SPAN: Making Connections Through Food

The smell of lasagna warming in the oven, slicing through the layers and the strings of a blend of Italian cheeses melted together, the taste of sauce that has simmered for hours with basil and oregano, the pasta and the garlic bread – can you taste it?

Food is essential and it is so much more than just fuel for the body. Imagine if there was a perfect pellet created that had all the ingredients our bodies needed. Imagine if that was all you ate all day and every day.

“Food is not just eating energy; it is an experience.” - Guy Fieri

What food-related memories and associations do you have? What are some of your favorite foods? What are your comfort foods? I am reminded of how much food means at SPAN when I look at the variety on our pantry shelves. We try to provide a range of foods from canned meats, potatoes and pasta staples to some of the ones that can provide comfort such as coffee, tea, condiments and cake mixes. I love when we happen to have just the item – we have had some clients get excited to hear we have almond milk, tea, flour or some other simple yet meaningful staple.

Often, food is connected to holidays and people coming together, whether for a cup of coffee or special occasions. One of the big traditions at SPAN is our Holiday Caring Program, which 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, though the generosity of the community, we can ease the burden a little bit.

Please consider becoming a sponsor – you will be matched with a SPAN client family to purchase the food and/or gifts for the family and deliver the donation to SPAN for distribution. Sponsors also have the option of sending SPAN a tax-deductible donation or gift cards. For more information, please email us at spanhelps@yahoo.com or call 410-647-0889. This year we are also using SignUpGenius for the meal sponsorship – look for the link on our website and social media.

Thank you for your help; together we are making a difference every day!

SPAN’s largest fundraiser is our Turkey Trot 5K/1 mile fun walk. The event will be held on Saturday, November 5, at Kinder Farm Park. We have a lot to celebrate this year! We are celebrating the 10th year of the event and we are celebrating that we are able to gather together for this fun family event, appreciating that it is the first time we are having it since 2019. Lots of local businesses are supporting the event – please check our website and social media. Register online on www.active.com or complete the paper form.

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!