The So What Else walk-up food pantry at 4924 Wyaconda Road, North Bethesda, MD is a place where individuals can receive free food in person. The walk-up food pantry is open Monday through Friday.
You MUST make an appointment to receive food at the walk-up food pantry. You will NOT receive food without an appointment.
Each adult who wishes to receive food must have their own separate appointment. Example: 4 adults must make 4 separate appointments.
What is the age requirement to receive food assistance?
You must be at least 18 years of age. We require proof of identification.
For security reasons, we cannot offer food assistance to children under the age of 18.
Do you offer food appointments on other days?
Yes, we offer drive-up food appointments on Saturdays. For more information about Saturday (Drive-Up) appointments, visit our FAQ page. Click here to make a Saturday drive-up appointment.
Saturdays generally have longer wait-times and tend to book up faster than weekdays. We highly recommend you book a weekday appointment, if possible. Book a Weekday appointment here.
What do I need to bring to my food appointment?
You must present 1 form of identification with your full name and birthdate, such as: a driver’s license; passport (foreign passports accepted); foreign ID; State ID; ID issued by a local, city or nonprofit agency; or birth certificate.
It’s helpful if you can provide the number of people in your household for our records.
You must arrive no earlier or later than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Our parking lot is small, and arriving 15 minutes early helps us control traffic. If you arrive too early, please park on a side street and do not block the main road.
Please wait in line at the check-in desk at your scheduled time. We will serve clients in the order of the appointment schedule.
Please follow our rules to help us provide the best service for you and your family, be respectful of our neighbors, and avoid a shutdown of our operations.
What types of food do you provide?
We offer a variety of non-perishable items, fresh produce, dairy, and sometimes meat. The exact items may vary based on donations and availability.
Is there a cost for the food?
No, all food provided at the pantry is free.
How often can I visit the pantry?
You can visit the pantry NO MORE than once every 2 weeks to receive food assistance.You MUST make an appointment, or you will not receive food.
Multiple appointments by the same person within a two-week span will result in a cancelled appointment.
Can I make an appointment for a friend/family member?
Yes. Please provide all requested information for the individual in the booking page.
Can I make an appointment for the same time each week in advance?
You can only make an appointment once every two weeks. This helps is ensure equal access to our resources.
You can book an appointment 7 days in advance.
What are the operating hours?
Our Weekday walk-up food pantry is open for appointments:
Mondays: 8:30AM-3:30PM (closed 12-12:30PM)
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 8:30AM-4:30PM (closed 12-12:30PM)
Thursdays: 8:30AM-4:30PM (closed 12-1:30PM)
Fridays: 8AM-2:30PM (closed 12-12:30PM)
The Saturday drive-up pantry is open for appointments from 7am-1pm.
Please check our website or our social media for changes to the schedule. Our Social Media accounts are:
Our volunteers speak multiple languages and are happy to assist you in your preferred language. Please let us know if you need help communicating.
An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter is available at the pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30AM-4PM.
What safety measures are in place?
We follow all required and recommended safety protocols, including sanitation practices.
How can I get food if I’m unable to visit the pantry?
We offer a home delivery service for individuals who are unable to visit the pantry due to a disability or lack of transportation.
You will receive one bag of food every two weeks, the quantity and variety of which is subject to change based on supplies. This program is entirely volunteer-driven, so the days and times of your delivery are subject to change based on our volunteer capacity.
Due to high demand, you may be placed on a waitlist if you reside outside of our geographic zone. Please be patient as we take time to process your request.
To request enrollment in the home delivery program: Please email Megan Joe at mjoe@sowhatelse.org and include your name, address and phone number.
Can I volunteer at the pantry?
Absolutely! We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds. Volunteers must be at least 10 years old, and any child under the age of 15 must have parent or guardian supervision at all times. Please visit our volunteer sign-up page here.
