• Looking to get involved?

    Volunteers make the backbone of our food pantry. You can make a difference!

  • We need your help!

    Many in our community need access to basic provisions and personal items

    In Maryland 6 of the 10 counties with the highest poverty rates are on the Eastern Shore. The overall poverty rate in Caroline County is 14.9%, with a childhood poverty rate of 12.1%. Each month about 300 families come to Martin’s House and Barn because they need food.

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    Why a food drive? Food drives provide the opportunity to work toward a common goal. Martin’s House and Barn encourages churches, local organizations, friends, businesses, or even bridge clubs to collect the family friendly foods on our most needed list. Running a food drive means that you care about your neighbors! Help us fight poverty here on the shore.

  • Your Time, Our Community

    Even a few hours could help stock food and serve those in need. You could also run a food drive... here are some tips

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    Select your Group

    Think of a group that you belong to that would be interested. The group can be anything you want – your golf buddies, your church, your 10 best friends, people you work with, your child’s homeroom or scout troop. A drive can be as simple as everyone in the group decides to bring the items to the next get together -- or as big as you think you can handle!

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    Talk to Us

    Sometimes we really need cereal and sometimes we don’t. Please call to ask for what we'd like at that particular time. Also, please try and focus on one or two foods, since we want to be able to put that food in 300 boxes for the month. All donations, of any size are welcome. This helps us to ensure we keep the necessary stocks of the right items to ensure we can feed those in need.

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    Make your drive known!

    Once you have determined what to collect let everyone in your group know about your food drive. Set a goal so that your group knows what items to focus on and then socialize the drive. Social Media, websites, word-of-mouth and fliers are all excellent and effective ways to ensure you let everyone in your community or circle know about the drive and what's needed.

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    Setup a Drop Off Point

    Establish a collection place/time/location. Have boxes for the items to be placed in. Be sure to place a time limit on the effort – a weekend, two meetings – whatever is appropriate for the group. Be sure to include this information in your marketing so everyone knows the deadlines and when boxes will be available for collection. This will help to ensure no items get left behind!

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    Bring your Donations to Martin's House and Barn

    Let us know when you want to bring the food to Martin’s House and Barn so we can thank you appropriately and get a good picture! Get in touch with us by calling or email if you have any questions or concerns about the process. We are very thankful for your efforts and will gladly help out.

  • Please help thank our in-kind donors

     

    Please Help Thank Our In-Kind Donors

     

     

    These businesses and individuals understand the power of transformation as our clients work their way out of homelessness and help forward our mission. 

    Please help us thank them by supporting their businesses. 

     
    Want to make a big difference in the lives of individuals and families working their way out of homelessness? Please contact Shelter Manager Gabrilla Moreland at GMoreland@mhandb.org

  • How It Works

    It's easy to make a difference!

    1

    Advertise

    Figure out which donations are needed and socialize your drive within the community.

    2

    Collect

    When the time comes, collect and organize the incoming donations in boxes.

    3

    Deliver

    Bring the collected goods to us and we'll ensure they get shelved and handed out to those in need!

  • Needed Items

    Most foods are welcome, here's a list of the most important

    Food Items

    Canned or packaged tuna fish

     

    Peanut butter (and jelly)

     

    Canned soups

     

    Canned fruit (single serving packages are good for older clients and for children’s lunches or snacks)

     

    Packaged pasta

     

    Tomato sauce (cans or plastic jars, no glass jars please)

     

    Mac’n cheese

     

    Packaged rice mixes

     

    Beans (dry or canned)

     

    Cereal (low sugar please)

    Hygiene Items

    Shampoo

     

    Soap

     

    Toothpaste

     

    Toothbrush

     

    Deodorant

     

     

    Non-Accepted Items

    Beverages — no soda, sports drinks or energy drinks, nothing in glass bottles

     

    Prepared or cooked foods — nothing home cooked or left over from a dinner or event

     

    Refrigerated foods – no salads such as potato or chicken salad; nothing past a “Use BY” date

     

    Baby foods – nothing past expiration date

     

    Damaged packaging – cans, boxes or other paperboard packages with dents, rips, tears, dirt, rust or other forms of damage to the packagingBulk Items – no restaurant pack staples or large size cans (No. 10 or 3 quart size)

     

     

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