CFR Recipient Spotlight: Interfaith Works Residences

For July’s blog post, we reached out to Wendy Smith (left), Program Director/volunteer Coordinator of Interfaith Works Residences (IWR.) The Community Food Rescue team has been working with Wendy since this past April, when a regular food run from Chick-Fil-A on Tech Road was directed to the residences. This generous food run was made possible by Food Donation Connection, an international organization that facilitates the rescue of prepared food, connecting it with food assistance providers serving populations experiencing food insecurity. These donations illustrate the collective effort that goes into food recovery, exemplifying how national and county-level programs can work together to address food waste and food insecurity. Read on to learn more about the work of Interfaith Works Residences and their experience as a regular CFR recipient.  

About IW/IWR 

Wendy shared with us the origin story of Interfaith Works, “Interfaith Works (IW) was founded in 1972 by local faith communities who saw Montgomery County residents in need and felt collaborative action was the best way to help them. Interfaith Works is not a religious organization, but we maintain the spirit of striving to provide Montgomery County residents in need with the best possible assistance through our various programs.” 

She then told us that IW has been serving Montgomery County for 52 years! 2022 marked IW’s 50th year serving Montgomery County. Over the last half-century, they have gained insight into how they can best carry out our mission and they have redefined their approach to pursuing this mission. 

Wendy told us about the services provided by IW. They are “a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, essential needs, and employment programs to over 35,000 residents of Montgomery County, MD, every year. The mission of Interfaith Works is to support our neighbors in need by providing vital services and a pathway to greater stability.” 

About her own role at IW, Wendy shared, “I am the Program Director/Volunteer Coordinator for IWR. I started with Interfaith Works in 2019 as a Program Support Staff member in the Interfaith Works Overflow program. In December of 2020, I became the Case Manager for the Interfaith Works residences program. I held that position until May of 2023.” 

IW/IWR & CFR: 

IWR has been receiving food donations through CFR since April of 2024. They are one of seven Interfaith Works recipient locations in CFR alongside the Interfaith Works food pantry, Becky’s House, Priscilla’s House, the Women’s Center in Derwood, the Women’s Center in Rockville, New Leaf Shelter, and Lon’s House.

Wendy shared this about their most memorable food donations, “The most memorable donations are Chick-fil-A Mondays!!! Our clients love Monday. We have clients coming into the office, waiting outside for the donation to arrive, and planning their meals out. Clients asked to schedule the appointments around the donations to make sure they are there. Mondays are truly very special at IWR.” 

She also said this of our partnership, “The CFR network has helped Interfaith Works (IW) serve many meals to homeless clients, clients in Shared supportive and Permanent supportive houses. We are very grateful for all the donations we receive. I know the clients really love fresh fruit and vegetables, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, etc. We are grateful to be a recipient of this CFR.”  

We wouldn’t be able to accomplish CFR’s mission to “Feed More and Waste Less” without the hard work from all the partners who make it possible including national organizations like Food Donation Connection, our generous donors like Chick-Fil-A on Tech Road, regular volunteers like Paul, and dedicated partners with IWR and Wendy, and committed Manna staff. This is just one of numerous success stories from the CFR network. If you want to be part of this rewarding work by joining CFR, visit the CFR website email FoodResources@mannafood.org and we can help you get signed up.