Employees of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) have stepped up to combat hunger in their community by donating over 3,100 pounds of food to the Southern Maryland Food Bank. This contribution will help feed more than 140 families in need.
The food bank, a branch of Catholic Charities, has been a cornerstone in the fight against hunger for over four decades. It provides various services including a local food pantry, a community learning garden, and the delivery of healthy groceries to vulnerable children and senior citizens. This year, SMECO’s annual summer food drive amassed more than 1,800 pounds of food, with additional purchases made through monetary donations bringing the total to over 3,100 pounds.
George Mattingly, project director for the Southern Maryland Food Bank, emphasized the timely nature of SMECO’s contribution. “The donation of food from SMECO came in at a time when the 35 church pantries that we support on a weekly basis are running low on food resources to meet their clients’ needs,” Mattingly stated. He noted that summer donations typically dwindle, forcing pantries to buy food at wholesale prices, which is more costly.
Sonja M. Cox, president and CEO of SMECO, expressed her pride in the employees’ commitment. “Our employees care deeply about serving the Southern Maryland community, and for many years they have provided generous donations of food for struggling people in our community,” Cox said. She highlighted the importance of supporting local families, stressing that providing food is fundamental to meeting basic needs.
In addition to the food drive, SMECO employees engage in various fundraising activities throughout the year to support local organizations. One such event is the Annual Charity Golf Outing, which sees participation from SMECO vendors, its Board of Directors, the executive team, and employee volunteers. Each year, a different local group benefits from the funds raised at this event.
SMECO’s ongoing efforts underscore its commitment to not only provide energy but also to enhance the welfare of the communities it serves.
