Neighbors Helping Neighbors

We recently had a hard day at SPAN. One of our clients got a phone call from her daughter while she was waiting for us to get her food. She and her husband were looking forward to their daughter coming home from the hospital and instead learned that her daughter’s cancer had returned. Later the same morning, I learned that one of our volunteers and her family are also going through a difficult situation.

Working at SPAN, I frequently reflect on how we all go through times that are tough. You never know what someone is currently dealing with – and each of us can find ways to help. That help takes many forms: Sometimes it is spending time listening, bringing food, praying or helping by donating money to an organization, such as SPAN. There are many ways to be a blessing to another person.

We often have clients at SPAN who are dealing with lots of big challenges, and recently we have especially had lots of clients with large utility bills and turn-off notices. A single mother came to SPAN for the first time seeking assistance with a utility turn-off notice. She was employed as a nurse, but following a medical issue, she could no longer work and applied for disability. The lengthy process of waiting to qualify for disability had caused her to fall behind on her bills. SPAN was able to help her keep her utilities on for her and her children.

At SPAN we see a lot of people dealing with big challenges and we also see lots of people – our volunteers, clients and community members - donating time, money and items to help those facing the challenges. Students in the Arundel High School Service Club painted beautiful kindness rocks and put together birthday bags for our clients. A huge thank you to Asbury United Methodist Church in Arnold for collecting toiletries and cleaning supplies for SPAN.

SPAN helps about 60 families per month with food. Clients often specifically ask for and appreciate receiving toiletries and cleaning products in addition to their food. When an emergency hits and families struggle to put food on the table, they often don’t have money for hygiene and cleaning products. Donations of those items allow adults and children to be clean and presentable for job interviews and school. Our clients regularly request shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, laundry and dish detergent. In addition, canned meat and potatoes are items that are always great to donate.

We also see examples of our clients caring for others, giving rides to their neighbors, helping with child care, and sharing as they can. One woman, who comes to SPAN occasionally for food, recently gave SPAN a $10 donation. She said that she cannot give much, but she felt that it was appropriate to give what she could to pay it forward for the help she has received over the years.

All of us have moments of needing help and times of being able to help others. Being there for our friends and neighbors is what makes for a good community. We can all be a blessing to someone every day. Being part of SPAN is a consistent reminder for me of the immense power and impact of neighbors helping neighbors.

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. SPAN serves 15 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 or at the Severna Park Library and Severna Park Community Center. Please “like” SPAN on Facebook!