As the CoVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States, infecting as of this writing over 5 million US citizens and killing over 160,000, communities across the country continue to struggle as businesses that were unable to weather the economic slowdown have closed, workers have lost their jobs and people have fallen behind with rent and mortgages, increasing the risk of evictions across the country. The ineffectual efforts of national legislators in drafting new relief measures, with the expiration of the meager $600 payouts and a failure or refusal to renew the measures, have left many Americans in the lurch. Unemployment has surged, and hunger threatens communities that once thought they were safe from the worst ravages of poverty.
In several cities across the United States, local governments have identified organizations, businesses and foundations that have donated to food drives, and community organizations have answered with independent charitable efforts, often teaming up to provide relief, however modest, for struggling communities. Below are some of the announcements of efforts that have been launched in the Baltimore, Maryland area, from Baltimore City agencies, church foundations and community organizations.
Most of these food distribution events have specific dates and times. Some are undated. As we learn more about these events, we will do what we can to let our readers know about them.
The City of Baltimore announced several locations where free food distribution events are occurring, from churches, City schools, recreation centers and community organizations.
The Arch Social Club, located at 2426 Pennsylvania Avenue in the Penn-North Community, holds a food giveaway event on Thursday afternoons starting at 12 noon. The club, like other establishments that held regular social events, was forced to close down during the height of the pandemic, but the dedication of the Brothers and several Sisters who provided invaluable assistance made sure the club was able to continue to serve as a beacon to the surrounding neighborhood. Until the pandemic has been brought under control, the club has been forced to do what it can to provide assistance to the community as it prepares to resume operations once the pandemic has been defeated.
Above, the Brothers of the Arch Social Club, the oldest current Black private social club in the United States, stand ready to reach out to the community, as many of them did during community walks every Monday evening before the pandemic struck. Below, they are set up to distribute food to those who drive through for the Thursday afternoon food drive, and they are prepared with masks, gloves and guides to direct community members to ensure a smooth and safe event.
The food giveaway events below, from AgriHood Baltimore and Be More Green & the ICARRe Foundation, were not dated, so it might be prudent to contact them and ensure that these food giveaway events are still current.
There are other events happening across the City of Baltimore and elsewhere in the state of Maryland about which we are unaware. But rest assured there are community organizations, local churches and even government officials who are making the effort to actually serve the struggling communities of this and other cities. As we learn of them, we will post announcements about their programs so the people will know where to find assistance. Contact us at cliff@kuumbareport.com if you know of food-distribution events that need to be brought to the people’s attention.