Food and Basic Needs (Clothing, Medical, and Emergency)
Find Food and Basic Needs Resources offering access to nutritious meals, clothing, medical assistance, mental health resources, and emergency supplies to help individuals and families meet essential needs during the federal government shutdown.
Food Resources
Food Programs
Emergency Food Assistance Program
The Emergency Food Assistance Program acts as a clearinghouse for the distribution ot donated food. Over 30 local community pantries and shelters currently participate in the program. All food is provided to eligible individuals and families free of charge. Visit pgcfec.org/resources/find-food-food-pantry-listings/ for more information on County food pantries.
The following Prince George's County Department of Social Services (PGCDSS) service centers will also now have permanent food pantries to further serve Prince Georgians, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.:
North County — New!
- 6505 Bellcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Central County
- 425 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20785
South County — New!
- 4235 28th Avenue, Temple Hills, MD 20748
No registration is required to receive food from these PGCDSS food pantries. Food is available to all County residents, and walk-ups are welcome.
Food Supplement Program
The Food Supplement Program helps low-income individuals purchase essential food items for their health. Eligibility is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan. To apply, visit https://benefits.maryland.gov/home/#/
Capital Area Food Bank
Local food banks can be found by accessing the organization’s food bank network at https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/find-food-assistance/. Use your zip code to find your local food bank and access food resources
Medical Assistance Program
The Medical Assistance program helps individuals and families cover medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, exams, prescriptions, hospital bills, and Medicare premiums. For more information, visit https://benefits.maryland.gov/home/#/.
PGCPS Meal Benefits
Did you know that if your household income changes — including changes due to a furlough or other employment adjustments — you may apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) for your student at any point during the school year?
Even if your student automatically receives free breakfast and lunch at a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, we encourage you to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) application to access additional benefits, including:
- Waived testing and activity fees
- Discounted internet service
- Access to community programs and resources
Complete the application online for the quickest processing, or request a paper form from your child’s school.
Questions regarding an application? (301) 952-6517
Non-Profit and Community Organizations Food Distribution
AfriThrive
Area of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: AfriThrive operates a mobile food pantry that distributes culturally appropriate, healthy foods to African and immigrant families. Food distribution takes place every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month between 12pm–2pm. The location is 5120 Whitfield Chapel Rd, Lanham, MD 20706
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
Area of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: Host a monthly food distribution at Rosa L. Parks Elementary School in Hyattsville, MD. The distributions are generally held on the fourth Saturday of each month at 10am. Participants can confirm the date and time via their website at https://tzuchi.us/dc. For specific questions, email dc-food@tzuchi.us.
Target Population: Open to all
Community Health Foundation, Inc.
https://chfoundationconnect.org
Area of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: Community Health Foundation Inc. provides food distribution services to residents of Prince George’s County. Through their partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank and Prince George’s Muslim Association (PGMA), they distribute a variety of nutritious foods including dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), fresh produce (such as watermelon, cabbage), protein options (chicken, fish, eggs), and dry goods (rice, beans, peanut butter, macaroni, and more).
The food distribution services are available every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 2pm, and the second Saturday of each month.
Target Population: Open to all
Food & Friends
Areas of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: Food & Friends provides freshly prepared, home delivered, Medically Tailored Meals, Medically Tailored Groceries, and Medical Nutrition Therapy at no cost to individuals and their families living with serious illnesses.
Clients are referred to Food & Friends from their healthcare provider, and Food and Friends function as a prescription for nutrition for those living with complex and debilitating health issues such as diabetes, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and kidney failure.
Target Population: Clients must submit an application; you can find it online: https://foodandfriends.org/how-to-get-meals/#intakeforms (Please note that the application needs to be signed/completed by a medical provider
The Fresh Food Market
https://kgcdc.org/kingdom-cares-fresh-food-market
Area of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: The Fresh Food Market addresses food insecurity in a state-of-the-art, 10,000sf fresh food venue. The market, designed as a grocery style model, offers a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. Prince George’s County residents can shop for groceries, at no cost to them, based on their family size, nutritional needs, and cultural preferences.
The market is open by appointment on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The address is 11700 Beltsville Drive, Beltsville, Maryland.
Target Population: Open to all.
United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP)
Area of focus: Food Distribution
Brief Description: UCAP's Food Pantry is open every Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10:00am to 2:30pm by appointment.
Mental Health and Medical Resources
Mental Health Treatment
Stress and other factors may impact emotional and mental stability during this challenging period. To locate treatment resources in your neighborhood, please visit the SAMHSA website at https://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/.
For additional mental health resources for veterans, maternal mental health services, and other behavioral health support, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/caring/index.html.
For LGBTQIA+ specific mental health resources, please visit https://www.hrc.org/resources/mental-health-resources-in-the-lgbtq-community.
Emergencies
For immediate crisis assistance, residents can call the Maryland Crisis Hotline at dial 988 for Maryland’s response services.
Temporary Disability Program
The Temporary Disability Assistance Program offers limited cash assistance to low-income disabled individuals without dependent children and no other resources. Apply at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us.
Medical Assistance Program
The Medical Assistance program helps individuals and families cover medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, exams, prescriptions, hospital bills, and Medicare premiums. For more information, visit mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us.
Benefits Assistance
The 2-1-1 benefits system is Maryland's most comprehensive health and human services Information and Referral System. With over 7,500 resources, individuals with essential needs can get connected to local help 24/7/365. For Prince George's County residents, please call 301-864-7130 or visit https://211md.orgfor 2-1-1 benefits information.
Health Insurance - Maryland Health Connection
If you have lost your other health coverage, such as job-based coverage, or any of these other life events, you have 60 days to enroll or change plans. If you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP), you can enroll any time of year. Marylanders are eligible for a special enrollment period when they file their taxes and check a box on their state tax form. This special enrollment runs through tax season. Please visit Maryland Health Connection for more information.
Care for Uninsured Residents
For residents who have lost health insurance coverage, the County Health Department provides basic primary care, childhood immunizations, reproductive health, sexual health, and STI testing and treatment at the Cheverly Health Center and the Maternal and Child Health Center (MCH @Laurel) on a sliding fee schedule. No one will be turned away due to their inability to pay.
Maternal and Child Health Center (MCH @Laurel) | 14207 Park Center Drive, Laurel, MD 20707
This office serves residents who are under 18 years for pediatric primary care services including well-child visits, sick visits, specialty referrals, limited laboratory testing, STI testing and treatment, and childhood immunizations. Please call one of the two numbers below:
- Medical appointments: 301-324-5141
- WIC: 301-856-9600
Cheverly Health Center | 3003 Hospital Drive, Cheverly, MD 20785
The center offers a wide range of health care services, including dental, childhood immunizations, flu, reproductive health, sexual health, behavioral health, and tuberculosis treatment, on a sliding fee schedule for those without health insurance coverage. To schedule an appointment for one of the clinics, please call one of the numbers listed below.
- Childhood Immunizations: 301-583-3300
- Adult Primary Care (Includes reproductive, family planning, sexual health and STI testing and treatment, specialty referrals): 301-583- 3340
- Dental: 301-583-5900
- HIV Clinical, Case Management, and Behavioral Health Services: 301-583-3150
- WIC: 301-856-9600
- Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic: 301-583- 3340
Health Care Resources
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is available to pregnant women and children (birth through age 5). Fathers, grandparents, and guardians can apply on behalf of a child. To discuss eligibility and to find the closest WIC office to you, call 1-800-242-4942.
Clothing and Personal Items Resources
Mercy House (affiliated with the Saint Stephen Baptist Church)
https://www.ssbcmd.org/mercy-house
Areas of focus: Clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Brief Description: Provides clothing, shoes and accessories on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 9am – 12pm.
Target Population: Open to all