Sen. Chris Van Hollen to Announce $750,000 Federal Investment at So What Else Food Rescue Bank on April 18

Bethesda, Maryland — April 8, 2026 — So What Else will welcome Senator Chris Van Hollen and a representative from the office of Senator Angela Alsobrooks on Saturday, April 18, 2026, to announce a $750,000 federal Congressionally Directed Spending award in support of its Food Rescue Bank. The announcement will take place during the organization’s Six-Year Anniversary Open House, bringing together community members, volunteers, partners, and elected officials from across the region.

This federal investment represents a critical step forward in strengthening the region’s food assistance infrastructure at a time when demand continues to rise. The funding will support the expansion of SWE’s food rescue and distribution efforts, enabling the organization to recover more surplus food, increase storage and operational capacity, and reach more families with consistent access to nutritious meals.

“This investment is not just about scaling operations. It’s about meeting a growing need in our communities with urgency, dignity, and care,” said Dave Silbert, Executive Director and Co-Founder of So What Else. “We are honored to receive this award that recognizes the importance of food access and long-term hunger relief solutions.”

Additional federal, state, and local elected officials and their staff are invited to attend and participate in the event, which will provide an opportunity to see firsthand the scale and impact of So What Else’s food rescue and distribution efforts.

The open house will take place during a regularly scheduled food distribution and will include opportunities to engage with volunteers, meet families served, and tour the Food Rescue Bank.

Event Details

Saturday, April 18, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (volunteer shifts available 7am-3pm)
So What Else Food Rescue Bank – 4924 Wyaconda Rd., North Bethesda, MD 20852

Formal welcome remarks, including the federal funding announcement, a guided tour, Q&A and Volunteer Appreciation Lunch will begin at 10:45 a.m. Ample parking is available free of charge.

Sign up here.

About So What Else

So What Else (SWE) is a 501(c)(3) serving the DC-Maryland region with hunger relief, youth programming, and volunteer opportunities, delivering millions of meals and essential supplies annually to neighbors in need.