We list many kinds of nonprofits in and around Potomac: food banks, animal adoption, arts, environment, housing; find what appeals to you, and pitch in. It’s fair to say that most organizations would like financial contributions and volunteers.
Manna Food Center
Manna Food Center, the main food bank in Montgomery County, strives to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Manna provides food to 32,000 individuals each year and helps distribute rescued food to soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters county-wide. Nearly every social service organization in Montgomery County relies on Manna to provide food to their clients.
You can drop off food donations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at: the Warehouse, 9311 Gaither Road Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 424-1130 info@mannafood.org www.mannafood.org
Mercy Health Clinic in Gaithersburg is a non-sectarian, non-profit, community health clinic committed to providing high quality medical care to eligible patients free of charge. It serves around 2,000 patients annually with more than 50 volunteer physicians and over 100 medical and administrative volunteers. “At Mercy, we believe that we all benefit when everyone in our community has access to health care.” The clinic is located at 7 Metropolitan Court, Suite 1, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Phone 240-773-0300 or visit www.mercyhealthclinic.org.
Interfaith Works provides shelter, food, and clothing to low-income and homeless neighbors. Offices are at 114 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville, 20850 www.iworksmc.org,
Potomac Community Resources, Inc. promotes the full inclusion into community life of teens and adults with developmental differences by providing over 35 therapeutic, recreational, social, educational, and respite care programs. PCR’s in-person programs remain suspended, but you can participate in our engaging videos online, https://pcr-inc.org/pcr-videos/ Donations to PCR make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental differences and their families. Eighty-six percent of every dollar donated goes directly to its programs. Updated resources page, pcr-inc.org/community-resources/community-links/
Offices located at 9200 Kentsdale Drive, Potomac, 20854. Phone 301-365-0561 or visit http://pcr-inc.org/
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) a community-based nonprofit organization, is a leading provider of permanent housing, intermediate housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. MCCH programs serve 1,600 men, women, and children each year, providing 60 percent of the emergency shelter beds in the county.
600-B East Gude Drive, Rockville, 20850, 301-217-0314 www.mcch.net.
ArtStream performances feature adult actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism and other social and behavioral needs. Actors, volunteer mentors and theatre professionals work as a team to create original performances for live audiences. ArtStream offers drama and life-skills classes and programs in military hospitals. The group is based in Chevy Chase and normally holds programming throughout the region, but right now the virtual programs are thriving. 8401 Connecticut Ave. Ste 1230, Chevy Chase, 20815, 301-565-4567 www.art-stream.org.
Shepherd's Table is a nonprofit organization in downtown Silver Spring, supported by volunteers, religious organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individual donors. It provides help to people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, medical support, clothing, and other assistance. 8210 Dixon Ave., Silver Spring, 20910, 301-585-6463 www.shepherdstable.org.
The Fisher House program supports members of the military and their families when they travel great distances for specialized medical care. Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes,” including at Walter Reed in Bethesda. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times.
Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, 20852, 301-294-8560, info@fisherhouse.org or www.fisherhouse.org.
KindWorks seeks to inspire action for a kinder world by meeting pressing community needs and building community by mobilizing individuals to assist in many kinds of volunteer service. They are working with refugees from Afghanistan in addition to many other things.
KindWorks, Inc., 7979 Old Georgetown Road, 10th Floor, Bethesda, 20814; Call 301-246-2452, email info@DoKindWorks.org or visit www.dokindworks.org.
Friends in Action is a program that provides intensive case management to low income Montgomery County families. Families are assigned to an FIA case manager that will help create goals in areas of education and employment, health and mental health, parenting, budgeting, home management, and practical life skills. 301-762-8682 www.iworksmc.org/friends-in-action.
Montgomery Countryside Alliance promotes sound economic, land-use and transportation policies that preserve the natural environment, open spaces, and rural lands in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve for the benefit of all Washington Metropolitan area residents.
Write P.O Box 24, Poolesville, MD 20837, call 301-461-9831 email info@mocoalliance.org or visit www.mocoalliance.org.
Spirit Club Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization organized to ensure that people with disabilities and other health-related challenges have the opportunity to exercise and learn about fitness and nutrition in an integrated setting.
Spirit Club Foundation, PO Box 443, Kensington, MD 20895, SpiritClubFoundation.org
MCPAW (Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being) is the non-profit partner of the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) working through MCASAC to keep homeless pets healthy and happy while awaiting adoption. Goals are: Reduce the number of animals that come to MCASAC; pamper, protect, and provide emergency veterinary care for animals inside MCASAC; educate and engage the community in causes for animal welfare. Visit http://www.mcpaw.org.
PetConnect Rescue was founded in 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and has evolved into a vibrant animal rescue organization. Their mission is to save the lives of abandoned dogs and cats and place them in loving and permanent homes.
PO Box 60714, Potomac, 20859; 1-877-838-9171; info@petconnectrescue.org. www.petconnectrescue.org
C&O Canal Trust: By giving to the C&O Canal Trust, you will be joining a growing movement of citizens across the country who are taking personal responsibility for the future of “America’s best idea” - our national parks. Give thanks for the C&O Canal you enjoy today and invest in its future.
www.canaltrust.org
Potomac Riverkeeper Network The organization works to protect the public’s right to clean water in our rivers and streams; to stop pollution, to promote safe drinking water; to protect healthy river habitats, and to enhance public use and enjoyment of the Potomac.
3070 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007. 202-888-2037
www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org
Potomac Conservancy: The Conservancy seeks to improve the Potomac River’s water quality by building an impassioned base of river advocates to impart change at the local level.
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 805, Silver Spring, 20910, 301-608-1188 potomac.org.