Bob Culver Kicks Off Employee Campaign To Collect 3,000 Pounds of Food

SALISBURY – Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver will be kicking off the “Feeding Our Neighbors” challenge among County government employees on Friday with a goal to collect 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food for the Maryland Food Bank.

This is the second year the County has partnered with the Maryland Food Bank to help collect food during the holiday season. Last year, County employees collected 2,317 pounds of food which provided 2,780 meals. The campaign will run through December 16th, 2016.

The Maryland Food Bank estimates that 46,000 people living on the Eastern Shore are considered to be “food insecure”, meaning they are not sure where they will get their next meal. One third of those are children. 

“Last year, I challenged County employees to collect one ton of food (2,000 pounds) and many said it couldn’t be done. But we exceeded that goal! So this year, we’re upping it to 3,000 pounds which will equate to 3,600 meals and I know we can do it. There is a real need and I’m proud that our employees step up to help fill this pressing need.”

The public is invited to participate, and can drop off non-perishable food items at several locations: the Government Office Building, the Department of Corrections, the Roads Department, the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department.

All food will be donated to the Maryland Food Bank’s Eastern Shore Branch. The Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger relief organization, leading the movement to end hunger throughout Maryland. The Eastern Shore Branch provides food to 165 soup kitchens, pantries, and other community-based partners in the region.