Food Access Call Center Directs Residents to Information and Access to County and Community-Based Programs

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 10, 2020

            Do you need food during the COVID-19 public health emergency?  Montgomery County residents can call 311 and ask for the Food Access call center.  Callers will receive a return phone call from a trained resource specialist who can determine your individual food needs and help you locate food assistance in your community.  Calls are returned within 24 hours and callers can be assisted in the language of their choice.  No personal identifying information is needed to get help.

            Callers will receive information about free meal and grocery delivery, SNAP (Food Stamps), local food providers, and other resources in Montgomery County as the community copes with the ongoing health crisis.   

            The County’s Food Security Task Force, formed in early May, has been working during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the increasing need for food assistance across the County. Members include the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, Recreation, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Montgomery County Public Schools, the Montgomery County Food Council, and food assistance providers throughout the community.  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, 2,691,738 meals have been provided to residents.

            A new video provides an overview about food resources in the County and a second video directs residents to contacts who can provide assistance in Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.  The videos were developed by Kahlil Greene, a Montgomery County resident and member of the task force’s communications team.

            For more information on food resources in Montgomery County, visit the County’s COVID-19 website.  Follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.

            Put the “count” in Montgomery County! Be sure to complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail. It’s safe, confidential, easy, and important. #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD

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Media Contact:  Mary Anderson, mary.anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov

Release ID: 20-308
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 301-529-7669