From Coat Drives To Community Pantry: How One Marbury Family Is Helping Neighbors In Need

MARBURY, Md. — What started as a simple effort to help neighbors during the most recent federal government shutdown has grown into a steady, community-supported pantry serving families across Charles County.

The community pantry, located at 5060 Judy Place in Marbury, was launched by Thelma and her husband, Shawn, a couple who both work in transportation for Charles County Public Schools — Thelma as a bus driver and Shawn as a bus attendant — and who had been helping people through informal outreach long before the pantry existed.

Thelma said the idea was shaped by years of hands-on service, including organizing annual coat drives and distributing food and supplies in both Charles County and Baltimore, as well as her own past experience with food insecurity.

“There were times when I didn’t know how I was going to feed my kids,” Thelma said. “When you’ve lived that, you recognize it in other people.”

From Outreach To Action

Before launching the pantry, Thelma and Shawn organized an annual winter coat drive, collecting coats, blankets and cold-weather gear for people in need. Donations were gathered during a community meetup at a Target store in La Plata, where residents dropped off items that were later distributed throughout Charles County and Baltimore.

“This year, we filled an entire car,” Thelma said. “It was overwhelming in the best way.”

Shawn said helping others has always been personal for him, shaped by earlier life experiences that exposed him to housing instability and hardship.

“When you’ve been close to homelessness or lived around it, you don’t see people as statistics,” Shawn said. “You see people who just need someone to care.”

When the federal shutdown disrupted paychecks and benefits for many households, the couple said it underscored how quickly families can find themselves in need — including those who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs.

“It wasn’t just for government workers,” Thelma said. “It was for anyone who needed a little extra help and didn’t know where to turn.”

The pantry was custom-built by Morton Made, a local woodworking business, after Thelma posted in a community Facebook group seeking help bringing the pantry idea to life. Thelma and Shawn paid $550 for the build, which was completed in about a week—and it exceeded their expectations.

Community Support

Within days of installation, donations began arriving steadily.

“Once the pantry went up, the community really took over,” Thelma said. “People just showed up with food and supplies.”

The pantry’s physical setup also reflects that community involvement. After the structure was installed, neighbors donated gravel to stabilize the area and improve access, while solar-powered lights were added so the pantry could be safely used after dark.

The pantry is stocked entirely through donations and typically includes shelf-stable foods, staples such as rice and canned goods, and household necessities like hygiene products, paper goods, and baby supplies when available. It is accessible without questions or requirements.

Shawn said one of the most important lessons has been letting go of judgment and focusing on compassion.

“When you give to the pantry, you’re offering someone a little relief—and maybe a little hope,” he said. “It’s not about who takes it or how much. This might be their only ride for the week. We’re here to understand, not to question.”

Holiday Giving Expanded The Reach

As the pantry gained visibility, additional community partnerships followed. Around the same time as the coat drive, Sparkle & Sass, a local dance studio in La Plata, organized a toy drive, collecting approximately 70 toys that were distributed to children in the community ahead of the holidays at the pantry

“It just kept growing,” Thelma said. “Every time we thought we were done, someone else wanted to help.” In addition to toys, community members also donated turkeys for Thanksgiving, allowing families using the pantry to prepare holiday meals.

A Quiet Place Of Connection

Thelma said the pantry has also become an unexpected place of connection, where neighbors who may never have crossed paths end up working side by side.

She recalled one afternoon when she and Shawn arrived home to find two women — strangers to one another — organizing the pantry together. One sorted items on the shelves while the other unpacked donation boxes. When Thelma thanked them, one of the women told her to go inside, relax and enjoy dinner with her family.

“That woman comes back every week,” Thelma said. “She’s like our pantry angel.”

Shawn said moments like that show how the pantry has grown beyond food assistance.

A Pantry Powered By Neighbors

Those who wish to donate food, household items, or other supplies are encouraged to contact Thelma directly through Facebook to coordinate donations or check current needs.

To help prevent unnecessary trips, she also posts daily updates, sharing what’s available and what’s running low. This keeps both visitors and donors informed before they head out.

Follow Thelma for pantry updates on Facebook here.

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