City and Community Partners Collaborate to Support Residents During Federal Shutdown

Mayor Brandon M. Scott recently announced a $4.68 million investment to support Baltimore residents and federal workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown. More than 116,000 residents have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and many federal employees have already missed two paychecks.

This funding will sustain critical programs that provide food, housing, and child care — critical services as thousands of Baltimoreans face disruptions to essential federal benefits. City of Baltimore investments include:

• $550,000 to the Maryland Food Bank for its partners in Baltimore City to expand food distribution;

• $410,000 to the Baltimore City Health Department for the Home Delivered Food Box Program, which delivers shelf-stable groceries directly to residents;

• $300,000 to the Department of Planning for the Produce Box Distribution Program (ARPA-funded program established during the Covid-19 pandemic) that will fund an additional 17,647 15-pound boxes of fresh produce for residents at over 30 distribution partners across the city;

• $150,000 in grant funding to So What Else, which provides mobile food delivery across West and Southwest Baltimore;

• $150,000 in grant funding to The Food Project to support three months of operational and food costs; and

• $150,000 in grant funding to the Baltimore Hunger Project for weekend meal delivery for City Schools students.

Residents are encouraged to visit baltimorecity.gov/shutdown for information on how to apply for these programs and other resources.

“Our hope is that this package will help Baltimoreans put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and care for our youngest residents,” Mayor Scott said in a press conference on Oct. 28. “I want to thank all of the community partners stepping up to support this work."

The Baltimore Civic Fund is proud to partner with the City of Baltimore in distributing many of these funds to local nonprofits. We are also coordinating with funders to leverage the City’s investments for greater impact and seeking additional opportunities to work with the City through these difficult times.