In September, we think about the end of summer, the weather getting a bit cooler, and our school and life routines returning after summer break. At The Open Link, we also think about September as Hunger Action Month and what that means for those who are struggling to access fresh, nutritious food every day.
In particular, I think about the factors that contribute to food insecurity, economic hardship being the primary contributor. However, here in the Valley, access to healthy food plays an equally important role. Among the lack of transportation, an aging population, and spread-out geography, here in the Valley, access to food is more difficult than in other parts of Montgomery County.
This year's Hunger Action Month theme is "Play Your Part." The Open Link has been addressing barriers to access and "playing our part" in several different ways:
- Our Pantry. Our pantry is a full-choice model, meaning that participants choose the items they need, such as meat, dairy, produce, and dry goods, on a point system. After placing their orders, they can obtain those items by picking them up Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Food ordering is available two times per month, and the pantry has extended hours on Tuesday evenings. Because receiving food from a pantry can feel very stigmatizing, The Open Link tries to make the process as easy and privacy focused as possible. Some information collected is shared to receive food and funding for our programs, but information is self-declared and completely confidential. The Open Link does not want anyone to feel shame in feeding themselves or their families.
- Food Pantry Delivery. For our Valley seniors living at Upper Perk Manor or Red Hill Villas, food is delivered through the mobilization of our pantry with our Food Pantry Without Walls program. We load up our refrigerated van and bring the food ordered to the residents. Our newest initiative, in partnership with DoorDash’s Project DASH, delivers orders to those without transportation or other barriers to access, such as caring for a loved one. Because DoorDash is the conduit, The Open Link can deliver all the way to Hereford or Bally and past Green Lane.
- Meals on Wheels. This program is based on lack of access, not income qualification. It is available to our most vulnerable seniors who have difficulty with activities of daily living, like driving or carrying groceries into the home. Those in need of the service call The Center for information and a referral to Montgomery County. Once the county approves the participant, meal delivery starts within a few days. Meals on Wheels provides more than just meals, though. It is a wellness visit that connects our dedicated volunteers with the program’s participants. Each day, a volunteer brings a hot lunch and cold dinner to a participant, helps them set up lunch, puts the cold food in the fridge, and has a nice visit and conversation with the senior. These visits can sometimes be the only contact this senior has during the day and can mean the difference between life and death. In fact, in 2025, Meals on Wheels drivers identified 12 life and safety threats to recipients that resulted in 911 being called. Without those daily visits, who knows what could have taken place?
- Lunch at the Center. The Center’s daily lunch is also not based on income. Rather, it focuses on access to a hot lunch for Valley neighbors 62 and older. This access is vital for socialization, companionship, and nutrition. If any of you have aging loved ones in your life, you know how challenging it can be for them to make themselves healthy, nutritious meals. The Center takes the guesswork out, as each meal is designed to meet daily nutritional needs per a registered dietitian. Meals are served on nice plates with real silverware so that our active senior community feels the care and attention they deserve. Many meals are followed by fun or educational activity, like bingo, billiards, or a cooking class.
- Summer Kids Meal Program (SKMP). This core program bridges the gap so many Valley kids experience during summer break. When school is out for the summer, free and reduced meal programs pause, and children may face summertime hunger. Through SKMP, each Valley child can receive two breakfasts and two lunches two times per week at one of our five Valley area delivery locations. That’s 8 meals per week! In the summer of 2026, SKMP provided 23,436 meals to children throughout our community.
As our Valley community continues to age and groceries become increasingly more expensive, TOL will continue to think of and create ways to expand access to our most vulnerable community members. Other pantries have implemented refrigerated lockers, community refrigerators, or “food drops” to particularly vulnerable areas. We will continue to identify and assess our community’s needs and address them as fully as we can. Having a robust food delivery system has made further innovation imaginable. All it takes is community support to make it a reality.
During Hunger Action Month (or any month!), if you would like to help us take action against hunger, sign up to volunteer with one of our programs! You can also learn more about Hunger Action Month activities at FeedingAmerica.org.
