Shepherd’s Table officials report that daily meal service at the downtown Silver Spring nonprofit has increased since the beginning of the year.
The organization now serves an average of 422 meals daily, up from 372 last year and reflecting a 28 percent increase in homelessness in Montgomery County from 2023 to 2024.
Silver Spring Cares has revived its Casseroles for a Cause campaign through February 28 in response to the growing need.
In the organization’s Winter Newsletter, Shepherd’s Table executive director Manny Hidalgo writes:
Since the beginning of the year, our daily meal service has increased, averaging 422 meals per day compared to 372 per day last year. The immediate difficulties in our community have been felt as we face the challenges of uncertainty. The meal increase aligns with the 28% rise in homelessness in Montgomery County from 2023 to 2024. The surge includes a significant increase in homelessness among families, which shows how critical support services are right now.
Now more than ever, it’s essential that we are reminded of our mission- to improve quality of life, create a pathway towards individual progress, and inspire hope for the most vulnerable in our community. Because we meet everyone who walks through our door exactly where they are, we attend to all specific needs, whether by providing fresh and nutritionally balanced meals, hygiene items, a mailing address, clothing or an eye exam. A fresh meal can be the entry point to an individual’s more extensive journey of healing and empowerment. If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, it is impossible to make strides towards getting yourself back on your feet.
We also understand that providing basic necessities is only part of the solution. Long-term success requires access to supportive services such as mental health counseling, job placement assistance, and other continuum of care programs. Collaboration with local partners and community organizations ensures that those we serve can access comprehensive resources that promote lasting stability.
When the future feels uncertain and destabilized, we are here for our most vulnerable members of the community. We will reassure our clients and maintain a safe space for them to always come for a warm meal. Our volunteers and staff are driven to make a difference and work to create an environment where every person feels seen, heard, and valued. We celebrate the small victories: every meal served, every job secured, and every trusting relationship we build.
More information on Shepherd’s Table and its services is available online at shepherdstable.org.
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