LEONARDTOWN, Md. — After a successful food drive in 2024, the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management (LUGM) organized another collection event for October 2025. This year, LUGM collected 2,243 nonperishable items between its six divisions. The Permits Division brought in the most items at 1,902, a donation that was matched by Jessica Andritz, the director of LUGM.
After collecting 308 items during 2024’s food drive, LUGM proved that they can break their records when they come together as a team. Working hand-in-hand, LUGM secured thousands of items during the government shutdown, an effort that will help hundreds of community members in St. Mary’s County.
“In the wake of the federal government shutdown, the donations by LUGM couldn’t come at a better time. We are always looking for ways to engage with our residents, our friends and our neighbors. Helping to provide meals in difficult times, such as this one, is essential to the mission of St. Mary’s County Government,” wrote LUGM Director Jessica Andritz.
Director Andritz continued, “One of our priorities is to be responsible and accountable to our residents while creating a strong, vibrant community where neighbors support one another.”
Director Andritz worked alongside Jacqueline Wells, director of community engagement and policy with Health St. Mary’s, to locate food pantries around Southern Maryland that are in need of donations. On Oct. 9, Director Andritz and her two children, Robbie and Olivia, brought the first collection of food to St. Mary’s Caring.
Food drives are more important than ever following the October shutdown, and Director Andritz noted that the St. Mary’s County government aims to be accountable for its residents during challenging times.
LUGM’s Essential Work — Director Andritz’s Story
Jessica Andritz and the staff at the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management (LUGM) work around the clock to create a safer community. Following the food drive, The BayNet reached out to LUGM to learn more about the department’s recent work.
The St. Mary’s Department of Land Use and Growth Management is essential in ensuring stability in the county, but it’s not always recognized for its successes, as Director Andritz explained.
“When the average person is asked about the work done by the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM), they would probably say that LUGM is a regulatory agency that explains to people what they can and cannot do with their property,” said Director Andritz.
She continued, “Some people appreciate the guidance that LUGM staff provides to help them navigate the various regulations imposed by the state or adopted by the County Commissioners. Others may see LUGM as a hindrance, while still others are grateful that the department is charged with the responsibility of enforcing regulations, particularly when the property next door has become vacant and fallen into a state of disrepair.”
Director Andritz’s story begins in 2023, when she was hired by the St. Mary’s County government.
“Jessica Andritz, LUGM director, is relatively new to St. Mary’s County government. She was hired in the summer of 2023, and prior to her arrival in Leonardtown, Director Andritz had been engaged with several local nonprofit organizations.
“In addition to volunteering with her church, she had previously served as the president of a local Rotary Club and served as the chair of the Zekiah District (a unit of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America that serves Charles County and the surrounding areas), and was an active member of her local Chamber of Commerce.”
Upon assuming the position of LUGM director, Jessica Andritz made a strong effort to get to know her staff, as a team is only as strong as its connections with each other.
“During her first year in LUGM, Director Andritz spent countless hours getting to know her staff. But Director Andritz envisioned exploring more traditional ways of engaging with her community and serving the residents of St. Mary’s County in ways that went far beyond implementing the county’s comprehensive zoning ordinance.”
In 2024, LUGM staff made a group effort to donate food, collecting 746 donation items in total.
“In the fall of 2024, with the support of the staff from all six LUGM divisions, Director Andritz challenged them to bring in nonperishable food items for the St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen located in Lexington Park. In addition to free lunch, Director Andritz also promised to match the donations made by the staff of the division that collected the most items.
“The staff of the Inspections & Compliance Division, under the leadership of Joe Goldsmith, zoning compliance supervisor and division manager, collected 308 items. As a result, the department was able to collect and deliver 746 items (which included Director Andritz’s matching donation) to the St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen.”
In September 2025, LUGM staff collected more than 1,900 items, an amount of food that will help countless Marylanders during the federal shutdown.
“This year, the challenge remained the same, and the staff of the Permits Division, under the leadership of Amber Harding, building official and permits manager, collected a total of 1,902 items during the month of September. With the donations of all LUGM staff, including the promised match from Director Andritz (of 1,902 items), a total of 4,145 items have been collected.”
The 2025 food drive was highly successful, securing thousands of items for those in need in St. Mary’s County. As they move toward the future, Director Jessica Andritz and LUGM will continue making an effort to help Southern Marylanders, one food drive at a time.
To learn more about the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management, visit their official website.
Food Pantries Requiring Assistance In Southern Maryland
In her message to The BayNet, Andritz offered a list of food pantries in the area that require assistance.
“Gabby Gleissner, senior planning specialist with LUGM’s Long-Range Planning Division, has been assisting Director Andritz in reaching out to other local food pantries to see if they need to have their shelves replenished. To date, the following food pantries have indicated a need for these nonperishable food items: St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, the Pantry at Real Life Church in Mechanicsville, and Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park. Gleissner has also reached out to First Friendship Pantry in Ridge and Our Lady of the Wayside in Chaptico, and LUGM expects that those pantries, among others, will express a need for food.”
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
