Videos
Severn School's Headmaster Doug Lagarde Discusses his Students' Large Donation to SPAN's Food Pantry
Posted by Ellen Kinsella · October 24, 2018 11:56 AM
Shipley's Choice Food Drive
Posted by Maxwell Karren · February 04, 2018 12:45 PM · 1 reaction
Turkey Trot Starting Line 2017
Posted by Ellen Kinsella · November 12, 2017 4:25 PM
Support Us
Photo Credit: Sharon TeglerSPAN has been blessed with an extremely active and compassionate support network. We couldn't survive without our churches, volunteers and donors! There are many ways to support SPAN, Click on the following links to find out how:
Donate
Betsy Wyble, a former SPAN volunteer, donates food from a recent fundraiser for the For Ellie Foundation
SPAN depends on donations from generous churches, businesses and individuals to keep it running. If you'd like to help, there are different ways to donate:
News & Events
There's always something going on at SPAN! Whether it be our 5K, our Holiday Caring Program, our Fourth of July Parade float, or simply the interesting and exciting happenings that occur on a daily basis, we'll try to include them all in this section!
If you have SPAN news for us to post (a fundraiser, food collection, etc.) please email photos and caption to spanhelps@yahoo.com.
Check out the following links:
Blog
Events
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
SPAN, Inc. (Serving People Across Neighborhoods)
400 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: 410-647-0889
Fax: 410-647-7724
Email: spanhelps@yahoo.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00am-2:00pm (please arrive by 1:30)
Our Mission
The primary mission of SPAN, a faith-based, nondenominational ministry, begun by local Christian churches, shall be to provide food and/or financial assistance to qualified individuals and families to help them through critical or emergency situations.
Faces of SPAN
*Executive Board
President - Kathy Berge
Kathy Berge of St. Martins-In-The-Field Episcopal Church was named president of SPAN's Executive Board of Directors on January 13, 2020. Her term will last for two years.
Kathy is an Occupational Therapist by profession, who has practiced in the field of psychiatry in Baltimore. Kathy previously served on SPAN's Board of Directors, representing St. Martins-in-the Field. She has been involved with nonprofits for more than 40 years, and is on St. Martin's Outreach Committee, coordinates St. Martin's Winter Relief service for Arundel House of Hope, and currently provides pro bono services to families in need. Kathy has sat on the Board of Directors for multiple organizations for many years and has chaired the Charity Committee for the Foundation for Families. She is currently helping family members set up a charity in Cecil County.
Sharon Tegler from The Capital newspaper recently wrote a great article about Kathy's new position with SPAN. You can read it by clicking here.
Vice President - Mike Monahan
Mike officially began his role as Vice President of SPAN's executive board in early 2019. Mike first became aware of SPAN after hearing about their holiday drive in 2016 and began working with the organization soon after. He has been active in similar organizations in and around Baltimore over the past several years and was both impressed with the contributors and scale of SPAN’s efforts, and somewhat surprised with the needs that existed closer to home.
Mike attended Loyola University in Baltimore, earning degrees in Finance and Accounting, and has held Finance and Portfolio Management roles within the commodities industry since 2001. He and his wife Denise moved to the area in 2009 and have three boys currently attending Shipley’s Choice Elementary School.
Secretary - Karen Hall
Karen began her professional career working for eight years as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant both in Maryland and at a border hospital in Arizona. She earned a Masters in Social Work in 1992 from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She then had a opportunity to work in a variety of locations with different populations with her now-retired Army spouse. She has worked in a community-based outreach program in Kansas serving families and children. In Germany she worked as member of a team for the New Parent Support Program with expectant parents and children up to six years old. Relocating back to Maryland in 2003, she recently retired after 13 years of service working for the Department of Defense, serving military and civilian members.
Treasurer - John Howland
John Howland joined Our Shepherd Lutheran Church shortly after moving to Severna Park in 2010. He was always curious about the organization in the old rectory behind the church, and one day stopped in to see what SPAN was all about. That led to a volunteer position in the pantry. Eventually, John was able to increase his involvement and became SPAN Treasurer in the summer of 2015.
John grew up in Topeka, Kansas. He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, New York, and after graduation he reported to Navy Flight Training where he began his Naval career. John spent 24 years in the Navy flying F/A-18s from various aircraft carriers all over the world. However, if you ask him, the highlight of his career was convincing the Texas woman he was dating to marry him and join him on the adventure. He and Magi have been together ever since, and have three children, Sarah, Nicolas and Ruby.
John and Magi moved many times with the Navy and lived in many exotic locations. It has (kind of) slowed down over the past few years as John was assigned to several staff tours in the DC area. John retired from the Navy in 2016, and the family decided to make Severna Park their permanent home. John continues to fly as an airline pilot for Southwest Airlines.
Staff
Director of Development - Ellen Kinsella
Ellen joined SPAN as the Director of Development in 2017. Before joining the SPAN staff, she had been doing SPAN's social media, public relations and newsletters as a volunteer.
Ellen has a background in journalism and marketing, and earned her Bachelor's degree from University of Delaware in Communications. She owned her own editorial consulting business, Eye-B-4-E Editorial, and also wrote for the Severna Park Voice for 13 years.
Ellen and her husband, Kevin, have lived in the Shipley's Choice neighborhood in Millersville since 1997, and their three children were raised in the local community and school system. Ellen was deeply involved in volunteering for PTAs, sports teams, music groups, Scouts, and other activities that helped her become knowledgeable with the local community and its leaders. Ellen has also been a board member of Giving Back, Linda's Legacy, a homeless drive, where she managed their social media and publicity, and attended their annual deliveries on Christmas Eve with her family.
She looks forward to increasing SPAN's visibility in Anne Arundel County, connecting with more churches, businesses and private donors, and thinking of innovative ways to fundraise.
Director of Operations - Jennifer Pumphrey, LCSW-C
Member Churches
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH www.asburyumcarnold.org
78 Church Rd.
Arnold, MD 21012
Pastor: Pastor Jen Karsner
Rep: Katie Dold
BALDWIN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH http://baldwinmemorial.org
921 Generals Hwy.
Millersville, MD 21108
Pastor: Rev. Philip D. Tocknell
Rep: Gwen Hoyt
Alt: Kathy Norville
BAY AREA COMMUNITY CHURCH www.bayareacc.org
884 Chesterfield Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Lead Pastor: Greg St. Cyr
Rep: Position Vacant
BROADNECK BAPTIST CHURCH www.broadneckbaptistchurch.org
1257 Hilltop Dr., Cape St. Clair
Annapolis, MD 21409
Pastor: Abby Thornton Hailey
Rep: Dave Smith
Alt: Tina Wilkins
BROOKLYN COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH www.umc.org/find-a-church/church/150535
110 Townsend Ave.
Brooklyn Park, MD 21225
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Sonia L. King
Rep: Rev. Dr. Sonia L. King
HOPE SPRINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH www.hopespringscommunitychurch.org
Currently meeting at:
Anne Arundel Community College
Humanities #112
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012
Pastor: Paul Raddin
Rep: Barbara Patasce
OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH www.ourladyofthefields.org
1070 Cecil Ave., South
Millersville, MD 21108
Pastor: Monsignor Jay O'Connor
Rep: Joanne Petrik
Alt: Debbie Compere
OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH www.ourshepherd.com
400 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Earl Janssen
Rep. Kathleen (Kathy) Taylor
Alt: Kathy Hikes
St. ANDREW by the BAY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH www.standrewbythebay.org
701 College Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21409
Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Dauses
Rep: Joann McKnab
Alt: Marge Tsitouris
St. JOHN the EVANGELIST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH www.stjohnsp.org
689 Ritchie Hwy.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Fr. Erik Arnold
Rep: Anne Dashiell
St. MARTIN’S-in-the-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH www.stmartinsinthefield.org
375 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Rector: The Rev. Mathew Hanisian
Rep: Kathy Berge
Alt: Gary Berge
SEVERNA PARK BAPTIST CHURCH www.severnaparkbaptistchurch.com
506 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Pastor David Brown
Rep: Robert (Bob) Fulton
SEVERNA PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH www.severnaparkumc.org
731 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Rev. Ron Foster
Rep: Francie (Fran) Seaman
Alt: Karen Myers
TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH www.trinitysevernapark.org
99 Truck House Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Stephen Mitchell
Rep. James M. DeLeon
WOODS MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.woodschurch.org
611 Baltimore Annapolis Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan DeWyngaert
Rep: Karen Hall
Alt: Position Vacant
SPAN FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTE
Bob Fulton-Chair
Gary Bishop
Joe Labrum
Ted Mathison
Linda Moore
Ted Florenz (President)
John Howland (Treasurer)
SPAN REVIEW COMMITTEE – 2016
Committee chair - Position Vacant
Steve Michelsen - Pantry
Joanne Petrik - Board Rep.
Francie Seaman - Board Rep.
Mary Kay Sistik – Interviewer
Voting Ex Officio Member: Ted Florenz – Board President, Pantry
Nonvoting Ex Officio Members: Ellen Kinsella-Dir. of Development, Jennifer Pumphrey-Dir. of Operations
Need Help?
NOTE: Please call first before you come to SPAN for assistance to verify that you are eligible. Call 410-647-0889 Monday through Thursday, between 10:00am and 1:30pm. SPAN's phones are not monitored outside of those hours.
Since 1990, SPAN has been assisting neighbors in need with utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, prescription/medical needs and food.
In order to receive assistance all clients must have:
- MD identification with current address or change of address card
- Referral (if needed, see below)
- Turn-off notice for utilities, or disposition (signed by judge) for evictions
SPAN’s primary service areas include:
21012 Arnold
21409 Broadneck
21108 Millersville
21146 Severna Park
These are the only areas eligible for food, which is given to new clients once per week for three weeks, and then once per month from then on. Primary areas are eligible for $225 assistance for utility turnoff or eviction, or $200 assistance for prescription/medical copay. Benefit is for ONCE PER 12-MONTH PERIOD. Payments are made directly to providers, not to clients.
SPAN’s secondary service areas include:
20755 Fort Meade
21090 Linthicum
21144 Severn
21122 Pasadena*
21061 Glen Burnie*
21032 Crownsville**
21054 Gambrills**
21113 Odenton**
21114 Crofton**
Secondary areas are eligible for $125 assistance for utility turnoff or eviction, or $150 for assistance for prescription/medical copay. Benefit is for ONCE PER 12-MONTH PERIOD. Payments are made directly to providers, not to clients.
*Requires referral from NCEON 410-255-3677
**Requires referral from Crofton Christian Caring Council
Monday: 410-721-5770, St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 410-721-2332, St. Paul's
Wednesday: 410-721-2313, Prince of Peace
Thursday: 410-451-5110, Mid Atlantic
Friday: 410-721-2881, St. Stephens
SPAN is located at 400 Benfield Road (behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church) in Severna Park.
For more information and eligibility requirements please contact us Monday through Thursday between 10:00am and 1:30pm at 410-647-0889.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
FAQs
- What is SPAN?
- Where is SPAN?
- How is SPAN funded?
- How do you know your clients are really in need?
- Will SPAN turn away hungry people if they don't live within SPAN's service area?
- What kind of food donations do you accept?
- Can I drop off food after hours?
- Can I donate expired food or perishable food?
- Who are SPAN's member churches?
- Tell me about SPAN's volunteer opportunities
- Do you have service opportunities for students?
About Us
On April 2, 1990, the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) opened its doors to local area families in crisis. SPAN was formed because of the concern on the part of the ministers in the Severna Park area with regard to the growing demand for emergency help, the need to identify the people seeking help, and a process to help those people in a dignified and expeditious manner. Before that, those needing assistance would be forced to go from church to church. SPAN enabled them to find that same resource in one convenient place.
Since then, SPAN has been serving our neighbors to help them through a critical or emergency situation such as hunger, utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, and prescription/medical needs. We have expanded beyond Severna Park, so SPAN is now an acronym for Serving People Across Neighborhoods.
SPAN’s primary service areas include: Severna Park, Millersville, Arnold and Broadneck. SPAN’s secondary service areas include the surrounding communities of Crofton, Crownsville, Odenton, Gambrills, (requires referral from Crofton Christian Caring Council), Pasadena and Glen Burnie (requires referral from NCEON), Linthicum, and Severn.
In order to receive assistance all clients must have a current Maryland ID with current address or change of address card, a referral (if needed), a utility turn-off notice, or disposition (for evictions) signed by a judge.
SPAN is located at 400 Benfield Road, behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, in Severna Park. For more information and eligibility requirements, or to see a copy of SPAN's annual report, please contact us at 410-647-0889, or email us at spanhelps@yahoo.com.
HOURS: Mon.-Thurs., 10:00am-2:00pm. Please arrive by 1:30.