a registered nonprofit agency since 1991

Who We Are

Our Mission
We strive to lead efforts in alleviating hunger in communities by linking vital resources to families and individuals in need.

(click here to read)
Established in 1991, our grassroots, nonprofit organization exists as a safety net for the working poor. We have become the last stop when traditional support programs fail or turn them away. No paperwork, no judgements, no rejections and no waiting.
We offer immediate help directly to families and individuals or by assisting caseworkers, clergy and community activists. d goods and services are the core of our programs and allow us to support over 100 recipient agencies and charitable organizations.

Since we opened our doors in 1991, we have delivered over 27 million pounds of life sustaining aid since our inception. (We increased from 1.65 in 2009 to 2.1 in 2010.)

In 2010, over 150 volunteers contributed 25,838 hours of time, valued at $444,155. Volunteers who assist with the various Food Link programs collect d items from area grocers, restaurants, caterers and individuals and distribute these products to recipient agencies and directly to those in need.

Our Board of Directors
OFFICERS:
Kathy Nellius, President
(2010 Board)
Linda K. Wetz, Secretary
(2004 Board)
ARINC Charitable Team
ARINC Inc./Rockwell Collins
Alli Holstrom, Vice President
(2012 Board)


 Faye Currie, Financial Secretary
(2010 Board)
MEMBERS:
Deborah K. Daughterty (2014 Board)


 Jacqueline Lanier, LCSW-C (2008 Board)
Gail Feirstein (2003 Board)
Email Gail

 Bruce A. White (2014 Board)
Marie Friedland (2007 Board)


Suzette Langley, LCSW, PCC (2014 Board)


 EX-OFFICIO:
Cathy L. Bird, Executive Director
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(C):
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Publicity - Lisa Seborowski



Our Staff

You can contact Cathy
at.
Our Executive Director
Cathy L. Holstrom-Bird
Cathy is a native Marylander and has lived in Anne Arundel County for twenty years. She has strong ties to the community and believes strongly in giving back. Joining Food Link as the Program Director in 1993, she became the Executive Director in 2001.
"What we do isn't glamorous but it is absolutely life sustaining to our struggling neighbors. Hunger doesn't discriminate and neither does Food Link. It is no small thing to touch a life and we know that every single day, our programs help families, individuals, children and the elderly. More than food and other essentials, we provide nourishment, comfort and hope."

You can contact Paula
at.
Our DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER OPERATIONS
Paula D. Gordon
Paula is a midwesterner who moved to the Annapolis area in 1991. She joined Food Link in 1995 as Director of Volunteer Operations. "I have the best job in the world. It is very rewarding to work with these wonderful people who give their time and talents to help their struggling neighbors. All throughout the county these volunteers bring nourishment and hope to families in need. I feel honored to work with them and consider them my heroes. They are the heart and soul of Food Link and are why we succeed in our mission to alleviate hunger in our community."

Meet Some of Paula's Volunteers!



HIGHLIGHTING: KATHY NELLIUS
Kathy Nellius began volunteering for Food Link in 1999 when her youngest child was 6 months old. At that time, she was a stay-at-home mother with three young children and was looking for a way to help her neighbors in need in a meaningful way. Food Link was just the organization that Kathy was looking for - they were rescuing food that would otherwise be thrown away and delivering it to hungry people who could use it, while operating on a shoestring budget with an army of volunteers. It was a "win-win" situation. Over the past 13 years, Kathy has seen first hand how all the programs at Food Link, from the Emergency Baby Pantry to the Wholesale Produce Distribution to the Crisis/Caring Connection, reach so many of our neighbors in need.

Kathy has worn many volunteer hats at Food Link. For many years she collected food at a grocery store and delivered it to a local group home. She has also maintained Emergency Baby Pantry donation boxes at area pediatricians' offices, served on the silent auction committee for the annual Blue Jean Bash, run food drives, and served on the Board of Directors. Kathy is a strong supporter of Food Link because she believes in our mission of helping our neighbors in need with no red tape.

Originally from Erie, Pennslyvania, Kathy graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in Computer Science and worked as a Management Consultant for Price Waterhouse for many years before beginning her second career as a mother and community volunteer. She lives in Annapolis with her husband, Dan, and their three children.


HIGHLIGHTING: FAYE B. CURRIE
A native of Annapolis, Faye is a graduate of St. Mary's High School, Annapolis, where she's still active on the school's alumni board. She attended Anne Arundel Community College and completed The American Institute of Banking Courses. Faye is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the proud parent of two sons, Theandre a Project Manager for Vision Technologies and Jordan an Annapolis High Girls' varsity soccer coach.

Faye has many years of financial service experience with an extensive background in retail banking. She is currently employed as a Vice President/Branch Mgr. CFG Community Bank-Annapolis. Faye began her banking career in 1985 with Second National Federal Savings Bank. Her knowledge of the local banking market comes from over 25yrs in the financial industry throughout Anne Arundel County. Faye has managed consumer and business deposit portfolios for a variety of banking institutions also including Signet Bank, Farmers Bank of MD/First Virginia Bank and Suburban Federal Savings Bank.

Faye's active in the local community with human services with a focus on youth. Food Link of Maryland was a fit perfectly when she began as a board member and now Financial Secretary. Food Link readily links vital resources to people in need throughout Maryland. She's a current Trustee for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and also serves as the Financial Secretary for the Rock for Youth Campaign providing 5 full scholarships to deserving disadvantage students to attend AACC. Also, she's the current Treasurer for The Annapolis Jaguars Youth Athletics, an organization which combines fundamental basketball skills and an emphasis on maintaining high education standards. Faye has in her past life, implemented an on-site school banking program at Crofton elementary school, with the purpose of developing children's saving habits and by creating financially responsible adults.