A CFR Success Story: So What Else & ISKCON 

We want to share just one of many success stories made possible by the Community Food Rescue network and bulk donation feature in ChowMatch. One of our integral CFR network partners, So What Else (SWE), is both a CFR donor and recipient who took a more active role in CFR back in July. Since July, SWE has tested out the bulk donation feature offering items such as cucumbers, potatoes, juice, apples, and sliced bread. Through these bulk donation offerings, SWE was able to supply donations to CFR recipient, ISKCON. Continue reading to learn more about ISKCON. 

Here’s what Sharmila from ISKCON has to say about this partnership: 

 “Being part of ChowMatch recipients, we were introduced to SWE. SWE has helped us tremendously to provide fresh, hot, nutritious vegetarian meals to the homeless shelters and those experiencing food insecurity in Montgomery County. We are very appreciative of all the help we get from SWE to provide these wholesome meals to the needy. Thank you.” 

Megan Joe, Executive Director of Hunger Relief at SWE also praises these new partnerships, saying: 

 “Chowmatch has been a fantastic way for us to connect to new organizations. Since creating more bulk offers on Chowmatch, we’ve met many other groups in Montgomery County doing amazing work. This is wonderful because it is important for us to have as many partners as possible so that when we get large amounts of one single items, we can blast out the offer to all Montgomery County recipients. We are grateful for the new partnerships we’ve gained through Chowmatch including partnerships with ISKCON, Islamic Society of the Washington Area, Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington, and First Alliance Church. We are eager to continue posting bulk offers and building partnerships with more new organizations.” 

About ISKCON 

ISKCON of DC is a faith-based non-profit inspired to reawaken the true blissful nature in all of us through the education and culture of Bhakti Yoga. ISKCON of DC offers opportunities for individual and social change through meditation, spiritual music, vegetarian food programs, and access to literature on philosophy and self-empowerment. They are grateful that they have been given the opportunity to provide fresh, hot, nutritious vegetarian meals to those experiencing food insecurity in Montgomery County, including regular distribution to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Priscilla House, and Becky’s House. Additionally, they offer free lunch every day at their temple for all who visit. You can visit ISKCON’s website at iskconofdc.org to learn more. 

About So What Else 

So What Else’s mission is to improve the lives of children and families living in underserved communities in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area by providing food security, access to basic necessities, and high-quality out-of-school time programs in literacy, athletics, and the visual and performing arts while inspiring young people to give back to the community by creating volunteer opportunities for individuals of all ages. You can visit So What Else’s website at www.sowhatelse.org to learn more.