Bay Community Health mini pantry has opened in West River, giving residents in southern Anne Arundel County free access to food at any hour. The new site works without paperwork, appointments or questions, making help easier for families facing food insecurity. The pantry opened Friday and became the 10th location in the Priority Partners Cupboards Project, as noted by Baltimore Chronicle.
Free food access without barriers
The project follows a simple community model: “Take what you need, leave what you can.” Its goal is to make healthy food available where people already seek support, including clinics and neighborhood organizations.
Dr. Erica Johnson, CEO of Bay Community Health, said the pantry reflects a wider view of public health.
“Access to nutritious food plays a critical role in overall health and food insecurity remains a challenge for many individuals and families in our community,” Johnson said.
The pantry is designed for everyday use, not only emergencies. Residents can take food when they need it, while neighbors may also leave items for others. That quiet exchange is what makes the project both practical and deeply local.
Why the pantry matters in south county
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said the new pantry is especially important for rural areas where poverty can be less visible. He noted that Lothian and nearby parts of south county have some of the county’s highest poverty concentrations.
The main features of the new pantry include:
- 24/7 access for local residents;
- no paperwork or eligibility checks;
- free food support near health services;
- community donations through a neighbor-to-neighbor model;
- a focus on food insecurity in rural Anne Arundel County.
This model removes one of the biggest barriers for working families: timing. People who cannot visit during office hours can still get basic food support when they need it most.
Key details about the new pantry
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Bay Community Health, West River, Maryland |
| Access | Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Program | Priority Partners Cupboards Project |
| Pantry number | 10th project location |
| Main purpose | Expanding food access in southern Anne Arundel County |
Bay Community Health also received 2 declarations during the event, one from the County Executive Office and one from the Sheriff’s Department. Officials and community leaders presented the pantry as a partnership between health care, local government and nonprofit organizations.
A small cupboard with a wider mission
Kathy Pettway, senior director of Priority Partners, said small acts of kindness can have a major impact when communities face food insecurity. Johnson also stressed that the cupboard is more than food. It represents cooperation between health providers, agencies, community leaders and local residents.
For southern Anne Arundel County, the pantry adds a practical safety net in a familiar place. It also underlines a broader point: health does not begin only in an exam room, but also with stable access to nutritious food.
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