How IT started!

A few years ago…

It all started with a beer back in November 2020. A few of us from the IC community had a chance meeting at a local restaurant over dinner and drinks. As usual, the conversation bounced around—customer interactions, industry trends, fun stories, and upcoming holiday plans. Then, unexpectedly, the topic shifted to something more serious: education challenges. More specifically, we started talking about local kids who go without a square meal—and how difficult it is to focus, learn, or grow when you’re hungry.

One of our colleagues shared their experience working with the Maryland Food Bank and how essential their mission is to families across the state. That sparked an idea: what if we could create a grassroots effort within the IC industry to support their cause?

A few days later, we were meeting virtually with the Maryland Food Bank team. They told us powerful stories—how the pandemic had reshaped their work and how “food insecurity” had become a growing crisis. I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard that term used before. But once I understood it, it stuck with me. These weren’t faceless statistics—they were people just like us, blindsided by hardship, now unsure how they’d feed their families… or their children.

We were all moved. And more importantly, we were motivated to do something. That’s how IC Companies Feeding Maryland was born.

In a matter of weeks, we brought together a group of passionate companies in our industry and launched our first holiday fundraiser. The Maryland Food Bank was incredible—they set us up with company-specific donation pages, helped organize corporate matching, and with the support of a generous anonymous benefactor, our fledgling effort raised over $300,000 in our very first year.

Today, this initiative continues to grow each year, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and helping to fight hunger across Maryland.

In closing—I truly hope you’ll join us. The need is real. The impact is real. And I promise, there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re helping neighbors in need, right here in our own backyard.

Sincerely,
— A Co-Founder of IC Companies Feeding Maryland