MDOT Fuels Road to Opportunity for Food-Insecure Families During September Food Drive; Locations Across Maryland Open Doors for Donations; Virtual Food Drive Also Available

(September 5, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced the start of Operation Orange Food Drive, a month-long event throughout September in support of the Maryland Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month.  Today MDOT business units, including the Secretary of Transportation’s Office, Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) and State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) begin collecting food from employees and customers at more than 100 locations throughout Maryland.

“Transportation is a central part of people’s lives every day. This partnership allows us to be a part of our communities in a different way,” said MDOT SHA Administrator and Operation Orange Chairman Greg Slater. “This is Marylanders helping Marylanders in need across the state.”

“Hunger Action Month is all about raising awareness around the issue of hunger in Maryland, and we’re grateful to partners like MDOT for shining a spotlight on this critical problem,” said Maryland Food Bank CEO & President Carmen Del Guercio.

“The Maryland Department of Transportation cares about our communities, and we are proud to partner with the Maryland Food Bank in Operation Orange during Hunger Action Month,” added Slater.  “During the six years that we’ve been involved, MDOT has collected over 170,000 pounds of food and we look forward to continuing this tradition of service.”   

The Maryland Food Bank reports that there are more than 682,000 Marylanders in need of food, 220,010 of which are children. Through efforts such as Operation Orange, meals are provided to thousands of individuals who suffer from hunger and food insecurity.

Operation Orange Food Drive drop offs include: the MDOT SHA Headquarters Complex and Shops, the Port of Baltimore, all MDTA Toll and EZ Pass facilities, all MVA VEIP and full-service locations, as well as BWI Thurgood Marshall International Airport. A full list of drop off locations is available here. Customers may also donate virtually by visiting here.

Special efforts include: MDOT Day of Service at the Food Bank on September 11, MDOT SHA’s Stuff a Truck events that will occur throughout the State at various locations, and MDOT MVA’s Stuff the Bus event on September 21. 

The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, leading the movement to end hunger throughout Maryland. For more than 35 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully-crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long term ways to reduce hunger statewide. Currently distributing more than 112,000 meals per day – more than 41 million meals annually – the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends. To learn more about the Maryland Food Bank, visit www.mdfoodbank.org.