By Sharon Mager

SPAN, Inc (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) formerly Severna Park Assistance Network, is celebrating 20 years of helping individuals and families who are homeless, low-income, or just in a tight spot. To recognize the milestone, nearly 100 people, including staff members, volunteers and supporters, gathered for a birthday luncheon that included homemade sandwiches, salads, pasta and desserts at the Severna Park Community Center on October 27.

Reverend Terry Schoener, the former pastor at Woods Church who helped form SPAN 20 years ago, was the keynote speaker at the event. Schoener reflected on the organization

The organization began in 1990 with six churches, American Baptist Church of the Redeemer, Our Shepherd Lutheran, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic, St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal, Severna Park United Methodist, and Woods Memorial Presbyterian, partnering to identify those needing help and developing a process to expediently provide assistance. In their first month, the newly formed SPAN helped over 50 families. Prior to the organization’s formation, those in need had to go from church to church seeking assistance. Five churches have remained active and eight others joined. SPAN also receives support from many local organizations, businesses and individuals.

"We’ve grown through the years," stated Executive Director Maria DeNardo, who believes the recent name change to SPAN, Inc (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) better reflects SPAN’s mission and scope — not just meeting the needs of people in Severna Park but also Pasadena, Millersville, Crownsville, Glen Burnie, Linthicum and other surrounding communities.

Looking to the future, SPAN is undergoing facility improvements, enclosing the side porch and expanding the pantry to supply additional storage and serve more people. Unfortunately, the numbers are soaring for those needing help, while donations are dropping.

"Our families are facing crisis situations, such as an eviction, utility turn-offs and medical emergencies or not having any food for their children," DeNardo said. "More and more people are finding themselves in situations they would never have imagined just a year ago."

During the current fiscal year, financial assistance has increased by 22% while donations decreased over 23%. SPAN assisted 7,372 individuals including 2,533 families. The total distribution of food and financial aid was well over $300,000.

"Forty-nine percent of the people we served this past year have come to us for the first time," DeNardo confessed.

Now SPAN is looking towards the holidays with its "Holiday Caring Program." SPAN will match sponsors with families that need a helping hand for the holidays. The sponsors will purchase food and/or gifts and deliver them to SPAN for distribution. There’s also the option of sending contributions or gift cards to SPAN, and donations are tax deductible.

"For many of the families that come through SPAN’s doors, the excitement of the holiday season is over-shadowed by the same worries of making a choice between paying rent or paying a utility bill, and sadly there are families in our area who will be unable to provide for their children unless those who can help do so."

For more information, call 410-647-0889, email