About Us

Two weeks after COVID-19 made its way to Maryland, a Hispanic father of a Bates Middle School student, and landscaper of Amy Marshall, fell victim to the virus and passed away. Soon after, Amy saw a Facebook post from Diana Love, a Bates mom, requesting donations for the family.

Realizing they shared this connection, they joined forces to support the family through a meal train, gifts for his four children, and even hoped to help with the funeral expenses. They used their West Annapolis connections and the community responded with incredible support. Due to the many donations received, they were able to take on another Hispanic family, a man and his 13-year-old son, who were extremely ill. Diana began requesting donations via Facebook, and they were flooded with responses. Due to the quarantine and travel restrictions, Amy's Airbnb lay vacant and soon became their logistical hub and storage facility.

When they realized how gracious and benevolent the community is, they hatched a plan. Diana reached out to an Anne Arundel County Public School (AACPS) Social Worker to get information on other Bates families that may need assistance. They knew many in the Hispanic community would not receive any government assistance (Annapolis is 25% Hispanic/LatinX).

Amy and Diana started with a list of 50 families who were desperate for food due to job loss. They rallied the troops and the response was more than they ever anticipated. Due to the generosity of both residents and local business leaders, their reach extended far past the original 50 families. By May, they outgrew the Airbnb, and a local church, Annapolis EP, donated the use of their modular buildings for all food and donation storage. Brian Riddle, owner of Homestead Gardens wholeheartedly joined the cause. He not only donated $10,000, but sourced a refrigerated truck loaned by Ideal Lease, free of charge. WBAL-TV and The Today show featured the pop-up pantry and from their coverage, Perdue got wind and donated 35,000 pounds of chicken - six months' worth of meals! As of September, they are now serving 150+ direct deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 315-350 households on the weekends.

They offer a drive-through food aid each Saturday at Annapolis EP providing each vehicle four to five bags of groceries. This generally includes fresh fruits and vegetables, Perdue chicken, rice, beans, masa, dairy, pantry staples, and even diapers for those in need.

Their mission was, and remains, to support members of the Hispanic community who lost their income due to COVD-19 and do not have access to federal aid such as unemployment, stimulus checks, or loans. The pantry can deliver healthy and nutritious groceries directly to otherwise unsupported Hispanic families who are sick, elderly, pregnant, or without another means to feed themselves or their children. What began as an effort to help one family, is now an effort that feeds hundreds of families each week. To date, they fed more than 20,000 people and delivered thousands of meals.

Amy and Diana are the first to say, this would not be possible without the 60+ volunteers who help every week. The pantry continues to rely on community donations and volunteers. Their primary needs are people who have a heart for the Hispanic community and see how it is inextricably woven into the fabric of Annapolis. They believe we have a responsibility to make every member of this community feel loved and cared for.