The Equity Center - Cross Community Inc.

The Equity Center is a service consolidation hub that works in close collaboration with several non-profit organizations to provide additional support to community needs in Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, and the surrounding area.

Our primary goal is to meet the basic needs of Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village residents (GMV), with as few barriers as possible.

Our secondary goal is to serve as a satellite resource center that is available to other organizations and key community partners to strengthen the supply chain and logistics. By working together, we can better serve the GMV and surrounding communities.

The Equity Center was formed under Cross Community Inc. in Rockville, MD. Since the onset of the pandemic, Cross Community Rockville has been deeply engaged in COVID-19 relief work, meeting the needs of our communities most highly impacted and vulnerable. Our commitment to human dignity, mutual respect, and cultural sensitivity has characterized our work.

The Equity Center distributes fresh, healthy produce and staple foods to GMV residents weekly.

We anticipate The Equity Center being able to help meet the needs of over 200 households weekly through:

• Direct distribution at The Equity Center through weekly drive-up food distributions.
• We gather and distribute needed supplies such as diapers and wipes, toiletries, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products, and winter coats and supplies.
• We assist families with workforce development and help
• We also assist in enrollment in governmental program like SNAP
• Additionally, we participate in the VITA program and offer free tax preparation during tax season.

For Students: We welcome middle and high schoolers to volunteer with us for hours packing bags and handing them to community members who request them. Activities can involve sorting inventory (i.e., diapers, dry food, cosmetics, feminine products, food, coats, and toiletries), packing bags of requested items, or welcoming clients and handing bags off to them when they arrive.  Students can also help conduct health screeners by organizing line flows and collecting demographic information.