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
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
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
Jewish Community Services
Promise Heights
Maryland Food Bank
No Boundaries Coalition
Farm Alliance
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
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