More Need Assistance as Poverty Level Rises in Baltimore County



Jose Rodriguez knows the holidays are a time when people are more generous.

There are canned food drives, clothing drives and Salvation Army workers seeking donations for those in need all over the place as Christmas nears. But, the 48-year-old wants others to know that people need help all year long; something those at recognizes.

"A lot of people need help at the people here have helped me and others get a hot meal and food when they have their food pantry," said Rodriguez of the church. "They show a level of respect not shown everywhere."

That respect is noticed by area non-profit organizations that help those in need, including the Maryland Food Bank, which utilized the Essex church for a food giveaway on Thursday. Several hundred people braved the snow and turned out to receive a bag of groceries courtesy of the Maryland Food Bank, purchased with $1 million given to them by the state.

In all, volunteers distributed more than 9,000 pounds of food. Each person or family in line also received a turkey, one of 400 donated by Wal-Mart for the event.

Nancy Smith, governmental relations officer for the Maryland Food Bank, said events like the one on Thursday are needed now more than ever in Baltimore County. According to the U.S. Census, the poverty rate in the jurisdiction is 8.3 percent, compared to 6.5 percent a decade ago.

The cases of those dealing with poverty appear to be even more prevalent in eastern Baltimore County, according to an article in The Baltimore Sun.

"Many of the people seeking our help now are those who are just over the poverty level and don't qualify for any other assistance and that puts added strain on our resources," Smith said. "They don't know where to turn, which is why working together with local churches that have the trust of its members is so important. This is the most assist we've had to offer middle class families in 30 years."

The food giveaway on Thursday was the second of three scheduled this month in eastern Baltimore County, which Maryland Food Bank officials said were some of there largest of the year. Participants say they wouldn't be able to assist so many people with out government, churches, businesses and non-profits all working together.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, along with Del. Mike Weir, D-Essex and Del. John Olszewski Jr., D-Dundalk, joined several church and Wal-Mart volunteers to help unload and distribute food to those in need. O'Malley said budgeting $1 million for the Maryland Food Bank was part of his effort to eliminate childhood hunger in the state by 2015.

"Whatever a company can do, whatever an individual can do and whatever a business large or small can do is important because you can do it for other people," O'Malley said. "There are a lot of people hurting out there through no fault of their own, who have been look for work for months and months and months. This is a rough economy and these are the times when the people of Maryland and people of Baltimore step up and show what they are made of."

Essex United Methodist Church Pastor Kimberly Brown-Whale said she was amazed at the generosity of so many in the community and hopes to build on this event to help as many needy people as possible. The church has already served more than 5,000 meals over the last year as part of its "Table of Grace" program.

"This economy has impacted so many people and many don't know what is out there for them," Brown-Whale said. "I'm just so grateful to see that there are so many out there willing to be there for those who need it most."

For more information on how to donate to the Maryland Food Bank, click here.