STATE POLICE AND PARTNERS BRING IN 33,405 POUNDS OF FOOD DURING HUNGER ACTION MONTH

BALTIMORE -- Earlier today at each of the Maryland Food Bank's three facilities, representatives from the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Transportation joined food bank executives in welcoming a caravan of squad cars, trucks, buses and other official vehicles stuffed to the brim with 33,405 pounds of donated food. The loaded vehicles convened at the food bank locations in Baltimore, Salisbury, and Hagerstown to deliver and weigh donations gathered from across the state during Hunger Action Month.

"This outpouring of support is absolutely overwhelming," said Deborah Flateman, Maryland Food Bank president & CEO. "We are truly grateful to each and every person who donated a dollar or a can of food, as well as to all of our partners who, quite literally, did the heavy lifting. The passion to end hunger in Maryland is palpable."

Throughout September, food donations from generous Marylanders were received at all Maryland State Police barracks as well as select State Highway Administration buildings, Motor Vehicle Administration offices and inspection stations, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Port of Baltimore, and even in designated toll lanes at the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels, as well as other Maryland roadways.

New this year, an online option to donate through the food bank's virtual food drive platform added to the success, allowing supporters to designate specific food items to be purchased with their cash donations. Those still interested in donating can do so online at https://fooddrive.mdfoodbank.org/.

Today's weigh-ins wrapped up yet another successful Hunger Action Month, which for the first time included a challenge to Maryland's elected officials to "be a voice" on social media and help bring awareness to the issue of hunger. Elected officials ranging from Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, as well as state senators and gubernatorial candidates, uploaded selfies with personal messages about ending hunger in Maryland. To see who took part in the challenge, search #BeAVoiceMFB on Twitter and Facebook.