing quite frequently is that the regulations from USDA keep changing. related to how children can get meals. A regulation just got passed to have parents pick up meals for children.
From Antoine MedStar Health to Everyone: Thanks for the resource
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: IMAGE Board Member Janice Jackson noted that If you’re already on a meal delivery service, please contact them about the possibility of having more meals delivered
There are a variety of programs, so be sure to check in with them if you need more meal delivery service.
From Randi Ames to Everyone: I lost my connection and missed the discussion on resources in Harford County, can someone please post? Thank you.
From Image Staff Member, Crystal Brockington to Everyone: I have spoken with several home health providers and that will continue to provide services and have assured that they are considered Essential. They have implemented mandates that staff will wear more protective equipment during visits. As this continues they will also ensure that their workers are able to travel. If you have direct care workers that are direct hire and do not work for an agency, you should review their travel practices and personal protection habits with them. They are recommended to wash hands and wear mask and gloves to decrease the likelihood of infecting their clients.
If people in Harford Co. are looking for food resources they should contact the Harford Community Action Agency at 410-612-9899
MAP 410-887-2594
From Randi Ames to Everyone: Thank you!
From Michelle Mills to Everyone: Baltimore County MAP 410-887-2594
From Crystal to Everyone: Many Harford County Churches are also doing the drive thru Food Pick Up. There is a list at https://harfordcaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-food-resources.pdf
Kathy Shulman noted that 20-30 Baltimore city neighborhoods have a quarantine support network as a resource to share information.
From Michelle Mills to Everyone: Thanks Kathy!
District 11 Delegate Lisa Belcastro provided updates on resources in her district.
From Jaanine Smith to Everyone: please advise what is district 11?
From Me to Everyone: District 11 includes Pikesville, Owings Mills, Lutherville, Parts of Cockeysville.
District 11 residents who are volunteering to go to the grocery stores for neighbors. They’re organizing via Facebook. Delegate Lisa Belcastro said that they might be willing to cross some of the district boundaries to help out too.
From Antoine MedStar Health to Everyone: Any link or information on Baltimore City’s Quarantine Support Network?
From Jaanine Smith to Everyone: is this city only
From Jay Doyle to Everyone: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/coronavirus.html
From Jay Doyle to Everyone: Above is the main county COVID-19 info page
From lbelcastro to Everyone
Need A Hand, Lend A Hand – District 11
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1060156311021617/
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: https://www.facebook.com/Del.LisaBelcastro/
Thank you, Delegate Belcastro!
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: Amigos of Baltimore County forming to work specifically with immigrant community
https://www.facebook.com/AmigosBaltimoreCounty/
From lbelcastro to Everyone: District 11 includes Pikesville, Owings Mills, Lutherville, Parts of Cockeysville.
From Heather Comstock to Everyone: If you need information, please contact Mike at mbullis@imagemd.org
From Heather Comstock to Everyone:
Cheryl Gottlieb
Cheryl.gottlieb@maryland.gov
We plan to continue to do these resource calls weekly. Join us next Monday at 2 p.m.!
Please visit the IMAGE Center website at:
www.imagemd.org or call our main line at 410-982-6311.
During these extraordinary times, the IMAGE Center continues to serve our consumers and our community! Partner with us as we do our best to find new ways to be present in the community by supporting our LIFELINE IMPACT Fund!
Section 2204 of the $2 trillion Federal emergency relief CARES Act provides incentives for charitable donations during 2020 regardless of whether you itemize deductions. The primary benefit allows individuals to get an “above-the-line” deduction for up to $300
IMAGE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. A copy of the current financial statement is available by writing 300 E. Joppa Rd. Ste 312 Towson, MD 21286 or calling 410-982-6311. Documents & Information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage & copies from the MD Sec. of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401.