Capital Area Food Bank » Marian Peele

Partners Triumphed Over 2011 Challenges

Marian Peele — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:31:26 +0000

The end of the year invites reflection and as I reflect on the past year, I think of the some of the remarkable accomplishments. Six school food pantries serving over 1,000 children and their families were established. This year, the mobile food pantry program distributed close to 9 million pounds of food directly to families at community centers, churches and social services agencies. This was possible thanks to a generous donation from the Bedford Falls Foundation which helped cover the cost of acquiring and distributing fresh produce to our partners.

This year also saw partner agencies more committed than ever to provide food to an ever increasing population of those in need. Many agencies reported increases of 10-75%. Each agency dealt with the demand in creative and strategic ways from teaching cooking classes or providing SNAP information to planting gardens.

As challenging as 2011 has been, I anticipate even more challenges in 2012. We wait in anticipation to see how we as a people and a nation confront the overwhelming pain that so many of our neighbors and friends are experiencing with the slow economic recovery. And next year the Food Bank faces the logistical challenge of moving into a new, larger facility. Nonetheless, we welcome such a challenge as we will greatly increase our ability to acquire and distribute even more food.

I look forward to 2012 and believe with our expansion and the help of our great partners, we will narrow the meal gap significantly.

Below is a video of the work being done by a few partner agencies in Prince Georges County, Maryland. While only a few are represented in this video, the work featured is indicative of the remarkable work being done throughout the Partner Agency network.

Harvest for Health Inspires

Marian Peele — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:02:57 +0000

This past March, I sat in on 1 of 3 classes for the Agency Achievement Academy’s Garden Series. The Garden Series was facilitated by our own, JuJu Harris and Susan Topping. The goal of the Garden series is to educate community organizations on the basis of starting and maintaining a garden. JuJu and Susan are passionate about gardening and their passion, brother, is contagious! Unfortunately, I had to tear myself away from the workshop to get back to my office however in the short 15 minutes that I sat in, I was motivated to start my own garden. Well, 5 raised beds, 62 bags of top soil, many many trips to Behnke, Home Depot & Lowes, later, my yard is a hot bed (pun intended) of activity.

Marian Peele, director of Agency Relations

I’m growing 15 different types of herbs (all legal), cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini and lots of perennials! So talk to JuJu or Susan, they’ll give you lots of information and inspiration for you to start your own garden.

Meeting Increasing Food Assistance Demand in Ward 8

Marian Peele — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:48:25 +0000

Each Wednesday from Noon-1pm and each Thursday from 7-8 pm, the food pantry at Paramount Baptist Church distributes food to those struggling with hunger in DC’s Ward 8. Pantry Director, Susie Harris, says that there pantry is needed now more than ever. The number of households she serves doubled in 2009. In 2008, they served a total of 205 families and in 2009, they served 420 families.

The pantry has been able to meet the increased demand because they are a partner of the Capital Area Food Bank. Through the Food Bank, they receive USDA Commodities, donated food and when needed purchased product. In addition, Paramount is one of 54 Brown Bag sites, a supplemental food program for senior citizens. Each month, pantry volunteers pick up and deliver 23 brown bags for distribution to senior citizens located in Ward 8. Paramount also receives USDA commodities, fresh produce, and bread and pastries available through the food bank’s Sister Hook Up program. This year, the pantry received an Abe’s Table grant through the Wizard’s Care foundation. The $1500 grant allowed the pantry to access additional donated items for distribution to their clients.

Susie Harris says that being a partner of the Capital Area Food Bank has enabled their pantry to serve more families in need of food assistance. She says, “We thank God for empowering us to provide a needed service in the Ward 8 community through the use of the Capital Area Food Bank.”