Food Truck Stops In Bethesda To Feed Homeless, Low Income

David

A popular local food truck on Monday cooked up sandwiches, slaw and baked beans for some of Bethesda’s most vulnerable homeless and low-income people.

For some who have lived on the streets for years, it was the first time in a long time they’ve been in a position to simply read off a menu.

Curley’s BBQ cooked up chicken, beef and pork barbecue for Monday’s regular gathering of the Bethesda Cares meals program. Twice a month, the nonprofit provides food to the homeless and working poor in a small house behind the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Old Georgetown Road.

On this occasion, Curley’s BBQ owner David “Curley” Cornblatt showed up with his yellow truck ready to dish out about 50 free meals.

The appearance came out of a local office park’s donation drive in August to benefit clients of Bethesda Cares.

With Bethesda Cares at the Rock Spring Park Market, market organizers challenged patrons to donate items or money (with $1 counting as one “item”) in order to extend the market season.

Organizer Stacee Longenecker reported that patrons donated $404 and 345 items (mainly toiletries, food and clothing) for a total of 749 donations. That means the food truck-heavy market was extended into September.

It also meant free barbecue for Bethesda Cares’ clients as Cornblatt pledged to match the donations of his market patrons.

Bethesda Cares Development Director Amy Freeman said the meals program provides about 13,500 meals a year. Bethesda Cares provides the food at a number of church spaces around Bethesda once a week during the week and on weekends.

Cornblatt, who cooks 75 meals a month for the a homeless shelter in Rockville, said he quickly got over any stigma about the homeless and working poor.

“They aren’t outcasts. They are real people. This is us,” Cornblatt said. “Today was more of an excuse to connect with a different group. I see the smiles on these peoples’ faces and it’s priceless.”

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up