Food insecurity is both a frightening topic and a growing reality—right here in Frederick County. Valerie Moore sees people struggling to afford food every day. “As a mom, I can’t imagine waking up each morning unsure if my children will have enough to eat.
I think about families forced to make impossible choices: rent or medication, groceries or the power bill. No one should have to live that way.”
Frederick County is a wonderful place to live. It’s diverse, generous, and rich in community spirit. And through every season—economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and everyday hardship—you have enabled the Mission to show up without pause. We serve breakfast and lunch 365 days a year. There are no holidays, no snowstorms, no crises that cause us to close our doors. As Valerie has often said: no one in Frederick County should EVER go hungry.
Valerie is stepping into her new role as Director of Food Distribution and Facilities, marking 13 years of faithful service at the Mission. She’s seen our food program grow from a small bread aisle in a basement to a beautiful, purpose-built Food Distribution Center with ample storage and expanded reach. Today, groceries are not only shared on our campus but distributed through schools and community partners across the county.
Along the way, Valerie has grown in her understanding of what the complexity of human nature and society really means. Many are doing their very best but lack the support they need to thrive. Hunger doesn’t exist in a silo, and neither can the solutions. We need community.
What Valerie treasures most isn’t just growth in square footage or the number of meals served—it’s the people. Neighbors who once came for groceries and now stop by just to say hello after their situation has improved. Guests who now volunteer regularly. Seniors who arrive every Friday morning and welcome Valerie into what has become their built-in community. For her, it’s about helping with not just the food, but with what it means, and not just counting the meals.
Valerie often says she sees Jesus at the Mission every day—watching God’s Word come to life in a very modern, very tangible way. As she steps into this expanded leadership role, her goals are clear: continue enhancing the guest experience and increase our outreach even further into Frederick County.
She’s also quick to share her gratitude. The Food Distribution Center operates with a lean staff, and volunteers make this work possible. Their time, compassion, and dedication are the heartbeat of the program. Because of supporters like you—and leaders like Valerie—our community is stronger, more connected, and more hopeful. Thank you for standing with us as we continue the work of ensuring that no one in Frederick County goes hungry.
