Unemployment Data
We understand the impact COVID-19 has on our residents. Although the number of residents who have filed for unemployment is going down, our residents may still be looking for financial help during this difficult time.
The Howard County Office of Workforce Development is here to help connect residents to employers and jobs available in Howard County. Visit their new portal here.
In an effort to reduce wait times and provide claimants with an efficient and hassle-free filing process, the Maryland Department of Labor's Division of Unemployment Insurance has implemented a new system when it comes to filing for unemployment.
To help residents better understand the process and what to expect when filing for unemployment, my office put together this informative guide. To learn more and/or for more information, visit mdunemployment.com.
Mortgage Information
Maryland has temporarily prohibited evictions of homeowners who are suffering from a loss of income due to COVID-19.
There are resources available to help homeowners pay their mortgages and understand their rights under the State of Emergency. Under the Governor’s Executive Order, homeowners will receive up to a 90-day forbearance period or deferral period for mortgage payments. I encourage residents to be safe and understand the current protections in place to help.
For more information, please call the Office of Consumer Rights at (410) 313-6420.
Food Distribution Site(s)
There are many different food resources throughout the county, through the Howard County government, community partners, including schools, local food bank, and generous residents who are working to ensure no one goes hungry during this time.
Howard County Public School Systems Grab N Go meals are available Monday-Friday from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm for anyone under 18, no pre-registration needed. Locations include:
· Bushy Park Elementary School, 14601 Carrs Mill Road, Glenwood
· Cradlerock Elementary School/Lake Elkhorn Middle School, 6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
· Deep Run Elementary School, 6925 Old Waterloo Road, Elkridge
· Ducketts Lane Elementary School, 6501 Ducketts Lane, Elkridge
· Hollifield Station Elementary School, 8701 Stonehouse Drive, Ellicott City
· Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City
· Laurel Woods Elementary School, 9250 North Laurel Road, Laurel
· Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia
· Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia
· Talbott Springs Elementary School, 9550 Basket Ring Road, Columbia
· Wilde Lake Middle School, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
Community Locations: (Weekend meals not provided at community locations)
· Forest Ridge Apartments, 5890 Stevens Forest Rd, Columbia
· Monarch Mills Apartments, 7600 Monarch Mills Way, Columbia
· Bethel Christian Academy, Campus 1, 8455 Savage Guilford Rd., Savage
Department of Community Resources and Services is currently offering Grab-N-Go food distribution for eligible older adults at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, located at 9401 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Distribution is held on Thursdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for registered residents.
Howard County Food Bank is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 1 – 4 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon at 9385 Gerwig Lane in Columbia. The Food Bank is providing pre-packaged bags of food to clients and new clients should bring identification and proof of Howard County residency for their first visit.
Wed 5-8 by appt only
Sat 9-12 by appt only
They will give you prepackaged food (instead of shopping in the food bank)
9385 Gerwig Lane
Columbia 21046
IONHoCo Pop Up Food Pantry operates daily through May 3 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia. Call 410-340-0529 for information or to donate.
Columbia Community Cares is providing grab and go bags of food, and other essential supplies such as diapers, at the following locations, Monday – Friday, 11 a.m - 1:30 p.m:
· Cradlerock Elementary School/Lake Elkhorn Middle School, 6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
· Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City
· Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia
· Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia
· Wilde Lake Middle School, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
Columbia Community Cares provides can provide home deliveries to families who lack transportation or may have a medical concern that limits their ability to leave their home. Any families who cannot go personally to pick up free food at any of their locations but are in need of accessing food, should fill out the following questionnaire:
*Please note that it may take 10-15 days for the food to arrive.
Salvation Army hosting a monthly pop-up pantry, May 20, and June 17th, at 3267 Pine Orchard Lane, Ellicott City from 1 -3 p.m. They will have fresh produce along with canned goods, please bring proof of Howard County residency.
MISSION 19 is a brand new nonprofit in Fulton focused on battling childhood hunger and helping families meet other basic needs. Families needing support should fill out this form per the link on the bottom of their homepage. From there, mission19 will contact the family and provide available resources.
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This service is intended to assist Howard County citizens that cannot leave their homes during the COVID-19 crisis and are having trouble getting groceries delivered in a timely fashion. To get started · 1. Place your order for PICKUP with any Howard County Safeway, Harris Teeter, or Walgreens (Medications only) · 2. Please setup a pickup date and time at least 24 hours from now · 3. Once you place your order, please fill out the form below · When form is completed, a representative from Howard County REACT will touch base with you shortly · If you are having trouble placing your request, please call 410.782.0432
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FISH Emergency Services: · Food (7-10 day supply delivered to clients’ homes) · Limited financial aid for: -Rent -Utilities - Fuel Oil - Other Emergencies · Financial aid for Prescriptions · Personal hygiene, laundry, paper supplies · Follow-up calls to clients with ongoing needs · Information & Referral
· Call and leave message for return call. |
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Bridgeway Community Cupboard |
9189 Red Branch Road Columbia, MD 21045 |
2nd & 4th Saturday 9:30 AM -11:30 AM |
410-992-5832 (currently drive thru only) |
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Celebration Church |
6080 Foreland Garth Columbia, MD 21045 |
Friday 5:30 pm-6:30 pm |
410-997-2088 |
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The Multiservice Center |
9900 Washington Blvd, Suite I Laurel, MD 20723 |
open 1st and 3rd Saturday from 9-2 and Mon-Thurs 12-4, dry goods only
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410-313-0220 |
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FIRN (Foreign-born Information and Referral Network, Inc.) |
5999 Harpers Farm Road, Suite E-200, Columbia, MD 21044 |
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am-5pm (by appointment) |
410-992-1923 |
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Howard County Food Bank |
9385 Gerwig Lane, Suite J, Columbia, MD 21046 |
T, W, Th, 12pm-4pm, Wed, 5pm-8pm, Sat 9am-12pm, by appointment only |
410-313-6185 |
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Mt. Pisgah AME Church |
5901 Cedar Fern Court, Columba, MD 21045 |
Mon-Thursday 6pm-8pm |
301-596-0936 |
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Mt. Zion United Methodist Church |
12430 Scaggsville Road, Highland, MD 20777 |
3rd Saturday of Month, 9am-11am |
301-854-2324 |
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Glenelg United Methodist Church |
13900 Burntwoods Road, Glenelg, MD 21737 |
3rd Saturday of Month, 9am-11am |
410-489-7260 |
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Dasher Green Head Start Center |
6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 |
Thursday 4pm-5pm |
410-313-6210 |
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Ellicott City Head Start Center |
8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
Wednesday 4pm-5pm |
410-313-6440 |
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Old Cedar Lane Head Start Center |
5451 Beaverkill Road, Columbia, MD 21045 |
Tuesday 3pm-4pm |
410-313-7246 |
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Bryant Woods Elementary School |
5450 Blue Heron Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 |
Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30am-2:30pm |
410-313-6859 |
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Solomons Porch Worship Center |
10545 Guilford Road, Suite 104, Jessup, MD 20794 |
Tuesday 12:30pm-9pm, Thursday 12:30pm-6pm, Saturday 12pm-6pm, (Appointment needed 7pm-9pm), Sunday 12:30pm-2pm |
240-360-0278 |
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Oakland Mills High School |
9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia, MD 21045 |
Last Thursday of Month, 3pm-5pm |
410-313-6945 (Please bring any form of ID) |
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Longfellow Elementary School |
5470 Hesperus Drive, Columbia, MD 21044 |
Tuesdays 9am-2:30pm |
410-313-6879 |
Health Coverage
The Maryland Health Connection issued a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment open to uninsured Marylanders who need health coverage during the Governor’s State of Emergency.
Free help is available by calling 1-855-642-8572 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. I encourage you to share this with your family, friends, and neighbors who may be in need of this important information.
Pop-up Pantries:
The following pop-up pantries are open to the public and will each take place from noon to 3:00 p.m. (OR until all the food is gone) on their designated day:
*June 3rd, The Seasons Apartments, 9220 Old Lantern Way, Laurel, MD 20723
*June 5th, Chatham Gardens, 3332 N Chatham Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042
*June 10th, Port Capital Village, 7141 Beverly Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075
*June 12th, Howard Crossing, 8732 Town and Country Blvd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
*June 17th, The Seasons Apartments, 9220 Old Lantern Way, Laurel, MD 20723
*June 19th, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
*June 24th, Port Capital Village, 9220 Old Lantern Way, Laurel, MD 20723
*June 26th, Howard Crossing, 8732 Town and Country Blvd, Ellicott City, MD 21043