Your Help Is A Blessing

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One of the things I like about working at SPAN is that my desk is right by the door to our back porch. I can hear cars pull up, and I get to see so many people who come to SPAN. I love meeting new people and seeing all the people who bring donations, which makes our work at SPAN possible.

A recent Monday morning started with members of Severna Park United Methodist, Severna Park Baptist and Our Lady of the Fields Catholic churches stopping by, almost one right after another, with the food that their congregations had donated that week. A few days before, members of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church delivered, and we always have lots of members of the community bringing bags of food.

One woman came with several boxes of cereal. She said that her trips to the big box store are not complete without picking up a couple of things for SPAN. Someone else stopped by with his son, part of their morning routine before naptime. Often, we have people dropping off collections from their neighborhoods.

As I think about my days, I understand why the community members contributing brings me joy, in the same way that I am thankful for our dedicated volunteers.

Also stopping at the porch are our clients. Often, the issues they face are overwhelming. “Lisa” is a woman on disability. Her husband has cancer, they have enormous medical bills, they are raising their grandchild and they have a turnoff notice for their electricity. “Stephanie” is a single parent who is raising two teens, helping them deal with trauma they have experienced, while trying to find and keep a good-paying job.

“Jasmine” is a single mother with a 10-month-old and a court-ordered eviction. We also have many clients come for food, which is a big help for them. It is great to be able to help.

I have been thinking of our clients, especially the ones whose burdens are overwhelming. I enjoy meeting all of the people who stop by. A little bit of it is the extrovert side of me, and a lot of it is knowing that we can do something to help. I know it from the appreciation that I hear over and over.

Although we can’t solve everything, SPAN makes a difference. SPAN helped “Lisa” and her family with their electricity bill and food. SPAN helped “Jasmine” with rent money and referred her to additional sources for the rest of the funds needed for her and her daughter to stay in their apartment. SPAN provided “Stephanie,” and many others, food that allows them to use those funds for other things.

Although I realize that we are not able to fix everything, I hear over and over what a blessing SPAN is. Thank you for supporting SPAN. So many are blessed with your help!

I enjoy seeing all the people who stop at our back porch. Everyone comes to the same door — some may be going through tough times, and some may be lending a helping hand. We are happy to see everyone. Say hello if you come by. I always love seeing who is at the door!

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 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. Please “like” SPAN on Facebook!

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