Quarterly CFR Member Highlight: The UpCounty Hub

We are highlighting the Upcounty Hub this quarter in our e-newsletter. We spoke with Marko Rivera-Oven to learn more about this non-profit and the work they do in Montgomery County. Here is what Marko shared with us. 

How was your organization founded/what is its origin story? 

In March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Rivera-Oven and her son, Marko Rivera-Oven, saw the need for assistance in Upper Montgomery County and began collecting donations in their garage. As the need grew, the Hub started having drive-thru distributions at centralized locations in the community where people could pick up boxes and bags of food and other essentials without showing any documentation. At one point, it was helping to serve individuals and families in other areas of the county as well. Because of its philosophy of being inclusive and eliminating barriers, the Upcounty Hub has quickly became a model that has since been replicated seven times throughout Montgomery County.

What services (food or otherwise) does your organization provide?

Social Services, Home Deliveries, Emergency Assistance, Drive-thru distributions, hygiene items and diapers.

What is your position and how did you get involved in your organization?

My mother founded the organization in her garage and I helped grow the organization where it is today.

What is/has been your organization’s most memorable donation from Community Food Rescue?

We received 20 pallets of lettuce during the pandemic.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your organization’s experience as part of the CFR network?

CFR has been very helpful and we look forward to reaching out with more farms and support the idea of eliminating food waste.

In addition to the UpCounty Hub, Community Food Rescue has 241 donors, 123 recipient organizations and 218 volunteer food runners year-to-date.