More News

Flushed with cash and a steady stream of donations, volunteers at the Fort Washington Food Pantry said it's bucking the trend of area food banks. But as the food rolls in, the pantry finds itself constantly lacking only one thing: space.

Due to a recent surge in clients, coupled with additional food to feed them, pantry leaders say they need to find a new space to accommodate its growing operation or limit the number of clients served each month.

Since January the pantry has received more than $6,000 in donations — already outpacing the $4,500 donated in 2008.

Every year since 2005, the pantry has had an increase of 1,000 mouths to feed. The pantry, which only operates on Saturdays at St. John's Episcopal Church in Fort Washington, has an open door policy toward clients, requiring only proof of residence.

As the recession deepens, volunteers said they've seen a continued increase of clients stopping by for food as the pantry is the largest of its kind along the Indian Head/Route 210 corridor serving clients as far south as Charles County.

"We have a lot of good food but we've had a doubling of people," said Barbara Livingston, pantry co-chairwoman.

Inside, the pantry's cup is literally running over: refrigerators are packed while sacks of yams and potatoes are stacked against the walls and canned foods are pushed against tight shelf space. Livingston said she's had to turn away some food donations and even had to store food in her car during the winter.

"We have expanded so much that it's getting really hard — we really need to move to another location," Livingston said.

The pantry opened in 1984 serving a dozen families a week throughout communities in south county. Since then, it has grown to serve as many as 40 to 50 families a week. In recent years, the pantry switched to a more liberal policy known as "Client Choice" that allows patrons to choose the food they receive instead of a pre-planned packaged common to most pantries, which Livingston said has contributed to the pantry's popularity.

But Fort Washington's woes may not be uncommon for area food banks—many claim to have seen a steady increase in donations from giving individuals and organizations.

"Individuals have been very generous with donation because they do see there is a need," said Shamia Holloway, communications manager for the Capital Area Food Bank, of Washington, D.C., which services food pantries through the regions, including the one in Fort Washington.

Livingston said she and her volunteers will continue to scout rent-free locations throughout the area but fears that in the coming weeks she may have to begin turning away clients.

"We are getting lots of food," she said. "It's really about space."

For more information of the Fort Washington Food Pantry call 301-248-4290.

E-mail Joshua Garner at jgarner@gazette.net.