Did You Know? So What Else is Making a Big Impact

For Immediate Release

Rockville, MD – April 3, 2025 – The So What Else Food Rescue Bank, one of Maryland’s largest food banks, is on a mission to combat food insecurity and reduce food waste, making an incredible impact in the community. Since its inception, the organization has worked tirelessly to support those in need and help ensure that no one goes hungry.

Here are some key statistics showcasing the impressive efforts of the So What Else Food Rescue Bank:

105 million pounds of food distributed since March 2020.
2 million pounds of apples distributed in the fall of 2023 alone.
175 partner organizations benefiting from the food bank’s support.
115,000 food home deliveries made in just 5 years.
902,000 pounds of grapes distributed since January.
During the week of February 13-19, the food bank successfully recovered an impressive 813,000 pounds of food in just one week.

The numbers are staggering, but the need is even greater. In Montgomery County, Maryland alone, approximately 97,000 tons of food are thrown away each year, contributing to an alarming 30-40% of the total food supply being wasted. This is enough food to feed 3 billion people.

The So What Else Food Rescue Bank works tirelessly to recover this excess food and deliver it to those who need it most. Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, it costs just $200 to feed one person for an entire year, providing them with 1,095 meals—that’s just 20 cents per meal.

A donation of $1,000 can feed a family of five every meal for an entire year, making an incredible difference in the lives of those who struggle to make ends meet.

Demand is quickly outpacing our current capacity, and with your support, we can expand our ability to serve those in need. There is a wealth of recovered food available, but we need funding to build the necessary infrastructure to rescue even more. Our team urgently requires support in the form of trucks, forklifts, additional storage space, and more staff to continue our mission and meet the growing demand.

We invite you to celebrate five years of the So What Else Food Rescue Program at our 5th Anniversary Event on April 12, 2025. Come learn more about our impact, meet the team, and find out how you can be part of the solution to end hunger in our community. Together, we can rescue more food, serve more families, and fight food insecurity—one meal at a time. Get more information about the event and RSVP here.

For press inquiries or additional information, please contact:

May Nash
HR & Outreach Director
301-252-1501
mnash@sowhatelse.org
sowhatelse.org