Montgomery County Food Drive Returns As Demand Rises

Montgomery County officials and Manna Food Center are again partnering to host the annual Ride On Food Drive as food insecurity continues to rise across the county.

More than 34% of Montgomery County residents are food insecure, according to Manna Food Center, up from 27% in 2023. Additionally, nearly 280,000 residents rely on food distribution centers for access to nutritious food.

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Manna Food Center distributed more than 3 million pounds of food to more than 56,000 people last year through its network across the county, and demand continues to increase, according to CEO Craig Rice.

The food drive will collect nonperishable food donations aboard Ride On, extRa, Flex and Flash buses. Donations will also be accepted at libraries, including branches in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Kensington, Olney, Potomac, Rockville and Silver Spring. Donations can also be dropped off at the Leggett Executive Office Building and County Council Office Building in Rockville, along with Manna Food Center’s warehouse in Gaithersburg and administrative office in Silver Spring.

High-need items include instant oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, canned tuna, beans, shelf-stable milk, cooking oils and spices, according to Manna Food Center.

The food drive runs May 22-31.

Learn more and view a list of much-needed items as well as all drop-off locations on the MCDOT Food Drive webpage.