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WJZ & The Orioles Seek Donations For The Maryland Food Bank; Need Greater Than Ever

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- For more than 20 years, the Orioles have been collecting donations for the Maryland Food Bank. As part of our Continuing Community Commitment, WJZ will be at all three Orioles games in full force this weekend collecting canned food.

Jessica Kartalija has more on how you can help.

The Maryland Food Bank always needs donations, and this year, more Marylanders need your help.

Donating to the Maryland Food Bank at the Baltimore Orioles game. Well, it's as easy as catching a can of corn.

"We're aiming higher because the need is bigger," John May, chief operations officer at the Maryland Food Bank, said. "There's 406,000 people in the state who can't feed themselves every meal, every day."

"It's the working poor, those making $40,000, family of three in Maryland. You're not paying your light bill, you're not feeding yourself," he said.

The Maryland Food Bank distributes more than 20 million pounds of food to 600 soup kitchens and shelters across the state.

"If everyone gives a little bit, it adds up to a lot," Sherri Pickens of Baltimore City said. "Last year, we collected 5,000 cans of food and raised some $21,000 in donations. This year, with empty shelves like these, we are hoping to bring in even more."

Cash donations from the collection this weekend will be used to buy turkeys that will be paired with boxes filled with food for the holidays.

Canned goods collected will help restock shelves that are hard to fill during summer months.

"Fruit is big, mixed vegetables are big. Low sodium soups," May said.

If you aren't able to get down to Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, you can always donate online by clicking here.

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