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Christalis Lilly's Gifts x LARS - Summer Food Drive 2026

When school ends, hunger doesn't.

LILLY'S GIFTS

Lilly's Gifts

Lilly’s Gifts provides basic needs, emergency items, and Christmas gifts to children and families in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Named after our founder's grandmother, who loved giving thoughtful presents to everyone, not just her family and friends, Lilly’s Gifts continues her legacy of generosity. Even after she passed away, her family found wrapped gifts in her room that she had already prepared for others. Inspired by her love of giving, Lilly’s Gifts has partnered with 7 organizations so far to help children and their families who would otherwise go without receive gifts and basic necessities. 

 

Lilly's Gifts is currently partnering with Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services (LARS) for a summer food drive to provide food for children in low-income families who do not have access to school meals during the summer.   

Summer Food Drive 2026

Collection Dates:  June 21st, 2026 - July 12th, 2026

Many children in our community rely on school for 2 meals a day. This summer, we are collecting food items for those children to ensure they don't go without. Families in Northern Prince George's, Western Anne Arundel, and Howard counties are among those most affected. Your donation of shelf-stable food items can bridge that gap and keep kids fed all summer long.

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Northern Prince George's County

One of Maryland's most densely populated counties with high rates of childhood food insecurity during summer months.

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Western Anne Arundel County

Many families in this area lack access to consistent nutrition resources when school meal programs are not in session.

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Howard County

Despite its affluence, significant pockets of Howard County face summer food gaps that leave children without reliable access to meals.

What To Donate

We are looking for individually wrapped or packaged food items that are child-friendly and shelf-stable.

Examples of simple food items that make a big difference: 

  • Fruit Snacks

  • Shelf-Stable Milk Boxes

  • Mac and Cheese Cups

  • Pudding Cups

  • Individually Packaged Pretzels

  • Meat Sticks or Protein Items

  • Juice Boxes

  • Instant Oatmeal Packets

  • Microwaveable Soup or Pasta Cups

  • Raisins and other Dried Fruit Snacks

  • Veggie Chips

Where To Donate

We are adding collection sites across Maryland. Check back here for the most up-to-date locations near you.

Central Maryland Chamber Conduit of Commerce - Hanover

1344 Ashton Rd. Suite 205, Hanover, MD 21076

M - F 9:30 AM - 4 PM

SPM Law - Columbia

8830 Stanford Blvd UNIT 312, Columbia, MD 21045

M - F 9 AM - 5 PM

Brooks Business Services - Burtonsville

3905 National Drive, Suite 375 Burtonsville, MD 20866

To schedule drop off please text: (240) 772-1131

Washington Adventist University - Takoma Park

7600 Flower Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

M - Th 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM F 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness - Crofton

2200 Defense Hwy #202, Crofton, MD 21114

M - Th 9 AM - 5 PM F 8 AM - 1 PM

Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness - Gaithersburg

818 W Diamond Ave Ste 110, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

M - Th 7 AM - 7 PM F 8 AM - 2 PM

Asili Hair Care Center

1862B Reisterstown Rd.
Pikesville, MD 21208

M Closed Tu-Sat 9 AM - 9 PM

Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness - Columbia

7130 Minstrel Way # LL110, Columbia, MD 21045

M - F 9 AM - 3:30 PM

Tomenko Family Dentistry - Silver Spring

10230 New Hampshire Ave #330, Silver Spring, MD 20903

M - F 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness - Severna Park

877 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Ste 111, Severna Park, MD 21146

M - F 9 AM - 5 PM

Montpelier Family Dentistry - Laurel

14502 Greenview Dr, #100
Laurel, MD 20708

M - Th 9 AM - 4 PM

Zoom out on map to see all locations.

If you cant find a drop off location that works for you please contact us and we will try our best to coordinate a pick up.

Help Us Spread The Word

Help us reach more families and feed more children this summer! Click the button below to share the flyer to your social media, or send it to friends, family, and coworkers.

Can't Donate an Item? That's Okay!

You can still make a difference by supporting our food drive virtually! Click below to donate, and just leave a note letting us know it's for the Christalis Food Drive so we can put your gift right to work.

Our Partnership

This food drive is made possible through a collaboration between Christalis and LARS — two organizations committed to serving families in need. 

 

Christalis — A nonprofit that supports underprivileged children by providing basic needs and equipping their families with resources to achieve long-term stability.

LARS (Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services) — Serving low-income families in Maryland since 1970 through food assistance, advocacy, and community support.

Two organizations, one mission. Our organizations hold the strong belief that no child deserves to go hungry. Support us by donating today.

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Past Projects

Past Projects & Collaborations

​​We have provided Christmas gifts to:

We also collected items for children and families of Afghan evacuees aided by Afghans At Risk under the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Allies Welcome program (Quantico & Fort Lee Locations). 

Lilly's Gifts 2013 - 86_edited.jpg
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