WBAL Giving Tuesday Telethon Raises Support For Maryland Food Bank
WBAL held a Giving Tuesday telethon on December 2 to benefit the Maryland Food Bank, broadcasting live from 5 a.m. to 7 30 p.m. The effort highlighted how donations are stretched by wholesale purchasing and addressed rising local demand driven by higher food prices and cuts to assistance programs.
WBAL staged an extended Giving Tuesday telethon on December 2 to raise funds and public attention for the Maryland Food Bank. The station broadcast live from 5 a.m. to 7 30 p.m., kept phone lines open for donations, and encouraged viewers to call or text 443 297 5085 or to give online at mdfoodbank.org/wbal. The telethon featured stories and live segments that explained how donated dollars are used to support meal distribution and school and community programs across Baltimore and the rest of Maryland.
Organizers used the platform to underscore the Food Banks purchasing model that allows it to stretch contributions through wholesale buying, increasing the impact of each donation. Those programmatic details matter as families in Baltimore continue to face higher grocery costs and as cuts to public assistance programs increase reliance on charitable providers. The telethon positioned seasonal fundraising and volunteer mobilization as an immediate response to that growing gap in food security.
For Baltimore residents the broadcast served both informational and practical purposes. Viewers saw how donations translate into meals delivered to community partners and schools, and the on air segments provided concrete ways to contribute during a critical seasonal period. The Maryland Food Bank network depends on these concentrated drives to replenish supplies and coordinate volunteer efforts before the winter months when demand traditionally rises.
The event also raises broader policy questions about the sustainability of relying on community fundraisers to offset reductions in public assistance. Local civic leaders and elected officials face decisions about budgeting and program priorities that will affect food access long term. Until those structural choices change, nonprofit providers and media led campaigns will continue to play a central role in meeting immediate needs.
Baltimore residents interested in donating or volunteering can call or text 443 297 5085 or visit mdfoodbank.org/wbal for more information and ways to help.
