Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Secure $750,000 in Federal Funding for Food Rescue Bank

This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) visited local nonprofit So What Else for its Six-Year Anniversary Open House, where he recognized the organization's anniversary and highlighted $750,000 in FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending that he and U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) delivered for the organization's Food Rescue Bank. At the event, Senator Van Hollen spoke on the impact So What Else has had over the last six years and noted how the federal investment Team Maryland worked to secure will support the expansion of food rescue and distribution efforts, allowing them to serve an additional 2,500 families per week in Montgomery, Frederick, and Prince George's Counties, as well as Baltimore City.

"As costs rise, many families are struggling to put food on the table. We fought to secure this federal funding for the expansion of So What Else's food assistance program to support more Marylanders who are having a tough time making ends meet. This investment will help more Marylanders feed their families and get on a path toward greater economic stability," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"1 in 8 Marylanders are food insecure. Our communities cannot thrive if our people are not fed. That is why I am so proud to have worked with Senator Van Hollen to secure $750,000 in federal investment for So What Else's Rescue Food Bank, allowing them to now serve an additional 2,500 families across Maryland. I am grateful that So What Else can continue their critical work feeding Maryland families," said Senator Angela Alsobrooks.

"April 18 marked a monumental milestone for So What Else, bringing together six years of impact with a shared commitment at the federal and state level to address hunger and reduce food waste. We are deeply grateful to U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks for their leadership and investment in this work," said Dave Silbert, Executive Director of So What Else.

The lawmakers secured these investments within the government funding bills passed and signed into law for Fiscal Year 2026.