On Friday, October 8, 2021, the Black Rock Upcounty Food Distibution Hub, under the dynamic direction of Ms. Grace Rivera-Oven, officially opened their new office & distribution center located at the Southwest end of the Sydney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center on the corner of Middlebrook & Germantown Roads.  Norm & Elsie Gordon were in attendance representing Germantown Global Connection.

After several speeches recognizing the significance of the event, Ms. Rivera-Oven along with County Executive Mark Elrich, County Councilmembers Nancy Navarro & Gabe Albornoz and other community leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the facility (relocated from the Black Rock Arts Center), which currently provides some 1,200 poverty-stricken families a week in the upcounty area with culturally-appropriate groceries, baby supplies, produce, and other household items.

A special recognition went to all the organizations which have partnered with the Hub over the last year and a half since the pandemic began.  The two organizations which had contributed most with respect to volunteer help were Rockville-based Kindworks and Germantown Global Connection.  GGC spearheaded much of the work of drivers who picked up boxes of food and delivered them directly to those unable to get to food distribution points.  Kindworks volunteers did deliveries and also packed the boxes earlier in the week.

The Germantown Global Connection, along with other partner organizations, received a certificate of appreciation signed by County Executive Mark Elrich (from right to left: Norm Gordon, Denise Schleckser of Kind Works, County Executive Mark Elrich, Upcounty Hub Director Grace Rivera-Oven).

The certificate says:

“The County Executive of Montgomery County, MD, awards this certificate to Germantown Global Connection in recognition and appreciation for your partnership and dedication to the health and well-being of our neighbors in the Upcounty region of Germantown, Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg among others.  Germantown Global Connection has been instrumental in our collaboration to provide for the greater safety, health, and food security of our Upcounty neighbors during the Covid-19 pandemic.  We owe a debt of gratitude for your service in this effort.”

Representatives of the partner organizations received a tour of the new facility, a chance to meet and greet the whole staff at the hub, and a concert after the ceremony in the amphitheater of the Black Rock Arts Center.

Thank you to all those who volunteered as drivers over the last 18 months.  Your contribution has not gone unnoticed and this County appreciates your part in the welfare of its citizens during this pandemic!

Bravo, GGC!