Pandemic Response Champion Older Adults Feeding Program (Baltimore City)
Photo: The last day at Lot C, the Senior Feeding Program’s distribution site. From April 27th to August 20th , agency representatives, program coordinators and volunteers would meet here before heading out to deliver the meals.
The Older Adults Feeding Program is a volunteer-driven operation created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a component of The Salvation Army. In collaboration and partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging (the LEAN Campaign), Baltimore City Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Aging Maryland Access Point (MAP) a large-scale feeding operation was designed to provide up to 10,000 meals a day to vulnerable seniors independently and across the 145 senior living facilities and residential housing within Baltimore City.
Nearly 1 MILLION meals were delivered with a couple thousand volunteer hours. Volunteers ranged from community members who joined a handful of times, those that made volunteering a part of their everyday lives, and the dedicated service of the Maryland National Guard. The nominator stated, “None of this positive community impact could have been achieved without our neighbors stepping up to the call for action. Our volunteers embodied The Salvation Army’s pillars: passion, compassion, bravery, uplifting, and trustworthiness.”
“Regardless of weather conditions, time conflicts or logistical hiccups, they would report early, put on their PPEs and serve.”
Do you want to volunteer with The Salvation Army? Visit here, today.
Willis Howell, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army Southern territory, speaking with a housing manager during his delivery run on his visit to Baltimore City.
Volunteers check-in and wait for vehicles to line up at Lot C, Camden Yard Sporting Complex.
The Maryland National Guard were an integral part of the operation during its first month. They would assemble in two lines, loading the meals in all the vehicles.
During an unprecedented time, the 48 ft refrigerated freight trailer, courtesy of Perdue Chicken, labelled with the Salvation Army’s motto serves as a beacon of hope and a calling for all those who drove by M&T Bank Stadium. We are grateful for the Maryland Stadium Authority’s generosity, allowing us to stage the relief effort in Lot C.
I do not know if you want to remove this picture. Upon closer examination, the gentleman took off his mask to speak on the phone. Regardless, “The Maryland National Guard preparing for the meal run”
No amount of rain would deter the program from accomplishing its mission of delivering the meals to the most vulnerable neighbors.
Justin, one of the returning volunteers, enthusiastically in line passing meal boxes to load up the vehicles.
Volunteers organizing and allocating meals to meet the specific number of residents in each housing facility.
