Hungry Harvest on the Ground: Strengthening Community Connection
How Hungry Harvest is strengthening partnerships, expanding food access, and connecting families with community resources.
The Hungry Harvest Social Impact Department has been busy! Over the past few weeks our team has been out in the community strengthening existing partnerships, building new relationships, and exploring opportunities to expand our impact. From school-based food access programs to health care and social care forums, these engagements reflect Hungry Harvest’s commitment to working alongside community partners to connect individuals and families with the food and resources they need to thrive.
Bringing Food Access to Life at Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School
“By giving families the freedom to choose what they need in an open, accessible setup, Hungry Harvest is helping us reach far more households and making healthy eating simple and dignified for the entire Gladys Noon Spellman community.”
-Elegbe Kojo Nance (Brother Nance), Community Schools Coordinator at Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School, sharing how partnering with Hungry Harvest has helped transform the school's approach to food access.
Hungry Harvest is proud to partner with Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School to expand access to fresh, healthy food for local families. On October 3, our SID team saw this partnership in action at the first of 22 Community Farmers Markets the school plans to host.
Through this initiative families can access free produce and groceries on the first and third Saturdays of each month through next summer. The market style builds on the school's vision of creating a welcoming community gathering place where families can access food with greater choice and dignity.
Previously, the school's produce box distribution was capped at 178 families. The market model offers an opportunity to reach more households and give families greater flexibility in selecting the foods they need.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, Hungry Harvest works to expand access to fresh food and connect families with resources that support their well-being.
Connecting Healthcare and Community Resources in Prince George's County with CareFirst
On September 22, our team joined CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield at its Prince George's County Healthcare Forum. The event provided an opportunity to highlight our partnership with CareFirst, reconnect with community partners, and hear from local leaders working to strengthen health and opportunity across the county.
Speakers represented the Prince George's County Executive's Office, Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility, Prince George's Community College, and Children's National.
The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration among employers, educators, health care organizations, and community leaders. For Hungry Harvest, these connections create opportunities to explore how partnerships can expand food access and connect residents with resources that support healthier communities.
Strength Strengthening Collaboration at The DMV Social Care Summit with FindHelp
On September 23, our team attended the DMV Social Care Summit, hosted by FindHelp. The summit brought together leaders from health care, government, nonprofits, universities, and community organizations to discuss ways to improve how individuals and families connect with essential resources.
Discussions explored how collaboration, shared data, and coordination across agencies can help organizations better identify community needs and connect people with support more efficiently.
Our team welcomed the opportunity to connect with partners, learn about emerging approaches to social care, and explore opportunities for collaboration. As community needs and public benefit programs evolve, strong partnerships remain essential to helping families access the resources they need.
Hungry Harvest Continues to Work with You and for Our Community
Hungry Harvest believes strong partnerships are essential to building healthier, more connected communities. Through our work with schools, health care providers, and community organizations, we strive to expand food access and connect individuals and families with resources that support their well-being.
Interested in partnering with Hungry Harvest to support your school families, patients, clients, or community? Our Social Impact Department would love to explore how we can work together to meet your community's needs.
Contact socialimpact@hungryharvest.net to start the conversation. We look forward to working with you!