Leonardtown, Md. –– MedSTAR Transport will hold a community food drive March 21, 2026, at Leonardtown High School from 10 a.m. to noon, inviting St Marys County residents to donate non-perishable items to fill a helicopter and ambulance. The event, with a rain date of April 18, 2026, allows participants to meet crew members, tour vehicles and learn about emergency services. Donations will aid Feed St Marys food bank and the Healthy Food Pantry at MedStar St Marys Hospital.
The initiative extends MedSTAR Transports mission beyond emergency response to address food insecurity affecting nearly 12% of St Marys Countys population, according to Maryland Food Bank data. Our team has been dedicated to serving the greater Baltimore-Washington community since our first patient flight in 1983, said Ron Armontrout, NRP, FP-C, operations manager for MedSTAR Transport. Every day, we are entrusted with caring for our neighbors during their most vulnerable moments. We are proud to extend that commitment beyond emergency response by supporting preventative efforts to help combat food insecurity in St. Mary’s County.
MedStar St Marys Hospitals Healthy Food Pantry has served 80 patients with specific dietary needs in the past 12 months. Nutritious foods play an important role in the healing process, said Lori Werrell, assistant vice president of Care Transformation at MedStar St Marys Hospital. Our Healthy Food Pantry supports patients during the critical time following their discharge and allows us time to connect them to pantries and soup kitchens for long-term needs.
MedSTAR Transport, part of MedStar Health, provides air and ground critical care transport across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia, operating from bases including Leonardtown. The service, launched in 1983, handles thousands of transports annually for trauma, cardiac and other emergencies.
St Marys County, with a population of about 114,000, faces ongoing food insecurity challenges. Recent data from the Maryland Food Bank indicates rates have risen steadily since 2022, with 9.3% of residents below the poverty line in 2023, per U.S. Census figures. Feed St Marys, a community-supported food bank, distributes essentials to local families, while the hospital pantry focuses on post-discharge support for vulnerable patients.
The event aligns with broader efforts in Southern Maryland to address hunger. Similar drives and partnerships have helped reduce barriers to nutritious food, especially in rural areas where access to grocery stores and transportation can be limited. Local health officials note that food insecurity contributes to chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, making initiatives like this vital for community wellness.
MedStar Health, which operates 10 hospitals and employs over 30,000 associates, contributed more than $400 million in community benefits last year, including programs targeting social determinants of health. In St Marys County, collaborations with groups like the Healthy St Marys Partnership emphasize data-driven approaches to food security, with reports showing child insecurity rates at 11.5% in recent years.
Residents can drop off canned goods, boxed meals and other non-perishables at the high school parking lot. Organizers encourage advance planning for the rain date. For more details, contact MedSTAR Transport through MedStar Health channels.
This drive reflects growing community engagement in Southern Maryland, where food banks served over 10,000 households last year amid economic pressures. Officials hope the event raises awareness and boosts donations ahead of spring.