Finding Joy In Giving Back

Michele Sabean

Director of Development, SPAN Inc.

“We could all do with a bit more joy in our lives couldn't we? The wonderful thing is that when we start spreading joy, we begin to actually experience more joy in our lives too!”

― Steve Goodier

A smile can be contagious. Think about the times that your mood has shifted simply because of the way someone responded. Words are powerful.

At SPAN, people come to us during stressful and uncertain points in their lives. It is wonderful to be able to provide them with a little hope and relief.

I’m fortunate to be surrounded by volunteers and community members who bring help, relief and encouragement to others. Sitting at my desk, I have a great view of cars pulling up to the back porch. Whether people are picking up or dropping off food, I get to witness joy being spread.

I have a notecard from a mother who shared how SPAN helped her provide for her children during a very difficult time. She described the food boxes as presents her kids were excited to open. Our small space is busy in the mornings as our volunteers chat happily while packing boxes of food. I see the stress our clients arrive with, and I am blessed to see some of that stress lifted before they leave.

When asked to share a memorable moment, one of our volunteers said it was wonderful to be able to provide some help. She described “the gratitude of people, some even moved to tears; the spontaneous hug that I have occasionally received; the relief on people’s faces when they realize that they have found an avenue of support and information to help them go forward.”

I am still buoyed by the energy of the Severn School middle school students who joined us last week for a day of service and the enthusiasm of students at the Meade High School service fair who were excited to find ways to help. A Severna Park High School student recently donated bags of food for our clients. When he dropped them off and I showed him around SPAN, he was eager to find more ways to help.

SPAN is a small organization, but we helped more than 1,300 families last year with either food, emergency financial assistance or both. We can accomplish so much because of our generous community and because we have a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time to support our daily operations and our special projects and events. When I asked what keeps them coming back to help, they echoed the same sentiment: Helping others feels good.

We can all use more joy in our lives. The good news is that by sharing a smile, offering kind words or helping others, we can help spread joy and experience more of it ourselves. Words and actions are powerful, and we all can brighten someone’s day.

Join us for a fun event and our big fundraiser, SPAN’s Turkey Trot 5K. It is on Saturday, November 7 at Kinder Farm Park, and has both a timed 5K and a fun 1-mile option.

SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) 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. For more information, call 410-647-0889, email spanhelps@yahoo.com or visit www.spanhelps.org.