For Montgomery County Food Bank, fighting hunger has been about more than putting food on the table. It is about creating breathing room for families, supporting neighbors through hard seasons, and strengthening a network of organizations working to care for their community.
Jay Martin, marketing and communications manager, joined the food bank in January 2025 after initially helping with communications during the holidays. With a journalism background, he found a natural connection between his work and the mission of serving others.
That mission matters because food insecurity does not always look the way people expect.
Many neighbors seeking assistance are working, raising families, and doing everything they can to stay afloat. But when groceries, housing, and other expenses rise, one unexpected car repair or home expense can turn a manageable month into a difficult one.
Montgomery County Food Bank helps fill that gap right here at home.
Rather than distributing food directly from its warehouse, the organization works through nearly 100 partner agencies, including churches, nonprofits, and community organizations. Those partners bring food to the people they serve through pantries, mobile distributions, and other programs.
In 2025, the food bank welcomed more than 9,000 volunteers and averaged roughly 90,000 visits for assistance each month.
For Martin, those partnerships are a reason for gratitude every day.
“We really couldn’t do what we do without those partner agencies,” he says. “Our mission is to unite the community to fight hunger.”
That collaboration allows organizations serving vulnerable populations to focus on their broader missions while the food bank helps provide the food they need.
The need remains. According to Martin, approximately 120,000 Montgomery County neighbors are food insecure. Hunger might affect the family down the street, someone sitting in church, or a child who leaves school Friday unsure of when the next meal will come.
Programs like the Backpack Food Program help bridge that gap by sending children home with easy-to-prepare meals and fresh produce for the weekend.
As the holidays approach, the community can help through food and fund drives, volunteering, or financial donations. The food bank’s purchasing power allows donated dollars to stretch further, while volunteers help inspect, sort, and prepare food for distribution.
In a season of thankfulness, Montgomery County Food Bank offers a reminder that gratitude can become action.
A meal can nourish someone for a day, but compassion, partnership, and community can offer something even greater—hope.