Bowie's Interfaith Food Pantry Needs Donations

Just before Christmas season, the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion Auxiliary (Disney-Bell Post 66) both made large donations to the Bowie Interfaith Pantry, the city’s primary location for families in distress to receive emergency food.

Debbie Langdon, food pantry director, said she is extremely grateful for the donations, also saying that the sophomore class at recently made a large donation.

But just as important to note, said Langdon, is that while Christmas season may be over, the need for more donations is constant because the number of people in the Bowie area in financial distress and requiring food assistance has grown greatly and continues to grow.

As an example, last December the food pantry helped 133 families. This December, that number has risen to 220, she said. Some come only one time; others are regulars and come monthly.

“You’d be amazed how quickly our shelves become bare,” Landon said. “For the first time ever, we had lines out the door this month. It’s gratifying that we can help this many people, but in this economic climate, we always need more donations.”

Donations may be dropped off at the food pantry itself, which is located in the Education Building behind the Christian Community Presbyterian Church at 3120 Belair Dr. The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-11 a.m. and the second Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m.  

Other places to drop off donations include:

• Bowie Interfaith Pantry
• Bowie Gymnasium
• Bowie Library
• Bowie Senior Center
• Christian Community Presbyterian Church Narthex
• Every Second Counts Boutique in Hilltop Shopping Center
• Kenhill Center
• Long and Foster (Now in Crofton)
• PNC Bank (Route 450 and Stonybrook Drive)