The provided source material documents a variety of free offers, community assistance programs, and discounted services available in the Montgomery County, Maryland, and surrounding Washington D.C. metropolitan area during 2019. These opportunities range from retail promotional freebies and recreational discounts to substantial government and non-profit assistance programs focused on food security and holiday support. The data highlights specific events, eligibility requirements for low-income families and federal employees, and ongoing food distribution services designed to support residents facing economic hardship.
Retail and Event-Based Freebies
During 2019, several retail chains and event organizers in the Montgomery County area offered limited-time freebies and promotional discounts. These offers often coincided with national holidays or back-to-school seasons.
Staples offered a personalized "first day of school" sign for children, available for free in-store pickup. This offer was valid through September 13, 2019. Additionally, Staples provided new freebies every week through August 16, 2019, while supplies lasted.
Raising Cane’s participated in National Chicken Finger Day on July 27, 2019. Customers who ordered one "Box Combo" meal received one free additional chicken finger.
The Greene Turtle locations around the D.C. area celebrated National Chicken Wing Day on July 29, 2019. Customers who purchased a 10-piece order of wings received a second order for free.
Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale: On July 26 and 27, 2019, nearly 30 farms in Montgomery County participated in an annual farm tour and harvest sale. Admission to the event was free.
DMV Made Festival: This festival took place on the National Mall on July 26, 2019. Admission was free, and the event featured live performances of music, poetry, and storytelling, a wellness zone, and a youth stage.
Great Country Throwdown: Held on July 26, 2019, at the Clarendon Ballroom, this event offered free admission. It featured live country music, a line dancing class, and mechanical bull rides.
Prince George’s County Martial Arts Day: On July 26, 2019, Prince George’s County hosted a free Martial Arts Day in Fort Washington. The event included live demonstrations, raffles, giveaways, and vendors.
Discounts for Federal Employees
During periods of government shutdown in 2019, specific discounts and free services were made available to federal employees with valid government identification.
Montgomery County Parks: Furloughed government employees received a 50 percent discount on public skating admission at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena (for federal employees and up to three family members). A 50 percent discount was also available for a bucket of balls at the South Germantown Driving Range and for Spot Time court fees at Pauline Betz Addie Tennis and Wheaton Indoor Tennis. Additionally, there was a 25 percent discount on all permits and rentals for events occurring during the furlough period.
CYCLED!: This fitness studio in Silver Spring and Takoma Park offered free classes to furloughed government employees. Participants could use the code "SweatItOut@CYCLED!" to sign up and were required to show a government ID at check-in.
RYDE Cycle: Located in Arlington, this studio offered free 5:30 p.m. classes Monday through Thursday for the duration of the government shutdown to those with a federal ID. Free shoe rentals were also provided for all classes.
Sweat DC: This Petworth studio offered a free two-week pass to all participants, regardless of employment status, though it was highlighted as a resource during the shutdown.
Food Security and Community Assistance Programs
Montgomery County offers extensive support for residents facing food insecurity, including emergency food distribution, government assistance programs, and holiday-specific aid.
Emergency Food Distribution
Manna Choice Market at the Grove: In August 2019, this market provided free groceries and fresh produce to Montgomery County residents. The market operated from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Registration was required at least 24 hours in advance by calling (301) 424-1130. The distribution took place in room G318 of USG’s Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Building. Free parking was available in Lot 2 with a one-hour voucher provided upon check-in.
East County Service Consolidation Hub: Located at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church in Calverton, MD, this hub provided drive-through and walk-up food distribution. Services included semi-choice and full-choice non-perishables on various schedules: - Saturdays at East County Rec Center at 9:00 a.m. - Every first and third Tuesday at White Oak Apartments or Windsor Court & Towers Apartments (rotating weeks). - Every second and fourth Thursday at Galway Elementary School or Greencastle Elementary School (rotating weeks). - Every other Friday at Spring Parc Apartments. - The last Thursday of the month at Enclaves Apartments. The service area covers Briggs Chaney, Burtonsville, Cloverly, Colesville, Fairland, Hillandale, and White Oak. Contact numbers are 301-679-1100 x0508 or 240-707-1085.
Silver Spring Location: A food distribution site in Silver Spring operated Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) eligible distribution occurred on the third Friday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., requiring pre-registration. Diapers were available once a month during food distribution. The service area includes Langley Park, Long Branch, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and surrounding areas.
Government and Non-Profit Assistance
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services: The county manages several food assistance programs. Information is available at the county's food index page.
Emergency Funding for Food Pantries: In response to the suspension of federal SNAP benefits during the 2019 government shutdown, the Montgomery County Commissioners announced $500,000 in emergency funding for local food pantries. This funding was intended to help residents affected by the loss of SNAP benefits, projected to impact approximately 63,000 county residents.
Holiday Giving Project: This long-standing project provides Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households. Referrals are made by social workers, school counselors, and human service professionals. The Department of Health and Human Services distributes these referrals to the Holiday Giving Coalition, consisting of local non-profits, faith-based organizations, and government agencies. Each coalition member adopts specific zip codes to serve referred families by providing food, gift cards, and toys. In 2023, the project matched 13,300+ families and served over 27,500 children with the help of 41 partner organizations. Schools provided half of all referrals.
Workplace Wellness and Incentives
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS): MCPS has been recognized for its commitment to employee health and wellness. In 2024, MCPS received the Healthiest Maryland Businesses 2024 Exemplar Business Award. They have also been recognized by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence as a 2015 Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award winner and have received the Health & Wellness Seal of Approval in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, MCPS received a gold Wellness at Work Award for 2019 and 2020 from Healthiest Maryland Businesses. The "Well Aware" program encourages employees to participate in surveys to help shape future wellness programs and incentives.
Conclusion
The available data from 2019 indicates a robust network of free and low-cost resources in the Montgomery County area. Retail freebies provided temporary consumer relief, while targeted discounts helped federal employees during periods of instability. Most significantly, a comprehensive infrastructure of food banks, government-funded emergency distribution, and non-profit holiday programs addressed critical needs for low-income families and individuals. These programs relied on partnerships between county agencies, schools, and community organizations to deliver essential support.