NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (DC News Now) — A heartwarming effort is underway in Maryland to make sure families have a hot meal.
The Move for Hunger took place Tuesday afternoon at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill.
Teri Williams was one of many volunteers who helped prepare meal kits for families in need.
“When the young lady came over to us and gave us the opportunity to feed a family of course I jumped at the chance and if I could do it a thousand more times I would because this is a major issue in our community and it’s just unfortunate to hear there are time when kids don’t get to eat,” Williams said.
Hundreds of volunteers joined an assembly line with the goal of preparing 800 meal kits.
Each meal kit feeds a family of four, equating to 3,200 total meals, and is packed in a reusable bag to go to a local food bank.
The event aims to raise awareness and provide tangible support to the growing number of families facing food insecurity in the greater Washington, D.C., and Southern Maryland areas.
Adam Lowy is the Executive Director for Move for Hunger.
“Here in Maryland one in six kids go to bed hungry each and every night and they do not know where their next meal will come from, and events like this really helps raise awareness,” he said.
Lowy said after a decade-long decline, hunger has been rising in the United States since 2021. In the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area, 37% of residents, accounting for nearly 1.5 million people, don’t always know where their next meal will come from.
Jenna Brinkmyer said it feels good to help those who need it. She works for Atlas Van Lines, the company working hand in hand with Paxton Van Lines to help put food on the table for the less fortunate.
“We are so happy to be able to donate to a local food bank here in Maryland and we know the impact is awesome and we just want to help as my families as possible,” Brinkmyer said.
Move For Hunger is a national nonprofit organization that mobilizes transportation networks to deliver surplus food to communities in need.
