County residents can help needy families by donating canned or nonperishable food during Ride On’s annual food drive from Sunday, May 21 through Saturday, May 27. Food collected through the drive goes to Manna Food Center, which supported more than 37,000 residents with 3.8 million pounds of food last year.
The county transportation department will provide bus riders who donate a non-perishable food item during food drive with a free ride.
Ride On is partnering with @MannaFoodCenter, @MCPL_Libraries, and Regional Services Centers to host a food drive from May 21-27. Donate a non-perishable food item on any Ride On bus and get a FREE trip! Go to https://t.co/zuRJjCXPj7 for more information. #RideOnFoodDrive pic.twitter.com/glu4qOtFKF
— Ride On Bus (@RideOnMCT) May 11, 2023
“Chronic hunger is a crisis no person should go through. It affects the most vulnerable members of our community-seniors and children-the most,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Prior to the pandemic, one in three students in our County schools qualified for free and reduced meals; this year that number climbed to nearly 40 percent. Nearly 12 percent of our senior population lives in poverty. I have spearheaded a series of policies to address economic inequality, including raising the minimum wage and championing affordable housing. But if we want to ensure no one goes to bed hungry tonight, we must all take action today. I encourage all residents to donate non-perishable food items on County buses, or at any of the drop-off centers, between May 21 and 27.”
The county transportation department has conducted the food drive in partnership with Manna Food Center for more than 30 years.
In addition to County buses, non-perishable food donations will also be accepted at the five regional services centers, the county libraries, and the Executive and Council Office Buildings.
Food Donation Sites
Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, Rockville
240-777-5880
County Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
240-777-5870
Regional Services Centers:
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
4805 Edgemoor Ln, Bethesda
240-777-8200
East County Community Recreation Center
3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring
240-475-6527
Mid-County Regional Services Center
2425 Reedie Drive Wheaton
240-777-8103
Silver Spring Regional Services Center
One Veterans Place, Silver Spring
240-777-5300
Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown
240-777-8000
County Libraries:
Davis Library (North Bethesda)
6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
240-777-0922
Gaithersburg Library
18330 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg
240-773-9490
Long Branch Library
8800 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring
240-777-0910
Olney Library
3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney
240-773-9545
White Oak Library
11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring
240-773-9555
Manna Food Center locations:
Manna Food Center warehouse
9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg
301-424-1130
Manna Food Center administrative office
12301 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring
301-424-1130
