The Maryland Food Banks's mission is to lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of Marylanders by ending hunger.
The FoodWorks Program offers 12 weeks of intense culinary training to low-income individuals. Students learn basic cooking skills while converting fresh produce and other perishable foods into healthy meals for distribution to those in need. The curriculum includes fundamental culinary techniques, nutrition, menu planning and job-seeking skills. The students are learning a skill that will translate to a $13 per hour job. At the same time, they are preparing meals for hungry Marylanders, which are distributed through food pantries, homeless shelters, and school backpack programs.
The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle grant helped the Maryland Food Bank support staff salaries and obtain supplies so that it could continue to train low-income individuals with culinary skills that could lead to better jobs.