The nonprofit organization, So What Else, is celebrating an important event this weekend, the grand opening of its new Food Pantry and Thrift Store.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at its new location, 4924 Wyaconda Road in North Bethesda.
Will Serve As Important Hub
The Rockville based group previously had a pantry at Lakeforest Mall. However, when the mall closed the group needed to find a new location. The new site will provide the group with much needed space to house all of its pantry needs. The organization will distribute food from its new place, and the new pantry also will serve as a hub to help So What Else go out into the community. The organization routinely sets up about a dozen pop-up food pantries across the County in places such as Rockville, Aspen Hill, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park.
“The reason we do the pop-up neighborhood distributions is really part of our model. Our mission is to serve the community and meet them where they are at. A lot of these individuals who need access to food are limited due to transportation,” So What Else Grant Writer, Travis Whitcomb explained.
Group’s Missions
So What Else began in 2009 as a volunteer organization. Over the years, the group has provided programs for underserved youth and then when the pandemic hit in March 2020, it took on a new role to provide food for those in need.
That mission continues to grow. The numbers are staggering. The group estimates it serves meals to about 6,500 families in Montgomery County each week. Overall, So What Else has provided more than 37 million meals since the start of the pandemic. One meal is equivalent to 1.2 pounds of food.
The new pantry will provide other needed items besides meals for people.
“What is really great about this space is we do not only distribute food. We distribute clothing, diapers and other basic necessities.So we have a free thrift store for people to come through and get other items they need,” said Allie Bonney, So What Else’s Grants and Development Director.
Food Pantry Hours
The new Food Pantry will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where people can access non-perishable food and other items. On Saturday, people can access the group’s Outdoor Pantry. The Saturday hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“It is kind of like a walk up free Farmer’s Market. There is a lot of fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and milk. People can get these items along with some non-perishables to stock up for the week,” Bonney said.
Community Needs Grow Post-Pandemic
Both Bonney and Whitcomb say even though the pandemic has settled down, the needs of the community are still great. They cite inflation and cuts in federal programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as key reasons.
“I think it really speaks to the gap in the wealth in Montgomery County. I believe people think ‘Oh you are in North Bethesda, who in North Bethesda needs food’? That is a very wealthy area. But I think the wealthy are wealthy and people who struggle, others tend to forget about them,” Bonney said.
Whitcomb believes the problem of food insecurity will be around for the foreseeable future.
“I think for us to realize real change here, there needs to be a systemic change. We need our politicians to evoke policies that will help those that are most in need, to help them get access to the resources especially when we see how much food is out there that potentially goes to waste,” Whitcomb said.
“I think organizations like So What Else and a lot of our partners are empowering these communities and hopefully empowering a voice that can help incite change on broader levels,” Whitcomb added.
Important Partnerships
So What Else does not work in a vacuum. It has forged partnerships with organizations such as the Capital Area Food Bank, Manna Food Center, small farmers, as well as other groups and individuals.
“I think what sets us apart is we are willing to go out of the county, even out of state and travel to where the food is. That allows us to source adequately to serve our constituents,” Whitcomb said.
Helping Underserved Youth
While securing and distributing food is an important plank of So What Else’s mission now, it is still very involved in helping young people. The organization offers after-school enrichment programs, summer camps, and other activities. Before the pandemic, the group provided services to 3,200 children. Today that number is around 2,500.
So What Else is always in need of donations and volunteers. If you would like to help, contact the organization at www.sowhatelse.org.
