The Light House was recently awarded an $8,250 Nourishing Neighbors Summer Meals Grant from the Safeway Foundation to help connect individuals facing food insecurity with proper nutrition. As the food insecurity crisis remains at a critical level, this grant provides much-needed support by directly funding The Light House food program’s hunger relief efforts.
“Since the start of the pandemic, the demand for our Light House food programs has almost doubled,” stated Heather Cassity, Executive Director at The Light House. “Alongside this dramatic increase, we historically see a 10-20% increase in meal program participants once children are out of school during the summer months. The Light House is dedicated to providing healthy and fresh meals to every food insecure neighbor who comes through our doors, and this funding from our friends at Safeway Foundation is vital during these summer months. We are deeply grateful for their continued support as we work together to fight hunger in our community.”
Last year alone, The Light House served over 83,000 meals and distributed 270,000 pounds of perishable and non-perishable food to individuals and families in Anne Arundel County. Their many homelessness prevention and support programs also provided emergency shelter, clothing, case management, and other vital services to thousands of community members in need.
Food insecurity increased dramatically during the start of the pandemic and has continued to remain at higher-than-normal levels in many communities nationwide. Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors initiative aims to fight hunger by helping keep food banks stocked, supporting meal distribution programs at schools, and supporting programs that provide food to seniors.
