A new shed with a packed fridge and pantry shelves stocked with canned goods sits outside of Rachell L. Gray Community Foundation in Elkridge.

It’s one of three new community fridges and pantries as part of Howard County’s new Pocket Pantry program.

“Today, in the midst of the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history, the uncertainty of SNAP benefits and the compound rising cost from the grocery store, to housing, to energy, our residents need help now more than ever,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Howard County launched the Pocket Pantry program Monday. Aside from the one in Elkridge, they will also have a Pocket Pantry at Long Reach Village Center in Columbia and Heritage Realty Services in Lisbon.

The pantry is a place where people can get the food the

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