Silver Spring nonprofit Montgomery Housing Partnership has raised roughly $583,000 for the victims of the March 3 explosion and fire at the Friendly Garden Apartments on Lyttonsville Road, according to a report from Bethesda Beat.
Chris Gillis, MHP’s director of policy and neighborhood development, told Bethesda Beat that a large donation expected from Washington Gas and other sources should increase the fund to more than $600,000 in roughly a week. About $463,000 of the money had been distributed to affected residents as of Thursday, Gillis said.
“More than 150 neighbors are affected by the explosion and fire, requiring significant resources to address extensive needs,” MHP said. “Some families lost everything. We continue to accept donations to provide relief. Thank you for lending a hand to our neighbors!”
In addition to MHP’s fundraising, which exceeded $500,000 on March 15, J. Hollinger’s chef Mike Ellis has been preparing and serving meals to the displaced residents.
The incident was ruled an accident by local and federal authorities last month.
Photo courtesy Montgomery Housing Partnership