Head Start families receive food boxes

BALTIMORE (WMAR) - Nearly 400 low-income families received healthy food boxes as part of Family Food Day in Baltimore Thursday.

Family Food Day took place at St. Francis Xavier Church Undercroft in East Baltimore.  Food boxes that were distributed contained canned corn, green beans, carrots, beef broth, and peanut butter, and is meant to help feed a family of four for one week, according to United Way spokesperson Ashley Gorby.

Nearly 40 volunteers, including college students who participated in United Way of Central Maryland's Alternative Spring Break, took part in handing out the food boxes.

According to United Way of Central Maryland, there are more than 300,000 people who lack consistent access to healthy, affordable food.  Nearly 16 percent of those 300,000 are children.

“Food insecurity is a profound problem in our community,” said Molly Shattuck, founder of Molly Shattuck Vibrant Living and UWCM’s Healthy Food Ambassador. “It’s imperative that we continue to come up with solutions to put healthy, affordable meals on the tables of families who need it. We're grateful for the support and collaboration of Feed The Children and for our partnership with St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore."

By Friday, 800 food boxes will be distributed by the United Way and Feed The Children to pre-registered families whose children attend St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore's Head Start Caroline site.