SPAN December Update

Stuck in traffic one morning, I was wondering if I would make it through on the next cycle of the traffic lights. My mind started to wander to what was waiting for me at work. I had a long to-do list waiting, and it is a busy time of year at SPAN with people both donating and coming for assistance. My mind was shifting between the cars trying to merge and the joy of being at SPAN, especially this season.

Thinking of the many individuals who are going out of their way to donate money, drop off food and do holiday shopping for others, I was reminded that every day we have decisions on how much and how often to think of others. As I was sitting in traffic, I decided to focus on people sharing their blessings and not focus on the stress of the traffic around me.

Our small SPAN house is busy this season. Our pantry volunteers are active, unloading and shelving food from the many individuals and businesses donating. A huge thank you to the School of the Incarnation, which once again donated cereal to fill our shelves for most of the year! Severna Park United Methodist Church does an amazing reverse advent program, with members donating food daily during advent.

I love seeing how donations from individuals add up to keep our shelves filled. One community member included “shopping for SPAN” in her vacation week – and she came back with food three times! Recently, several people dropped off turkeys and a family stopped by to donate extra holiday meal items that mistakenly came with their grocery order.

It is easy to get in our rut, busy with our lives and needing to take care of our own. It is a conscious decision each time we decide to think and do for others. Sometimes, it is with bigger or concrete actions – donating money, food or other items. Sometimes it is a gift of time. I see the energy and dedication our volunteers commit on a regular basis. Often, it is a decision to think of others in our thoughts, prayers, mindset and words. What a difference it makes when people choose their words thinking of the impact on others. Words matter.

We have many opportunities to put ourselves in others’ shoes and to think and act for them. I love how, through my work at SPAN, I am constantly surrounded with many wonderful examples. We had community members come together to provide Christmas gifts for close to 500 children this year. Often, we see clients looking out for their neighbors, giving rides and sharing what they have. I hear lots of kind and compassionate conversations as our volunteers work with clients and with each other. Every day each of us makes decisions about how much and how often to think of others. Those choices are so important, since we are all in this world together.

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. Please “like” SPAN on Facebook!