Community Resources

This page will be updated periodically with community resources as we are made aware of them. Please feel free to send any resources you are aware of to Kimberly_D_Haden@mcpsmd.org

Additional Support from Rachel Carson Staff members:

Christine Zervos, School Counselor - Christine_L_Zervos@mcpsmd.org

Shannon Jones, School Counselor - Shannon_Jones@mcpsmd.org

David Early, Pupil Personnel Worker - David_E_Earley@mcpsmd.org

If you were affected by the federal shutdown, food and nutrition resources remain available across Montgomery County.

Find local food assistance sites, SNAP updates, and ways to get help from our partners and County programs: https://ow.ly/a5bf50XunMR

No one in our community should go hungry. Help is available.

Students directly certified for free meals under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue to receive meal benefits for the rest of the 2025-2026 school year. Students newly eligible for SNAP benefits when their applications are processed will also qualify for free school meals this school year. Parents/guardians who are furloughed can apply for Free and Reduced-price Meals for their children here. Read more.

• Calendar of food distributions
• Getting food near you
• Meals for children
• Meals for older adults
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (once known as Food Stamps)
• Women Infants and Children (WIC)
• Service Consolidation Hubs
• Prepared meals
• Meal delivery
• Grocery delivery
• Food providers who can deliver
• Donations and Volunteering

Montgomery County offers a wide network of food assistance resources, including:

• OFSR’s Food Assistance Flowchart: Available in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, and Vietnamese.
• Food Assistance Resouces Map: An interactive, searchable directory of 100+ food distribution sites across the County, with filters for location, accessibility, and type of assistance.
• Montgomery County Food Resources Page: A comprehensive hub with details on food distributions, meal delivery services, and SNAP enrollment, including an updated calendar of food distributions.
• OFSR Programs: OFSR has a number of programs that would be valuable referral partners, including Nutrition Benefits Outreach and Food as Medicine grantee organizations.
• Capital Area Food Bank Distributions: Free, weekly distributions for federal workers and contractors.
• FARMS applications: All meals are free for students who qualify for Free and Reduced-price Meals. New enrollments are accepted at any time for families experiencing a change in income.
• SUN Bucks: Although SUN Bucks applications are closed, unused SUN Bucks benefits start to expire in October. Make sure to check card balances and utilize benefits before it’s too late!
• 311: Call 311 for non-emergency county services, including help locating food assistance. Other important phone numbers:​​
• Montgomery County Food Council Food Resource Specialists: 301 818-3614
• Montgomery County DHHS Navigation Team: (240) 773-8265​​

If you are interested in learning more about available resources, please reach out to OFSR@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The MC Groceries Program helps families access fresh and shelf-stable food items through a convenient online shopping experience. Families can place their orders online and have their groceries delivered or picked up through a partnership with Instacart Fresh Funds. Eligible households may receive $100 in benefits per month for each eligible child 0-18 years old, up to $400.

If you are in need of immediate food assistance, please call (301) 818-3614 or fill out our Referral Form, and a Food Resource Specialist will get in touch to assist you. MCFC’s trained, bilingual Food Resource Specialists can assist residents with accessing food assistance, nutrition benefit programs, and referrals to essential services. You can also visit MCFC’s Food Assistance Resource Map to view food pantries near you.

More Information

Call our SNAP Hotline (301) 818-3614 or fill out our SNAP Referral Form and a Food Resource Specialist will get in touch to assist you.

More information

Distribution events are every other Saturday at 2 Teachers Way Gaithersburg MD 20877. Here are the upcoming dates this year:

December 13th

It is organized to distribute food directly to vehicles. They are able to serve up to two families per vehicle, provided that a representative from each family is present. While individuals may arrive without a car, this is not recommended, as they will need to wait until the conclusion of the event to receive a food box, and supplies are often depleted by that time

To pick up food, you don't need to register; just line up in a vehicle. It is recommended that you arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 am.

The Upcounty Hub holds 3 public distributions every week at one of six locations.

The monthly distribution calendar can be found on this page both as .pdf and .png formats.

**Please look carefully at the times as some have changed for the month of November.

​

The Upcounty Hub tiene 3 distribuciones públicas cada semana en uno de 6 lugares.

Aqui en esta pagina buscar los calendarios de cada mes en forma de .pdf y .png.

**Mire atentamente los horarios, ya que algunos han cambiado para el mes de noviembre.

The Capital Area Food Bank is committed to providing food for neighbors in need, throughout the year and in unexpected moments of economic hardship. More information.

We partner with other organizations in the community to provide complete care to those who seek our help. We welcome Montgomery County residents to walk in and let us work with you.

We offer:

• Case management, crisis intervention and referral services
• Choice Food Pantry
• Mobile market (produce distribution)
• Clothing, shoes and diapers
• Parent education and empowerment group (Abriendo Puertas)
• Financial education classes
• Rent, mortgage and utility assistance
• Financial assistance for single mothers with cancer
• Immigration Legal Services
• Services for pregnant women
• Neighborhood Service Center (in partnership with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and IMPACT Silver Spring): Clients may walk in on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with staff from DHHS to complete applications for benefits and financial assistance programs including food stamps, Temporary Cash Assistance, childcare subsidy, rent/mortgage/utility assistance and health care.

more information

Mobilize Montgomery is a collaboration that brings together state and local governments and private sector partners in Montgomery County, Maryland, including: The Montgomery County Government, the Maryland Department of Labor, WorkSource Montgomery, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Rockville Economic Development Incorporated, City of Rockville, City of Gaithersburg, the City of Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic Development, the Maryland Women’s Business Center, Montgomery County African American Chamber of Commerce, the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and local chambers of commerce for Rockville, Olney, Greater Silver Spring, Greater Bethesda, and Gaithersburg-Germantown. Launched in March 2025, Mobilize Montgomery was created to provide streamlined support, connecting employers and employees to financial assistance, workforce programs, and business continuity resources.

The State of Maryland is offering $700 interest-free loans to furloughed or unpaid federal employees through its Resources for Federal Workers initiative.
More information.

Furloughed federal employees can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) through the Maryland Department of Labor.
More information.

Federal workers who can’t pay rent or mortgages during the shutdown are protected from eviction if they meet eligibility criteria.
More information.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) is waiving late fees and halting service shutoffs for affected federal workers.
More information.

• Montgomery County Residents may call the shelter directly at 240-773-5900 or send an email.
• Montgomery County Humane Society Pet Food Pantry
• St. Stephen's Pantry (Silver Spring) - MCPAW & MCASAC pet food distribution every 1st and 3rd Saturday.
• Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County Chompers Pet Food Bank
• Love Paws Pet Food Pantry (Ridgely) - Pet Food Distribution and Delivery

MCPS schools are and will always remain safe places where every child — regardless of immigration status — is welcomed, valued, affirmed, validated, respected and loved. MCPS has distributed guidance to school staff on protocol in the event immigration officers come to school. The district is now providing further guidance to assist staff and other adults who support extracurricular activities, such as clubs, childcare and athletics. Read more.

Talking with kids about ICE:

• English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C15-M1bwy2Chfi9JpH6KChd680jR4QbN/view?usp=sharing
• Spanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15xKhw8b8eEpqBfQ8DwHkJ4dU7raJHzIx/view?usp=sharing

What to do when a family member is detained by ICE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-dRSQklnMzmD278sL4oZKBBAuD0mwXcR/view?usp=sharing

Know your rights:

• English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKnegHGP25FnR1QHCGwPbGS9IvHuoAmL/view?usp=sharing
• Spanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d50vrPG7t_NHMNIt1GNkyJVRWax0Zpl5/view?usp=sharing
• French: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LcA8R4S3TKowLOVV2j-kXr3ZcCElXHum/view?usp=sharing

Bilingual (Spanish/English) presentation to introduce families to planning in case of possible detention or deportation:

https://standbyguardian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Family-Safety-Presentation-Sp-Final.pdf

Video explaining the Maryland Standby Guardianship Law:

Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSqXvR592aw&t=18s

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwvar8RZk9A

Clear explanation of the full process, from planning to implementation of a Standby Guardian:

Spanish: https://standbyguardian.org/calendario-a-seguir/?lang=es

English: https://standbyguardian.org/steps-to-take/timeline/

Free (pro bono) assistance to complete the Standby Guardianship form:

https://standbyguardian.org/services/pro-bono-referral-resources/

Standby Guardianship form (English):

https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccgn041.pdf

Bilingual form (English/Spanish)

(Note: the form must be completed in English, even when using the bilingual version):

https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccgn041bls.pdf

Forms are also available in other languages at the bottom of this page:

https://standbyguardian.org/

Montgomery County Pro Bono Bar Foundation:

https://barmont.org/page/116

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service:

https://mvlslaw.org/free-legal-help/eligibility/

CASA Private Immigration Attorney list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xGMAcqYoAfG-7iDKPEh_mChEDis5uJhm/view?usp=sharing

Links to Immigration Attorney Directories: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qx-TJ32W2tA-9QlCplWzRxCpzdggQt6KNrEna_RYJlY/edit?usp=sharing

Emergency Preparedness Resource Guide for Immigrant Families

This guide is designed to help families prepare as best as possible in the event of detention. It acknowledges the increase in immigration enforcement activity and provides recommendations for proactive planning. Topics include:

• understanding rights during encounters with immigration enforcement
• financial and medical planning
• guidance for planning for children, including power of attorney options, childcare arrangements, securing important documents, communication with schools, and talking with children about preparations

Immigrant Family Emergency Planning English

Immigrant Family Emergency Planning Spanish

Immigrant Family Emergency Planning French

Community Immigration Resources & Support

This document provides a comprehensive list of local organizations offering:

• immigration legal assistance

• rental and utility support

• food distribution

• health and mental health services

• shelter access

• employment programs

Immigration Resources and Support English

Immigration Resources and Support Spanish

Immigration Resources and Support French

The Crisis Center provides free crisis services 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. Services are provided by telephone (240-777-4000) or in person at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville (no appointment needed). Mobile Crisis and Outreach Teams (MCOTs) provides emergency crisis evaluations for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Full crisis assessments and treatment referrals are provided for all crises, including psychiatric, substance use related, and situational. In addition, the Center has a Crisis Stabilization Unit and a Residential Crisis Services (RCS) program that provide alternatives to hospitalization for adults. The Crisis Stabilization Unit includes four recliners available for all county residents. RCS beds are reserved for those who are uninsured or are insured within the public behavioral health system.

More Information

Email: Mindy_D_Reeves@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rachelcarsones/
Location: 100 Tschiffely Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1840
Twitter: @RCESPrincipal