MDOT Fuels Road to Opportunity for Families in Need During Food Drive

(October 4, 2017) – The Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore welcomed a caravan of vehicles yesterday from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), packed with 35,818 pounds of food and donations equating to 29,848 meals. The caravan included MDOT vehicles from all transportation business units, including the secretary’s office, State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), and Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).

Combined with food donations on the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland, the caravan carried donations of canned goods, cereals and other needed food items gathered as part of Operation Orange, an annual partnership between MDOT and the Maryland Food Bank each September, Hunger Action Month.

“For six consecutive years, MDOT has helped to donate over 170,000 pounds of food to help to put food on the plates of Maryland families; and we appreciate our customers and all our MDOT team members for their generous donations,” said MDOT Secretary Pete Rahn.

Throughout September MDOT collected donations at more than 90 locations across the state from employees and customers. An online fundraising option added to the food drive’s success, allowing supporters to give a monetary contribution directly to the Maryland Food Bank as part of Operation Orange.

“We are very thankful for MDOT’s efforts to collect food donations this Hunger Action Month, as well as their willingness to shine a spotlight on the fact that one in nine Marylanders don’t always know where their next meal may come from,” said Maryland Food Bank President & CEO Carmen Del Guercio. “We appreciate each and every one who contributed to this year’s Operation Orange campaign, particularly the men and women at MDOT who recognize that partnerships like this help move us one step closer toward meeting our goal to end hunger in Maryland.”

Food donations were delivered this week to the Western Maryland Food Bank in Cumberland, the Southern Maryland Food Bank in Waldorf and branch locations of the Maryland Food Bank located in Hagerstown and Salisbury.  Collected food donations remain in the area, benefitting local families.

“MDOT is proud to support the good work of the Maryland Food Bank,” said MDOT SHA Administrator and Operation Orange Chairman Greg Slater.  “In transportation, we touch lives every day. The Operation Orange food drive is another way that we are touching and improving the lives of Marylanders. My personal thanks to all those who donated and supported this year’s drive.”

Yesterday’s weigh in marked the success of Operation Orange activities, which are featured in the Maryland Food Bank’s Be a Voice Campaign, an interactive, online multimedia collaboration to share stories, volunteer, and donate food and funds — all to help end hunger in Maryland.