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Food banks, partner pantries urge council to retain $2.131 million in FY26 funding amid rising need
Summary
Multiple food bank leaders and partner pantry volunteers testified during the FY26 budget hearing asking the council to keep intact $2,131,892 in county support for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, citing millions of pounds of food distributed, growing client numbers and gaps in federal assistance.
Leah Paley, chief executive officer of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, and a series of partner pantry volunteers and board members told the County Council on May 14 that continued county funding is essential to maintain current services as food prices rise and federal programs contract.
Paley asked the council to "leave intact the $2,131,892 in financial support for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank" included in the FY26 proposal. She said that, working with network partners, the food bank distributed 4.1 million pounds of food and essentials last year and that the network averages more…
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