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United Way of Central Maryland
Updated 02.19.21
COVID-19 Response
Thank you for investing more than
The need for COVID-19 support in Central Maryland
The impact of COVID-19 on our neighbors and our neighborhoods has brought with it cascading needs: more people need food, more people are at a high risk of losing their homes, more students are falling behind in school, and more people are calling our 211 Helpline. We're responding to immediate needs, helping our communities as they begin to recover, and looking at long-term, sustainable solutions to rebuild.
distributed to
prevent hunger
$290k+
calls were answered
through the 211 Helpline
206k+
to bridge
the digital divide*
$382K+
neighbors remained
in their homes
3,500+
Creating Impact
Between the generous donations to the United Way of Central Maryland COVID-19 Fund and participation in funding collaboratives with the COVID-19 Relief Funding Collaborative of Greater Baltimore and HoCo Responds, we’ve been able to help Central Maryland in so many ways, including:
*Includes corporate gift from Stanley Black & Decker and grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services
How United Way of Central Maryland is responding
The United Way of Central Maryland COVID-19 Fund was established to help the families, businesses, and organizations impacted by this pandemic. We know that communities of color are more greatly impacted by the pandemic; systemic barriers create even greater difficulty accessing basics like healthy food and stable housing, as well as reliable digital access and mental health concerns. Our goal is to respond to immediate needs, bolster recovery, and support our communities as they rebuild.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we surveyed 148 organizations to assess how they have been impacted. Three quarters of those surveyed were concerned about funding to sustain their current level of service.
We partnered with others to streamline fund distribution to organizations to provide critically needed services during and after this crisis.
In addition to these funding collaboratives, we’re working with partners to address a variety of needs. More than 2,000 volunteers have stepped up to support our efforts, as well.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through
the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry
Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to
see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing
increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal
Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide,
Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure
rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make
sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize
Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were
able to bring food to them directly.
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction
prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and
bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management
companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has
been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households
below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship
due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to
provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
Keep people in their homes
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to
homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through
December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing
labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with
five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry,
Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other
organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and
community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches
to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with
25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth
Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families
when they visited food pantries.
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In
partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support
Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High
School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and
Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address
environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
In addition to connecting callers to the 211 Helpline to counselors with Pro Bono Counseling Service, we awarded a grant to increase their capacity and technology.
The Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and The Michael Phelps Foundation created 5,515 kits to address mental health concerns of students disengaged in virtual learning. Under Armour, Comcast, and First Financial Credit Union donated bags for kits.
We are distributing 360 mental health support kits to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community and hosting monthly virtual community conversations to better understand neighbors’ needs during the pandemic.
An additional 500 kits were assembled by Baltimore Ravens staff and distributed in Poppleton, the site of one of our Neighborhood Zones.
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Keep people in their homes
Keep people in their homes
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Keep people in their homes
Your gift to the COVID-19 Fund means that we can keep people in their homes, ensure access to healthy food, address mental health concerns, connect people to the digital access they need during the pandemic, and work to reduce the barriers that prevent our neighbors from living their best lives.
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to respond, recover, and rebuild in Central Maryland.
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TO DONATE NOW
HoCo Responds: Partnering with three other funders (Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County) to support non-profit organizations in Howard County.
COVID-19 Relief Funding Collaborative of Greater Baltimore: Partnering with local funders to support non-profit organizations serving Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties. (Partners include: Abell Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, the Bernard Family, France-Merrick Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation, the Lerner Family, Rauch Foundation. Maryland Philanthropy Network is an advisor; Baltimore’s Promise serves as the administrative backbone.).
In partnership with DJ Kopec, we raised funds for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center and supported a toy drive for children at shelters and hospitals during the holidays.
We are distributing 200 cases per week of toiletries and cleaning items donated by Amazon to local shelters and community centers. Amazon also donated 5,000 ready-to eat meals.
In partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, we are providing volunteers to distribute meals and academic packets at area schools.
We partnered with the Maryland Philanthropy Network to support the Youth Empowerment Society.
We collaborated with our Women United membership group to crowdsource diapers and other baby items and distribute them to families in need in South Baltimore.
We granted the Southeast Community Development Corporation with funds to help Latinx communities who have been excluded from government assistance.
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through
the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry
Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to
see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing
increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal
Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide,
Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure
rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make
sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize
Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were
able to bring food to them directly.
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction
prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and
bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management
companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has
been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households
below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship
due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to
provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to
homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through
December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing
labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with
five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry,
Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other
organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and
community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches
to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with
25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth
Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families
when they visited food pantries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In
partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support
Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High
School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and
Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address
environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through
the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry
Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to
see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing
increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal
Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide,
Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure
rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make
sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize
Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were
able to bring food to them directly.
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction
prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and
bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management
companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has
been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households
below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship
due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to
provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to
homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through
December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing
labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with
five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry,
Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other
organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and
community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches
to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with
25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth
Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families
when they visited food pantries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In
partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support
Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High
School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and
Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address
environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
In addition to connecting callers to the 211 Helpline to counselors with Pro Bono Counseling Service, we awarded a grant to increase their capacity and technology.
The Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and The Michael Phelps Foundation created 5,515 kits to address mental health concerns of students disengaged in virtual learning. Under Armour, Comcast, and First Financial Credit Union donated bags for kits.
We are distributing 360 mental health support kits to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community and hosting monthly virtual community conversations to better understand neighbors’ needs during the pandemic.
An additional 500 kits were assembled by Baltimore Ravens staff and distributed in Poppleton, the site of one of our Neighborhood Zones.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we surveyed 148 organizations to assess how they have been impacted. Three quarters of those surveyed were concerned about funding to sustain their current level of service.
We partnered with others to streamline fund distribution to organizations to provide critically needed services during and after this crisis.
In addition to these funding collaboratives, we’re working with partners to address a variety of needs. More than 2,000 volunteers have stepped up to support our efforts, as well.
HoCo Responds: Partnering with three other funders (Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County) to support non-profit organizations in Howard County.
COVID-19 Relief Funding Collaborative of Greater Baltimore: Partnering with local funders to support non-profit organizations serving Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties. (Partners include: Abell Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, the Bernard Family, France-Merrick Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation, the Lerner Family, Rauch Foundation. Maryland Philanthropy Network is an advisor; Baltimore’s Promise serves as the administrative backbone.).
In partnership with DJ Kopec, we raised funds for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center and supported a toy drive for children at shelters and hospitals during the holidays.
We are distributing 200 cases per week of toiletries and cleaning items donated by Amazon to local shelters and community centers. Amazon also donated 5,000 ready-to eat meals.
In partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, we are providing volunteers to distribute meals and academic packets at area schools.
We partnered with the Maryland Philanthropy Network to support the Youth Empowerment Society.
We collaborated with our Women United membership group to crowdsource diapers and other baby items and distribute them to families in need in South Baltimore.
We granted the Southeast Community Development Corporation with funds to help Latinx communities who have been excluded from government assistance.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Click to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through
the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry
Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to
see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing
increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal
Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide,
Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure
rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make
sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize
Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were
able to bring food to them directly.
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Click to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction
prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and
bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management
companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has
been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households
below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship
due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to
provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Click to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to
homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through
December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing
labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with
five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry,
Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other
organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and
community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches
to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with
25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth
Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families
when they visited food pantries.
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Click to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In
partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support
Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High
School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and
Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address
environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Click to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
In addition to connecting callers to the 211 Helpline to counselors with Pro Bono Counseling Service, we awarded a grant to increase their capacity and technology.
The Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and The Michael Phelps Foundation created 5,515 kits to address mental health concerns of students disengaged in virtual learning. Under Armour, Comcast, and First Financial Credit Union donated bags for kits.
We are distributing 360 mental health support kits to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community and hosting monthly virtual community conversations to better understand neighbors’ needs during the pandemic.
An additional 500 kits were assembled by Baltimore Ravens staff and distributed in Poppleton, the site of one of our Neighborhood Zones.
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Keep people in their homes
Click to continue.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we surveyed 148 organizations to assess how they have been impacted. Three quarters of those surveyed were concerned about funding to sustain their current level of service.
We partnered with others to streamline fund distribution to organizations to provide critically needed services during and after this crisis.
In addition to these funding collaboratives, we’re working with partners to address a variety of needs. More than 2,000 volunteers have stepped up to support our efforts, as well.
HoCo Responds: Partnering with three other funders (Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County) to support non-profit organizations in Howard County.
COVID-19 Relief Funding Collaborative of Greater Baltimore: Partnering with local funders to support non-profit organizations serving Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties. (Partners include: Abell Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, the Bernard Family, France-Merrick Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation, the Lerner Family, Rauch Foundation. Maryland Philanthropy Network is an advisor; Baltimore’s Promise serves as the administrative backbone.).
In partnership with DJ Kopec, we raised funds for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center and supported a toy drive for children at shelters and hospitals during the holidays.
We are distributing 200 cases per week of toiletries and cleaning items donated by Amazon to local shelters and community centers. Amazon also donated 5,000 ready-to eat meals.
In partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, we are providing volunteers to distribute meals and academic packets at area schools.
We partnered with the Maryland Philanthropy Network to support the Youth Empowerment Society.
We collaborated with our Women United membership group to crowdsource diapers and other baby items and distribute them to families in need in South Baltimore.
We granted the Southeast Community Development Corporation with funds to help Latinx communities who have been excluded from government assistance.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide, Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were able to bring food to them directly.
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry, Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with 25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families when they visited food pantries.
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
In addition to connecting callers to the 211 Helpline to counselors with Pro Bono Counseling Service, we awarded a grant to increase their capacity and technology.
The Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and The Michael Phelps Foundation created 5,515 kits to address mental health concerns of students disengaged in virtual learning. Under Armour, Comcast, and First Financial Credit Union donated bags for kits.
We are distributing 360 mental health support kits to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community and hosting monthly virtual community conversations to better understand neighbors’ needs during the pandemic.
An additional 500 kits were assembled by Baltimore Ravens staff and distributed in Poppleton, the site of one of our Neighborhood Zones.
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we surveyed 148 organizations to assess how they have been impacted. Three quarters of those surveyed were concerned about funding to sustain their current level of service.
We partnered with others to streamline fund distribution to organizations to provide critically needed services during and after this crisis.
In addition to these funding collaboratives, we’re working with partners to address a variety of needs. More than 2,000 volunteers have stepped up to support our efforts, as well.
HoCo Responds: Partnering with three other funders (Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County) to support non-profit organizations in Howard County.
COVID-19 Relief Funding Collaborative of Greater Baltimore: Partnering with local funders to support non-profit organizations serving Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties. (Partners include: Abell Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, the Bernard Family, France-Merrick Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation, the Lerner Family, Rauch Foundation. Maryland Philanthropy Network is an advisor; Baltimore’s Promise serves as the administrative backbone.).
In partnership with DJ Kopec, we raised funds for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center and supported a toy drive for children at shelters and hospitals during the holidays.
We are distributing 200 cases per week of toiletries and cleaning items donated by Amazon to local shelters and community centers. Amazon also donated 5,000 ready-to eat meals.
In partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, we are providing volunteers to distribute meals and academic packets at area schools.
We partnered with the Maryland Philanthropy Network to support the Youth Empowerment Society.
We collaborated with our Women United membership group to crowdsource diapers and other baby items and distribute them to families in need in South Baltimore.
We granted the Southeast Community Development Corporation with funds to help Latinx communities who have been excluded from government assistance.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
The 211 Maryland United Way Helpline is a 24/7 information and referral service. Calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic as we address the impact COVID-19 has had on our community.
100+ qualified community volunteers were trained to join our 211 team to field the influx of more than 200,000 calls that have come through the 211 Helpline since March 2020.
211 serves as a critical resource for those navigating systems like housing, food access, COVID-19 concerns, and more. Governor Larry Hogan and others have continually directed callers to the 211 Helpline for support. .
In additional to connecting callers with resources needed from partners, the 211 Helpline resource specialists also continually vet callers to see if they can benefit from our programming like rent forgiveness, meal deliveries, tech assistance, and more.
CareFirst partnered with us to answer COVID-19 medical questions, while Pro Bono Counseling Project counselors accept the growing increase of mental health-related calls.
The 211 Emergency Assistance Program provides emergency cash assistance to 211 callers who qualify. Grants are from the federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program, CARES Act, United Way of Central Maryland, and other foundations.
Grocery workers who qualify receive funds through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland, United Way Worldwide, Kendall Jackson, and other organizations to support essential workers.
We continued our partnership with Lyft to dispatch rides for essential workers to get to their jobs when transportation was shut down, ensure rides to doctor appointments, and more.
As a part of Lyft’s LyftUp initiative, we are partnering with United Way Worldwide, Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and other organizations to make sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to vaccination appointments. Those in need of transport can call 211 to utilize Universal Vaccine Access campaign.
Those facing food insecurity can call 211 to share their need and, through innovative partnerships with companies like DoorDash, we were able to bring food to them directly.
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
While executive orders have provided some protection against immediate evictions, many families and individuals in Greater Baltimore are falling months behind on payments. Our efforts focus on keeping people in their homes – today and in the future.
Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention: The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development granted $3M for targeted eviction prevention in Baltimore County. Our innovative program (based on a successful model from United Way of Greater Dallas) identifies and bundles many defaulted accounts in priority areas. Grant funds pay back-due rents and prevent pending evictions. To date, 23 management companies with 91 properties are participating in the pilot and 935 households in Baltimore County received assistance. (In total, $4.2M has been allocated through the program.) We’re planning expand and scale this successful model.
Rent Forgiveness Program: We’re piloting a new rent forgiveness program with landlords and agencies in Baltimore City. For households below 50% of the area median income with at least one school-age child, landlords will forgive one-third of the rent, renters (facing hardship due to COVID-19) agree to pay one-third, and United Way of Central Maryland covers the remaining third.
Legal Assistance: Studies show the benefits of legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. We partnered with the Public Justice Center to provide legal representation for clients in these programs, and other United Way housing programs, who need legal assistance.
Keep people in their homes
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
At the beginning of the pandemic, local food banks were at risk of closing their doors. As jobs were lost, lines for food grew longer and it was clear that access to healthy food was an immediate need.
12 neighborhood-focused food pantries received direct grants to sustain critical operations.
The Maryland Food Bank was granted funds to support their ongoing operations, and we worked with them and DoorDash to deliver food to homebound residents. We distributed the equivalent of 168,000+ meals in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County through December.
We worked with First Fruits Farm to support a produce bagging operation that would package potatoes for immediate distribution, reducing labor hours from partner organizations who need to quickly distribute food.
With support from the Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash in partnership with five local organizations: Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, Community Assistance Network, New Life Food Pantry, Rock & Steward Ministry, and City of Refuge.
In partnership with Meyerhoff Foundation, McCormick, and United Way Worldwide, we distributed meals via DoorDash through four other organizations.
We distributed more than 100,000 pounds of chicken and rolls from Holly Poultry and H&S Bakery to local food banks, shelters, and community centers.
We partnered with Holly Poultry, H&S Bakery, State Street Poultry & Provisions, and Nature’s Yolk to distribute 30,000 breakfast sandwiches to healthcare workers.
In collaboration with DJ Kopec, Holly Poultry, and the Community Action Network, we organized a drive-through food distribution site with 25,000 pounds of chicken and other items to 425 cars.
A new program with Classic Catering People and our longtime partner Access Arts provides 1,100 meals (to date) to Morrell Park residents.
Through a partnership with Starbucks Community Store in East Baltimore, we worked with the Maryland Food Bank to supply food for Youth Empowered Society.
We supported Healthy Little Cooks participants as a part of McCormick’s Flavor For Life program by distributing healthy meal kits to families when they visited food pantries.
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive divide in digital equity; many students (and adults) are without access to reliable equipment and WiFi access. Without this access, students are falling behind in virtual school and adults are struggling to adapt in digital environments.
We are a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition to increase Internet and computer access for all Baltimore residents. In partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition and Byte Back, we’ve brought on a 211 Helpline technology specialist to support Baltimore City residents enrolled in adult education or workforce development programs.
Bridgebuilders Arts Foundation and our membership groups collaborated to supply 650 tablets for low-income students at Ben Franklin High School.
In partnership with Rowdy Orb.it and fueled by gifts from Stanley Black & Decker and the Governor's Office on Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services, we’re providing digital access to South Baltimore. WiFi access points will also have air quality sensors to address environmental inequities, and residents will be hired to maintain infrastructure.
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.
Develop partnerships to deliver immediate and on-going relief
Expand 211 Helpline capacity to meet escalating needs, including direct financial assistance
In addition to connecting callers to the 211 Helpline to counselors with Pro Bono Counseling Service, we awarded a grant to increase their capacity and technology.
The Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and The Michael Phelps Foundation created 5,515 kits to address mental health concerns of students disengaged in virtual learning. Under Armour, Comcast, and First Financial Credit Union donated bags for kits.
We are distributing 360 mental health support kits to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community and hosting monthly virtual community conversations to better understand neighbors’ needs during the pandemic.
An additional 500 kits were assembled by Baltimore Ravens staff and distributed in Poppleton, the site of one of our Neighborhood Zones.
Responding to rapidly increasing mental health concerns
Ensure that our communities can access healthy food
Bridge the digital divide in virtual environments (and beyond)
Keep people in their homes
Tap to continue.