LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — As Christmas comes back around for 2024, Southern Maryland is giving back to its community through festivals and volunteer opportunities. Mike’s Food Fund organizes a food drive every year to provide dinners for those in need.
As part of the charitable event, a turkey, along with canned goods and a bag of potatoes, was donated to each family to ensure those in low-income households could have a proper Christmas dinner.
Mike’s Food Fund aimed to distribute 1,000 meals to the St. Mary’s County community in 2024. Thanks to the kind hearts of more than 100 volunteers and Mike Schwartz, the food drive reached this impressive goal. Speaking to The BayNet, Schwartz commended the efforts of local volunteers and donors. He said, “It’s all the generosity of the people of St. Mary’s County.”
Several notable individuals regularly contribute to Mike’s Food Fund by volunteering their time to help organize these essential food drives. They include:
- Tom McKay – Provides trucks for delivery
- Brigid Kenney – Administrator
- Shell Shubrooks-Jackson – Liaison with Zion United Methodist Church
- Idolia Shubrooks – Personal inspiration to Mike Schwartz
Feeding 1,000 families has become more challenging in recent years due to the increased cost of food in Maryland. The price of basic items needed for a Christmas dinner jumped from $20 to $35 per meal in 2022. Fortunately, St. Mary’s County is home to many generous people, enabling Mike’s Food Fund to meet its goal once again in 2024.
Volunteers helped provide reliable delivery to each family, ensuring that everyone received their food in time for Christmas. Due to the generosity of many Southern Maryland residents—and even those beyond the state—1,022 families received dinners this holiday season.
Mike Schwartz is one of the key figures behind the community food drive. He has been helping organize events like this since 1983. As the owner of Mike’s Bikes, Schwartz’s commitment to providing everyone with the Christmas celebration they deserve is truly inspiring.
Much of Schwartz’s desire to help others stems from his own life experiences. He recalled, “In February 1983, I had a big house fire. I pretty much lost everything I owned. A guy named Don Kingsley helped me out.” Through his hardship and the kindness he received from Kingsley, Schwartz realized he could also help others who were struggling.
Through his efforts and the generosity of St. Mary’s County, Mike’s Food Fund has fed thousands of families during various holiday seasons, in addition to donating food to local church pantries weekly.
Though the Christmas dinner donations are successfully completed for 2024, you can follow the Mike’s Food Fund Facebook page to stay updated on future volunteer opportunities. Mike’s Food Fund provides food for those in need year-round, as Schwartz’s mission goes beyond Christmas. Donations can be sent to Mike’s Food Fund at 21310C Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
Speaking about his weekly food pantry donations, Schwartz noted that they often receive enough funding to continue helping people in need beyond the holidays. “The people in this county are so generous we have extra money left over,” he said. Schwartz provides a way to connect volunteers with meaningful causes.
The Christmas season is a time for reflection on what we have, and people like Mike Schwartz remind us that we can always give back to others through acts of generosity and kindness.
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God Bless You Mike, Though you may be cranky on the surface, you have a heart of gold deep inside.
I remember back in 1994 I had recently left an abusive marriage and my brother was struggling to get off drugs. We had a tiny apartment and barely paid the bills. That year we were so broke we couldn’t buy Thanksgiving dinner. But thanks to Mike Schwartz and generous donors, we were provided a complete Thanksgiving meal. We were so grateful. This kindness encouraged us to work hard to have better lives.
I went on to find my soul mate. I have been married almost 30 years and have a beautiful child. My brother succeeded at getting off drugs, married and had children as well.
Merry Christmas, Mike Schwartz & Everybody!