Maryland Volunteers Rally to Feed Families in Need

When volunteers stream into a packed donation center in Hyattsville, Maryland each week, their mission is simple: make sure no neighbor goes hungry.

Rt. 1 Mutual Aid has transformed from a small response team into a bustling community hub, where hundreds of brown bags filled with produce and canned goods line the walls. Joyful chatter fills the hallways as volunteers bond over their shared purpose.

Co-founders Stephanie DeLorenzo and Trish Roberts launched the group in October during a government shutdown when food assistance benefits were cut. But even after the shutdown ended, they discovered the community's need was still urgent.

"Our immigrant neighbors are still going to have this issue of being scared to go to the grocery store," DeLorenzo explained. Some families have had their cars detained, making it impossible to access food on their own.

The organization partners with immigrant rights groups to reach families directly impacted by immigration enforcement actions. This includes teenagers who suddenly became legal guardians of younger siblings after parents were detained.

"They're neighbors," Roberts said, tears welling in her eyes as she described packing groceries for these vulnerable families.

To handle rapid growth, the founders created a "porch ambassadors" program that turns homes, workplaces and community spaces into convenient donation drop-off points. Ambassadors collect items weekly and deliver them to the main center.

Grace Hayden, a 23-year-old University of Maryland student, has volunteered since day one through her church partnership with St. Camillus in Silver Spring. "We've helped people get back to their families," she said. "Not to be cliche, but it helps me sleep at night."

Anne O'Donnell, 62, moved back to Prince George's County two years ago and immediately felt called to help. As a core volunteer, she focuses on the small details like labeling overstuffed shelves to make drop-offs smoother.

"People are hungry to help," O'Donnell said with a smile. "People are hungry. And people are hungry to help."

The Ripple Effect

The initiative brings together community members across all ages and backgrounds, creating connections that didn't exist before. Volunteers discover they have more in common with their neighbors than they realized, breaking down barriers while filling critical gaps in food access.

Roberts remains astonished by the outpouring of support. "There's this whole community of people I didn't know existed!"

What started as an emergency response has become a lasting testament to what neighbors can accomplish together.