We are an all-volunteer food pantry located in the basement of the College Park Church of the Nazarene in College Park, MD. We provide non-perishable food and produce to visitors every Saturday morning. We provide food to everyone who visits without requiring any identification or qualifying information. In 2022, we served an average of 306 households every week, with those households representing 1173 individuals. We strive to provide nutritious food to our visitors. Donations of fresh produce, dairy products, lean meats, low-sodium canned food, and whole grain products are most welcome! Our visitors also appreciate baby items and hygiene products. Donation logistics can be coordinated through our website: http://www.collegeparkfoodbank.com/donate-food
Since we always distribute on Saturday mornings, donating Friday evening between 4pm and 6pm or Saturday morning between 8:30am and 9am is ideal. However, we are able to refrigerate perishable items and can accept donations at other times. Donors should contact us from the link on our website (http://www.collegeparkfoodbank.com/donate-food) to arrange special donation times.
Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off in our donation shed at the donor's convenience. Perishable donations should be coordinated through our website (http://www.collegeparkfoodbank.com/donate-food). The pantry is normally staffed on Friday evenings between 4pm and 6pm and Saturday morning between 8:30am and 11am. These are the most convenient times for pantry staff to accept donations. However, other times can be arranged.
ProducePedia
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.
