Help Kent County Food Pantry feed families in need.

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Let’s get together to end hunger.

Are you seeking food for yourself, your family, a neighbor, co-worker or friend?

410-778-0550

If you are in immediate need of food, contact Social Services, 350 High Street, Chestertown, 410-810-7600, or call the Pantry 410-778-0550. You can stop by the Pantry any time when open.

We are located in downtown Chestertown, Maryland, on the corner of High and Mill Streets, at Christ United Methodist Church. Enter at the Mill Street entrance.

The Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 12 noon and the second Wednesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon.

Our mailing address is P.O. Box 346, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.

Meet our amazing volunteers

Last year, individuals, volunteers from school and church groups, corporations, civic and youth organizations and more, took time to help us with thousands of hours of volunteer their time.

Without this tremendous contribution, our hungry neighbors would not receive the food they need.

Convenient for your schedule

  • Unloading deliveries
  • Assisting clients by loading their food carts
  • Sorting and stocking food donations
  • Assisting with mailings
  • Volunteering with community fundraisers
  • Packing weekend backpacks of food for students

Not ready to register or want more information? Contact us

What We Do…

The Kent County Food Pantry provides supplemental food to persons with limited incomes. The Pantry’s goal is to ensure that all qualified clients in Kent County receive sufficient non-perishable food to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Eligibility is determined by Kent County’s Departent of Social Services, by local clergy, schools, law enforcement, and other caring individuals in the County.

If possible, please bring a written statement showing your need for food. The Kent County Food Pantry will provide food and give you a list of other food assistance options in your community, as well as other information you need to access food for you and your family.

If you need food, come to the Pantry Tuesday and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon, or the second Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. until noon.  If you do not have a referral, come to the Pantry and obtain your food.  You may bring your referral on your next visit.

A referral voucher can be obtained at the Kent County Department of Social Services (350 High Street in Chestertown) across from the Pantry.

Bring the voucher to The Food Pantry where you will meet our Program Director.  This voucher allows you to receive 60 to 80 pounds or more of food depending on your family size.

Who We Serve

What We Give

  • Residents of all ages living in Kent County
  • People with disabilities
  • Low income elderly
  • Children in low-income households
  • Families with part-time or low paying jobs
  • Unemployed men and women

A qualifying family will receive three or more bags each month.

Each Pantry bag includes plenty of non-perishable foods and everyday items needed by all. items such as:  toilet paper, soap, toothpaste and other personal products.

Supporters

 
Board Members
Susan Basener

Board Chair

Miriam Greenlee

Program Director

Jim Gribble

Treasurer

Jim Harbeson

Treasury Auditor

Joe
Baker

Purchasing Manager

Sue Caswell

Backpack Program

Diana Georgeson

Backpack Program

Marti Hawkins

Community Support

Jim Landskroener

Secretary

Margie Baker

Volunteers

David Menzie

Community Support

Marilyn Parks

Community Support

Rachel Perry Panas

Social Media

Contact us

Please let us know if you have any questions. We’d love to hear from you.

“Dickens of a Christmas 2017” Benefits the Pantry

The organizers of this delightful family event December 1st through the 3rd in Chestertown chose to donate the proceeds of this event to the Food Pantry.

A special thanks to Kay MacIntosh, Economic Development & Marketing Coordinator of Chestertown’s Arts and Entertainment District, and all the volunteers who made this generous donation possible.

Flanking the Walking Christmas Tree in the photo are two Pantry volunteers, accepting donations for the opportunity to hang a bell on the tree!

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Chestertown’s first “Dickens of a Christmas” event

With “A Christmas Carol,”  Charles Dickens captured the Victorian revival of the holiday and helped establish our modern observance: family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, games, dancing, and festive generosity of spirit!

Now, you can recapture the fun and spirit of Dickens’ London as historic Chestertown, Maryland presents “A Dickens of a Christmas”,  December 1-3, 2017.

Our charming downtown district will offer Victorian-themed food and entertainment to get everyone into the holiday spirit.  Proceeds from many ticketed events will benefit the local food pantry.

On Friday evening, you can join an extra festive First Friday. Shops and galleries will offer complimentary snacks and beverages.

Saturday’s fun continues with nonstop music and performances from 10 am to 9 pm.

On Sunday morning, you can “Run Like the Dickens” in our 5k race through town and enter the kids in the “Dickens Dash” fun run.

Don’t be left out of the fun! Bring your friends and family.

 

Learn more at Everything Dickens!

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Ferris Foundation Supports Backpack Program

The Carl and Constance Ferris Charitable Foundation has once again generously honored our work with the Backpack Programs in Kent County. The Food Pantry received a $20,000 donation to be used to purchase food for the 295 Kent County Public School students presently receiving weekend “Backpack” food.

For fiscal year 2017, the Food Pantry purchased over $28,000 of food to assist the four local programs serving our schools – Galena, Garnet, and Rock Hall Elementary Schools, and Kent County Middle School.. This charitable gift therefore makes a huge contribution towards enabling the Pantry to continue our mission of helping children who live with food insecurity.

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The 8th Annual Empty Bowls

The 8th annual Empty Bowls event was held on April 11 at First Methodist Church in Chestertown. All proceeds from the evening are donated to the work of Community Food Pantry. Dedicated potters from RiverArts Clay Studio created beautiful bowls. Everyone…

SOUP-ER BOWL 2018

The annual Soup-er Bowl Event at Kent County High School, an Empty Bowls Project, is scheduled for Thursday, March 15, 4:30-7:00 at Kent County High School. It is presented by the Art Honor Society students and the art department under the…

The 8th Annual Empty Bowls (Event Notice)

The 8th annual Empty Bowls will take place on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, 105 N. Mill Street. Chestertown RiverArts Clay Studio hosts this popular community event that raises funds for the Kent County Food Pantry.…

"Dickens of a Christmas 2017” Benefits the Pantry

The organizers of this delightful family event December 1st through the 3rd in Chestertown chose to donate the proceeds of this event to the Food Pantry. A special thanks to Kay MacIntosh, Economic Development & Marketing Coordinator…

Chestertown’s first “Dickens of a Christmas” event

With “A Christmas Carol,”  Charles Dickens captured the Victorian revival of the holiday and helped establish our modern observance: family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, games, dancing, and festive generosity of spirit! Now,…

Ferris Foundation Supports Backpack Program

The Carl and Constance Ferris Charitable Foundation has once again generously honored our work with the Backpack Programs in Kent County. The Food Pantry received a $20,000 donation to be used to purchase food for the 295 Kent County Public…

Chester Gras and Mardi Gras Dance Party Benefits Backpack Programs

For the fifth year in a row, Peoples Bank and many generous local sponsors, have put their energy, staff, and finances behind Chester Gras, a Mardi Gras celebration that benefits our backpack programs. On February 10, 2018, rainy winter weather…

The Backpack Program

Beginning in 2007, concerned citizens in Kent County at the grass roots level recognized the fact that a large number of our children live in homes where there is insufficient food, and as a result, local backpack programs emerged. The Backpack…

A Season of Giving

The Community Food Pantry’s Annual Appeal has once again provided funding needed to purchase food for our families in the coming year. The faithful support of our annual givers is most appreciated, and we are so grateful for the donors who…