Kokua is a Hawaiian word meaning “to give selflessly without any expectation of anything in return. Small Things Matters’ Kokua Foods Program provides over 7000 food insecure individuals in Maryland with fresh produce and grocery, chicken, casseroles, non-perishable, household goods, feminine hygiene products, schools supplies through many amazing partnerships with local grocery stores, churches, and Montgomery County.
We serve Takoma Park and Silver Spring apartments (Hampshire Tower Apts, Essex House, Parkview, Edinburgh House, Maple View, Park Ritchie, Cambridge, Winslow, Langley Gardens, University Landing), local schools (Piney Branch ES, Takoma Park ES), Title I schools in Silver Spring and Rockville (Weller Road ES, Meadow Hall ES), and senior centers/apartments (A Plus Adult Day Care, Bonifant, Hampshire Village) with deliveries/distribution at these sites which addresses transportation issues that are often a barrier to food access. Our team pickups, packs, deliveries and distributes food 5 days a week.
We also distribute fresh produce through our community distributions for Takoma Park and Silver Spring residents on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 9:30am-11am at the TP Seventh Day Adventist Church Center (6810 Eastern Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012)) in their parking lot. As well as our STM Tuesday Teen Pantry distributions from 4:30-6pm at the TPSS Coop (201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912) during the school year on February 6, March 5, April 9, May 7, and June 11. All teens are invited to join us at our regular weekly Friday morning packing/distributions at the TPSS Coop starting at 7:30am. during the summer months.
In addition fresh produce, grocery items, and prepared foods are shared at the Takoma Park Community Pantries:
- Grey bins managed by Jamie Iwugo
8108 Roanoke Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
There are coolers inside the shed for perishable items.
STM Deliveries: Thursday night; Saturday morning - Purple bins managed by Lara Watson
8101 Garland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
There are large bins for food with ice packs and bins for clothing, books, etc.
STM Deliveries: Thursday morning; Sunday morning - Blue bins managed by Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa
6719 Conway Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Go around the corner onto Circle Drive. The pantry is directly across the street from 404 Circle Avenue. There are 2 refrigerators with freezers, plus 2 coolers and bins.
STM Deliveries: Thursdays morning, Saturday morning - Black bins managed by Kirsten Slade
99 Richie Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
5-6 milk crates
STM Deliveries: Thursdays morning, Saturday morning
Families and individuals are encouraged to visit the bins that are closest to where they live.
Volunteer opportunities:
We are looking for volunteers to help our team with pickups/delivery. Adults can earn community service hours for their help.
In addition students can earn SSL hours by participating in virtual/at home opportunities making food for those in need or coming out to serve in person. See: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/agency/mgrNeeds/?agency_id=81036
Please contact us: thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com or 202-669-8550 if you have any questions.