ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today visited Our Daily Bread in Baltimore City—one of 99 Maryland Emergency Food Program partners across the state—to give thanks to the critical local food security partners who help feed hungry Marylanders every day. The governor’s visit also reinforced support for Maryland families who continue to recover from the longest-ever federal government shutdown.
“The team at Our Daily Bread defines what it means to serve the community with distinction,” said Gov. Moore. “When White House cruelty threatened to starve Maryland families, food security partners all across our state stepped up. We supported them during the shutdown with $10 million in emergency funding, and we continue to stand with them today. Because in Maryland, we always protect our people—no matter the challenge.”
Our Daily Bread—overseen by Catholic Charities—is Maryland’s largest hot meal program. In operation without a single interruption in service since 1979, the organization received more than $16,000 in support as a Maryland Emergency Food Program participant in FY 2026. Last fiscal year, Our Daily Bread served more than 34,000 vulnerable adults in Baltimore City—among the highest reach of any Maryland Emergency Food Program partner that year.
Nearly 100 Maryland Emergency Food Program participants recently received funding as part of the $10 million in emergency funding for food security partners mobilized to support Marylanders who were impacted by the federal government shutdown and delayed release of November SNAP benefits. The Maryland Department of Human Services has since dispersed the full allocation of funds to partners across the state, modifying existing grants and leveraging well-established networks of food banks to move quickly.
“Working with community partners across the state, this investment in Marylanders was the result of quick and decisive action taken by the Moore-Miller Administration to help Maryland families put food on their tables as they continue to recover from the longest federal government shutdown on record,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López.
Of the $10 million distributed, the Maryland Food Bank received $5.5 million to serve Baltimore City and the 21 other counties in its service area, while the Capital Area Food Bank received $3.5 million to focus on serving Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Both organizations are not charging community partners or food banks administrative costs for receiving funds or food deliveries. The organizations are also allocating resources to their combined network of more than 500 partners, allowing them to purchase food from local retailers.
“This infusion of funds meant the Maryland Food Bank could quickly purchase nearly 2 million pounds of food for distribution to our network of community-based partners, as well as support 116 partners with funding to buy additional food from local grocery stores,” said Maryland Food Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Meg Kimmel. “While the government shutdown has ended, the impacts on families have not—and we are grateful to DHS and the Moore-Miller Administration for their rapid response.”
“The remarkable investment from Maryland DHS and the Moore-Miller Administration in the well-being of our neighbors has been instrumental in our ability to meet a surge in need during this incredibly difficult time,” said Capital Area Food Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Radha Muthiah. “Keeping nutritious food on people’s tables is vital to helping them thrive today and into the future. We’re grateful for the support that is helping CAFB and our network of nonprofit partners do just that by allowing us to supply over a million more meals to our Maryland communities.”
Marylanders who are in need of food assistance are encouraged to visit 211 Maryland to locate the nearest food pantry or food bank.
Additional information is available at dhs.maryland.gov.
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