Adopt A Block hosts an open free food market!

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Adopt A Block hosted a pop-up food market for people in need amid concerns about limited SNAP benefits.

Ginny Poorman, operations manager for Adopt A Block, said, “It was definitely the biggest pop-up we’ve had, by a lot. Thankfully, we got a ton of food in today, so we were able to feed everybody.”

The event attracted a long line of people seeking food assistance. Poorman said the organization increased its emergency food supply by 300%. The most sought-after items were starches.

“Instant mashed potatoes, white rice, pastas — those things are getting depleted much faster than anything else. Ramen noodles are a precious commodity right now because that’s a whole meal,” Poorman said.

Nicholas Machado, pantry assistant, said other items in high demand included desserts, salads, and fruit. The organization also had pre-made meals available for people to heat up at home.

With rising prices, Adopt A Block is also stocking up on toilet paper and paper towels for distribution.

“Everyone has the option to select those items, and if we have extra and they ask for it, we try to make it available,” Poorman said.

Community members expressed deep gratitude for the support.

“Every day that we take care of them, it’s nothing but love that we get from them,” Machado said. “It’s a blessing to be able to help support people at every stage of life.”

“I’m just happy we were blessed to have enough food to cover everyone here,” Machado added. “Find a need, fill it. Find a hurt, heal it. That’s our motto, and that’s what we go by.”

As the holidays approach, Poorman and Machado say the program will need more help than ever to continue serving the community.