Community Services

Our Programs

CARES
GEDCO’s CARES serves families and individuals in crisis by connecting our clients with resources that enable movement toward self-sufficiency. These resources include employment, food, and emergency financial assistance services.

CARES continues to be run by an extremely dedicated team consisting of one full-time and one part-time employee, as well as over 100 volunteers, with the generous support and food donations made by GEDCO’s network of over 56 Member Organizations, individuals, schools, corporations, government agencies, and community groups. During the past fiscal year, GEDCO’s CARES responded to over 4,441 requests for food, positively impacting 1,855 children and providing financial assistance to over 662 families. This included providing 290 families with eviction prevention assistance, assisting 80 older adults with prescription assistance, and helping 283 households avoid a disruption in their utility service. CARES Career Connection assisted 200 individuals with their job search process, securing 45 jobs in FY24 (April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024).

CARES was opened in 1993 by a group of devoted volunteers, primarily from churches in the Govans neighborhood of north Baltimore. Their vision was to create a centralized place where area churches could send persons in need and know they would be served more effectively and efficiently.

Services

Client-Choice Food Pantry: This dignified service model allows our customer-clients to be the decision-makers as they choose the food that their household members prefer. A nutrition guideline based on family size is provided on-site for assistance. If you wish to donate food, head to our Ways To Give page, and check out our Amazon Wishlist to see items we are in need of.

Emergency Financial Assistance Center: Assists individuals and families with pending evictions, utility shut offs, and prescription needs.

Medical and Glasses Prescription Assistance: Assists individuals and families with payments that are required to fill medical and glasses prescriptions. You must have a current eye prescription within 24 months.

Please note that while employment services are available for all residents of Baltimore, GEDCO's Food Pantry and Financial assistance center only serve people who reside in our highlighted zip codes (21210, 21212, 21239, & 21218). Additionally, to receive assistance with prescription eyeglasses, you must provide a prescription dated within the last 24 months.

CARES Employment Services: GEDCO’s CARES also serves individuals seeking jobs and pursuing careers by providing one-on-one support from trained staff and volunteers.

How CARES Helps the Community With Job Assistance

CARES Career Connection and Employment Services works in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development has provided GEDCO with a part-time employee who works out of GEDCO’s community hub.

Services

  • Resume Preparation
  • Cover letter writing
  • Online job search and application assistance
  • Interview skills coaching
  • Computer training courses
  • Help for SSI/SSDI recipients who are also seeking employment
  • Support for overcoming other barriers to employment

Click Here to book an appointment or consultation with Employment Services

Contact Information

Food Pantry, Job Assistance and Emergency Financial Services

One crisis can have an effect on all aspects of one’s life, causing a cycle of crises. Members of a household may have just lost their jobs, have an unexpected medical or house rental bill delivered in the mail, or may even be struggling to put enough food on the table. At GEDCO, we connect clients with resources that will help them move towards self-sufficiency so that they can permanently escape the cycle of crises.
Families and individuals in crisis should always have someone on whom they can rely.

At GEDCO, we strive to assist the residents of the Baltimore community with emergency food, financial, and employment needs. We have done so through our CARES program, where we assist with career development and employment searches. CARES also provides emergency food and financial assistance.

CARES Operating Hours

Food Pantry
Mondays & Thursdays: 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Financial Assistance
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Employment Services
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

We Accept Donations
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Zip Codes Serviced: 21210, 21212, 21239, 21218

Interested in volunteering and providing service to our community? Click here to sign up for upcoming opportunities or suggest new programs!