An Update From SPAN

As the summer is winding down, I would like to thank everyone who continues to allow Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN) to help so many in our area.

In our fiscal year that ended recently, SPAN gave more than two and a half times the amount of emergency financial assistance that we typically do in a year. We helped with more than $280,000 in emergency financial assistance. As many of the COVID-19 pandemic supports ended and prices have been higher, we saw increases in our number of clients. Thanks to this community, we have been able to help more than 700 families this year who were facing utility shutoffs, court-ordered evictions or needed assistance with medical prescriptions.

Likewise, we helped almost 600 families with food. Those families are deeply grateful, and we want you to know how much this support means to them. I am always impressed by how our shelves are filled completely by community donations.

Thank you to all who donate financially — every dollar adds up and has allowed us to keep helping all who meet our criteria.

I am also amazed by how things work out. For instance, when I shared on Facebook that we were on our last set of a certain size of diapers, we received a box of them.

Thank you also to the local businesses that support us. Landmark Roofing, Checkmark Power Washing and Bear Landscaping have recently done work to keep our building looking and functioning well. We continue to have a wonderful partnership with Diehl’s Produce, as its customers round up purchases to provide gift cards for our clients. We have also had produce this summer from Langton Green Community Garden and several locals who have shared fruit and vegetables from their gardens.

We have many local businesses sponsoring our 11th Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot 5k race and one-mile fun walk. It is a community event that will be held November 4 at Kinder Farm Park. Registration is available at register.chronotrack.com/r/75552. If you are interested in sponsoring and or volunteering at the event, please contact us.

It will soon be time for another opportunity to help with a SPAN tradition, our Holiday Caring program. The program provides clients with holiday meals and Christmas gifts for children. Many families worry about Thanksgiving and Christmas because they can’t afford a large meal and gifts for their children. Unforeseen circumstances — such as a car accident, illness or job layoff — can throw family budgets into crisis mode. At SPAN, we can ease the burden a little bit. Please consider becoming a sponsor. For more information, email spanhelps@yahoo.com or call 410-647-0889.

Summer is our slow time for donations, and we definitely welcome and appreciate donations that help replenish our shelves. Food can always be donated to our bins in the Severna Park Community Center and Severna Park Library or directly at our building. A good focus for food donations this month is on breakfast items, such as coffee, tea, juice, cereal, pancake mix and other similar items.

Thank you for your help. Together we are making a difference every day!

SPAN is an independent nonprofit food pantry and emergency services provider that has been helping local families with eviction prevention, utility turnoffs, medical/prescription bills and food since 1990. SPAN serves 14 zip codes in Anne Arundel County. SPAN is located behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 400 Benfield Road in Severna Park. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 10:00am-1:30pm. For more information, call 410-647-0889, email spanhelps@yahoo.com or visit www.spanhelps.org. Financial donations may be made through the website. Food donations may be dropped off 24/7 using the storage bin behind SPAN’s building.