Melwood Partners with Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc. to Donate Food and Assistance in Response to COVID-19

UPPER MARLBORO, MD, June 15, 2020 – Melwood is proud to have recently partnered with Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc. to provide hundreds of family meal kits, hand sanitizers, and important career and health resources to residents of Prince George’s County.

On Saturday, June 13 at Melwood’s headquarters in Upper Marlboro, more than 50 Friendship Charities and Melwood volunteers provided meals and supplies to hundreds families as they drove by and opened their trunks for COVID-19-safe distribution. All volunteers wore masks, practiced social distancing, and adhered to CDC guidelines.

According to Melwood President and CEO Cari DeSantis, “Melwood was founded on three key principles: innovation, inclusion and social good. Now, more than ever, it is critical to support our local communities and do whatever we can to ensure that families’ basic needs are met.”

Tiresias McCall of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity added,“On behalf of Basileus Steven Walls, Friendship Charities Foundation and Gamma Pi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. we were blessed and honored with the privilege of being able to stand beside and with Melwood to serve their employees and constituents. We understand the value of everyone but specifically how much of an honor it is to serve individuals with disabilities. We look forward to serving with you again.”

Over the past two months, Melwood has also donated thousands of vegetable and flowering plants grown by people of differing abilities to DMV area hospitals, food pantries, group homes and nursing homes.

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About Melwood

Melwood is one of the largest employers of people of differing abilities in the country, employing more than 1,600 workers – nearly 1,000 of whom are people of differing abilities. Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,500 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also provides employment and support services to veterans and active-duty military members who have experienced service-related trauma or injury. For more information, visit www.Melwood.org.