If you are 60 years of age or older and would like to know more about My Groceries to Go!, contact the Maryland
Food Bank at 410-737-8282 for eligibility guidelines and registration locations. “My Groceries to Go!” is currently available in a limited area of
Baltimore City. Expansion will depend on reaching federal goals and availability of funds. Visit the Maryland Food Bank website for future updates:
www.mdfoodbank.org
Department of Aging Partners with Food Bank to Launch Program for Older Marylanders
My Groceries to Go! Introduced during Maryland Unites Day of Service Event
Governor Larry Hogan’s Maryland Unites: Day of Service Initiative provided perfect support for the launch of the Maryland Department of Aging’s
new commodity supplemental food program, My Groceries to Go! on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at St. Mary’s Outreach Center, 3900 Roland Avenue, in
Baltimore, Maryland.
Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona E. Kramer was joined by 15 members of her staff who volunteered their time filling
grocery carts as part of the governor’s Day of Service Initiative. More than 100 seniors attended the launch of My Groceries to Go! These new
participants will continue to pick up 40 pound grocery boxes filled with pantry staples each month as the program seeks to reach 2400 seniors monthly.
A bounty of fresh local produce was provided by the Maryland Food Bank as an added bonus for all who attended the launch.
Rona E. Kramer Secretary of Aging volunteered
at the My Groceries to Go! launch |
Volunteers from the Maryland Department of Aging
sort food at the My Groceries to Go! launch |
My Groceries to Go! is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve health status and reduce nutritional risk. The Maryland Department
of Aging administers this federal grant for the state of Maryland and partners with the Maryland Food Bank for day to day program operations including
the preparation and distribution of food boxes to eligible participants. The Baltimore City Division of Aging CARE Services plays an indispensible role
as the city’s focal point for coordinating services for older adults by offering its expertise to inform the selection of distribution sites and innovative
educational outreach. "The My Groceries to Go! supplemental food program allows us to provide nutritious meals to our most precious citizens,” said
Secretary of Aging Rona E. Kramer. “We are excited about our partnership with the Maryland Food Bank and the USDA because, with their help, we are able to
expand our goal of keeping our senior citizens healthy.” The program also encourages participants to take charge of their nutritional health by including
recipes, tips, and educational information in the boxes that promote a healthy diet.
Maryland Unites, www.marylandunites.org, was created in the wake of civil unrest in Baltimore City, and has raised
more than $500,000 toward relief efforts. The Day of Service Initiative is an opportunity for state employees to offer their time and talents to benefit our
citizens through community service. State employees who participate receive four hours of paid leave and have the option to volunteer for their agency or a
select an activity of their choice.
“These days of service are about the spirit of giving back and sharing it with our state and our local communities,” said Governor Hogan. “I am proud of the
overwhelming response we have received to date and encourage all state employees to participate in an event with the shared goal of helping those in need.”
