Blog Archives - Page 3 of 5 - So What Else Inc

We need your help! Help us secure a new pantry space!

January 12, 2023/in Blog, Impact/by raeeichner

Dear Partners, Donors, and Supporters:

So What Else has received some regrettable news that our lease is being terminated at the Lakeforest Mall due to the recent purchase of the space for redevelopment, and we are required to vacate by March 31st, 2023. We are actively searching for a new space to house our pantry headquarters so that we can continue serving our 455,000 clients without disruption. We are reaching out in the hope that you will support us in our search. While we have been fortunate to lease our current space at Lakeforest Mall for a reasonable $1,500 a month, rent at a new location will likely increase by 500%… so we need your support now more than ever.

Our ideal space would be 10,000 – 12,000 sqare feet, with ample indoor and outdoor area to accommodate our services. An easily navigable parking lot for clients to access our free walk-up food pantry with space for our cold storage unit would be ideal, in addition to an indoor space for reception, our free thrift shop, and storage area for diapers, shelf-stable food, and youth programming materials.

So What Else would love to uplift and revitalize an old, abandoned space if one is available and meets our operational needs. Please visit the space before we close and see the incredible work at the Food Pantry from Sunday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, at 701 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Our services include:

A walk-up pantry where we serve 125,000 meals a week
A free thrift shop with household items and clothing
A youth development storage space
A large storage facility for food pallets and 125,000 diapers

While circumstances are not ideal, we know that with the support of passionate individuals such as yourself, we will find a new location to call home and continue to serve the communities in the area. Please keep in mind that our services and operations will continue throughout the transition, and it is our priority to continue meeting the needs of those we serve without disruption.

If you have insight into locations that may be a fit for us or are interested in making a donation to support this effort, please reach out using the contact information provided below.

With gratitude,

Dave Silbert

CEO/Co-Founder, So What Else, Inc.
Email: dsilbert@sowhatelse.org
Phone: (240) 602-0486
One Preserve Parkway Suite 150, Rockville, Maryland 2085

Holiday Giving in Baltimore

December 12, 2022/in Blog, In-Kind Donations/by raeeichner

Join us for Holiday Giving in Baltimore

Help us support Baltimore families this holiday season by donating the following new or gently used items:

Clothes and winter coats
Shoes
Household items
Office supplies & furniture
Non-perishable food

Donation drop-off hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: 424 S Pulaski St, Baltimore, MD 21223.

For pick-ups or more information, please email deja.mcknight2000@gmail.com

Donate Food for the Holiday Season!

November 4, 2022/in Blog, In-Kind Donations/by raeeichner

We are accepting food donations to help support local families experiencing food insecurity this holiday season. We are accepting shelf-stable and fresh foods.

To schedule a donation, please email info@sowhatelse.org.

Or simply drop off your donation Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We also will have special donation hours during the week of Thanksgiving. Drop off donations Sunday, November 20 to Wednesday, November 23 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wish List:

Mac and cheese
Rice and other dried grains
Pasta and pasta sauce
Cereal
Canned vegetables and fruits
Granola bars
Canned beans
Canned soup
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Cooking oil
Eggs
Milk
Chicken
Whole turkey or ham
Bread
Potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Stuffing
Pie filling

Thank you! Your support is ensuring thousands of families have a bright holiday season.

Help Needed Sourcing Food for the Community

September 28, 2022/in Blog/by raeeichner

Dear Community,

We are starting a movement to collect as much food and resources as possible for the communities we serve. We are currently unable to meet the tremendous demand for food and need to increase our sourcing ASAP! Please watch this video from our food pantry so everyone can see to scale at which we serve those in need of food.

We are asking our community and supporters to go through their houses and tell their friends, family, and networks that So What Else is collecting all food and items to help meet the growing need in our community.

High-need items requested:

Non-perishable foods (canned vegetables, boxed pasta, pasta sauce, beans, and rice)
Perishable foods (produce, eggs, meat, dairy)
Clothing and household goods
Art, sports, and school supplies

We hope that people can start food and hygiene drives at their schools, neighborhoods, and places of worship.

Donations can be dropped off at Lake Forest Mall (701 Russell Ave Gaithersburg MD 20878), Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop-off donations are super appreciated, but we can also arrange to pick-up your in-kind donation by contacting Megan Joe at (240) 705-4345.

Do you have questions about starting a food drive of your own or in your community? Email abonney@sowhatelse.org to get started.

With gratitude,

Dave Silbert, Executive Director

Check us out on Volunteer Hub!

September 12, 2022/in Blog/by raeeichner

So What Else is excited to announce that we are migrating our volunteer service opportunities and volunteer event registration to a new format!

To help us with this transition, please take a moment to create your Volunteer Profile using this link: sowhatelse.volunteerhub.com

Please add sowhatelse.volunteerhub.com and (So What Else newsletter address) to your safe sender list to ensure you are receiving all relevant communications from So What Else… Can we do to help?!

THANK YOU!

#SoWhatElseHelps