What We Do
Buddhist Relief’s mission is to relieve suffering - from offering humanitarian aid to those in crisis, to addressing food insecurity, to inspiring compassion for animals, to healing the earth for the benefit of countless beings. Our holistic approach is guided by the Buddhist principle of interdependence or interconnectedness.
Humanitarian Aid
Buddhist Relief leverages partnerships with established organizations that support communities with healthy and nutritious food, diapers, formula, and other necessities, as well as the little things, like condiments and spices, which turn a plate of food into a comforting meal.
Buddhist Relief is unique in its ability to be responsive and flexible to both immediate and ongoing circumstances. Spanning religions and cultures, we have worked in cooperation with Sikh Relief helping displaced persons from Ukraine, as well as aiding relocated immigrant Afghan families alongside the Immigrant & Refugee Outreach Center.
Other nonprofit partners include WUMCO Help Inc., Shepherd’s Table, The Upcounty Hub, First Baptist Church of Silver Spring, and Poolesville Little Free Pantry.
Buddhist Relief also provides direct food assistance in the form of emergency food boxes to those experiencing a severe food crisis.
Giving Garden
With the goal of “Empowering People through Food Gardening” to address rising food insecurity, we converted 2,400 square feet of lawn to create what is now a flourishing demonstration and production food garden. The following year, we erected a hoop house to extend our growing season into the colder months, and recently added an additional 900 square feet to the garden.
The Buddhist Giving Garden produces fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit, all of which is donated to food banks and shelters across the county.
We share seedlings to help start gardens in the community and offer classes to teach others how to grow and maintain a healthy garden.
We also offer education on how to safely forage for food such as wild berries, edible weeds, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
Inspiring Compassion
Buddhist Relief cares for a whole barnyard of animals: pigs, goats, geese, chickens, ducks and turkeys. Our animal friends inspire compassion in those who visit or volunteer with them. Some of the animals also play a role in our other projects.
For instance, 20% of the organic, cage-free eggs produced by our hens are donated to local partners, including food banks and meal programs.
And our sweet baby goats help to restore the land by browsing the understory to remove invasive plants.
Each animal habitat is colorful and fun, displaying Buddhas, mantras, and prayer flags. All are welcome to visit our friendly furry and feathered friends. They always welcome a scratch or a pet!
Healing the Land
True food security comes from being connected to the land, plants and animals. It requires working in a fully local environment and having enough biodiversity that, if and when one food source is not available, others are. This means not relying on just one set of plants.
Because of how land has been managed by humans for centuries, it takes A LOT of cooperation and hard work to regenerate systems, but once we do, they function with a lot more sense and ease.
We will be expanding the food gardens as far as we can, and even growing more trees and shrubs with edible fruit or leaves. We use Agroforestry and Permaculture practices, such as improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and integrating livestock - like our goats!
Expanding food access, while maintaining mutual support and respect for the land, increases community wellbeing.