Emergency Food Response
Feeding Our Communities. Living our Values.
In early 2020, Pearlstone was on pace to engage a record number of program participants and hospitality guests.
The COVID-19 pandemic decimated our operations, while Baltimore experienced a sudden and drastic increase in the number of households facing food insecurity.
We recognized an opportunity to help.
Our team got to work as farmers redoubled their efforts to grow food, while our talented culinary team quickly retooled with investments in equipment and training. We implemented comprehensive public health precautions and new operational procedures.
Emergency Food Response efforts at Pearlstone:
- provide nourishing meals for food insecure communities across Baltimore
- Activate our Culinary Staff and Farmers
- Engage community volunteers
- support a range of partner nonprofit organizations
"...Each week we had these lovely homemade vegetarian soups delivered from the farm to table kitchen of the Pearlstone Center to hand out to the community at our pop-up markets..."
The Food Project
Impact Map – click to enlarge
Many thanks to our generous philanthropic supporters:
• The Associated Baltimore City Partnership Commission
• Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
• Zimmerman Fund for Children
• France-Merrick Foundation
• Herbert Bearman Foundation
• Nathan & Lillian Weinberg
• Meyerhoff Grandchildren’s Fund
…and many anonymous donors whose support has enabled us to do this work!
Amid a challenging year for staff and revenue, Pearlstone adopts new programs
“…During 2020, Pearlstone harvested and contributed more than 6,000 pounds of organic produce to Baltimore County’s emergency food efforts, which was sent to distribution centers run by the Baltimore County government, said Greg Strella, Pearlstone’s director of stewardship. Some of this produce has included tomatoes, peppers, kale and leafy greens, which were sent along distribution channels developed alongside Pearlstone partners…”
Baltimore Jewish Times | December 29, 2020 | Read the full story here.
Learn about our wonderful partners!
Baltimore Gift Economy
Bridging and Building Communities
We seek to show people, inclusive love, to teach people how to share even in the midst of challenge, to make them aware of the abundance that surrounds them, and to help them realize their gifts and talents and see the value they bring by sharing those gifts with others.
Black Yield Institute
Cultivating Self-Determination Through Black Land & Food Sovereignty
Black Yield Institute is a Pan-African power institution based in Baltimore, Maryland, serving as a think tank and collective action network that addresses food apartheid.
Student Support Network
Giving locally works right away in our communities
We improve the lives of Baltimore County students living in poverty by providing food, other basic necessities, and advocacy support. The Network partners with school staff to assist qualified students in need to improve their lives and support their education through the provision of food, clothing, educational supplies and other critical items.
Baltimore Station
We turn lives around
We are an innovative therapeutic residential and outpatient treatment program supporting veterans who are overcoming obstacles to regain self-sufficiency.
Jewish Community Services
Helping you live your best life
Jewish Community Services (JCS) is dedicated to providing programs and services that help people of all ages and backgrounds achieve their goals and enhance their wellbeing.
Promise Heights
Promise Heights began with a handshake
One principal, one school and now encompasses B’more for Healthy Babies and other cradle-to-early-childhood-to-career services, five community schools, and support for many other nonprofit programs in support of the Upton/Druid Heights community.
Maryland Food Bank
Feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders.
Leading the movement to end hunger in Maryland through an extensive network of community and organizational partners across the state that distribute food to the Marylanders who need us.
No Boundaries Coalition
Deconstructing Boundaries & Reconstructing Community
The Coalition mobilizes residents from seven different neighborhoods in 21217 to address racial and economic inequality in Baltimore City and improve the quality of life for Central West Baltimore residents.
Farm Alliance
A vibrant collective of urban farms
The Farm Alliance of Baltimore is a membership organization of urban farms, neighborhood growers, and friends. We use connection, resource sharing, and collective advocacy with respect to food, land and water to expand communities’ self-determination and power.
The Food Project
Food. Youth. Community.
The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. We envision a world where youth are active leaders, diverse communities feel connected to the land and each other, and everyone has access to fresh, local, healthy, affordable food.
CHAI
Strong Communities for Life
Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI) is a community development organization that has been strengthening neighborhoods in northwest Baltimore for over 40 years through housing and community development, so residents of all ages can thrive.
BMORE Community Food
Feeding Our Neighbors
Bmore Community Food is a project of An End to Ignorance, Inc. Our sole purpose is to exclusively serve marginalized residents of Baltimore City who face food insecurity issues.
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