Videos
Severn School's Headmaster Doug Lagarde Discusses his Students' Large Donation to SPAN's Food Pantry
Posted by Michele Sabean · 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 Michele Sabean · 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 [email protected]
Check out the following links:
Blog
Events
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
SPAN, Inc. (Serving People Across Neighborhoods)
400 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
The SPAN house is directly behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Phone: 410-647-0889
Fax: 410-647-7724
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00am-1:45pm
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 - Dylan Roche
Dylan Roche is grateful to be on the board of SPAN as Secretary and the rep for Woods Church, where he's a lifelong member, teaches Sunday School, and also serves on the Families With Children Committee. Dylan is a freelance writer and editor whose work has been featured in local, regional and national publications. His first novel, The Purple Bird, debuted in 2019.
In addition to SPAN, Dylan serves on the boards of Children's Theatre of Annapolis and Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, among others, and he is the immediate past president of the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce board. When he isn't writing or volunteering, Dylan can often be found training for his next marathon.
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 - Michele Sabean
Michele Sabean has a bachelors degree in mathematics from Smith College and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. Previously Michele has worked as Director of Operations for a Charter School Operator in Baltimore City and as a Program Manager developing math and reading tutoring programs. She has experience training and teaching in a variety of settings. She is a member of Our Lady of the Fields Church and has taught Faith Formation classes there for many years. Michele also enjoys running, spending time outdoors, and dabbling in art and other creative projects. She and her husband John are raising their two sons in Crownsville, where they have lived for more than 15 years.
Director of Operations - Maia Grabau
Member Churches
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH www.asburyumcarnold.org
78 Church Rd.
Arnold, MD 21012
Pastor: Pastor Jen Karsner
Rep: Nancy Cody
Alt: Ellyn Campbell
BALDWIN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH http://baldwinmemorial.org
921 Generals Hwy.
Millersville, MD 21108
Pastor: Rev. Michael Beiber
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
110 Townsend Ave
Baltimore, MD 21225
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Sonia King
Rep: Dawn Herzbeger
OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH www.ourladyofthefields.org
1070 Cecil Ave., South
Millersville, MD 21108
Pastor: Fr. Jack Ward
Rep: Joanne Petrik
OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH www.ourshepherd.com
400 Benfield Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Pastor: Matthew Beers
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: Pat Hunt
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
Alts: Karen Myers and Donna Barnabe
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. Randall K. Bush
Rep: Peggy Newman
SPAN FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTE
Bob Fulton-Chair
Gary Bishop
Joe Labrum
Ted Mathison
Linda Moore
Ted Florenz (President)
John Howland (Treasurer)
SPAN REVIEW COMMITTEE
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 – Past Board President, Pantry Volunteer
Nonvoting Ex Officio Members: Michele Sabean-Dir. of Development, Maia Grabau-Dir. of Operations
Need Help?
SPAN assists neighbors in need with utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, prescription/medical costs, and food.
Call first to verify your eligibility. Call 410-647-0889 Monday - Thursday, between 10:00am and 1:30pm.
Please note that your application for assistance can be processed more efficiently in person. If possible, come to SPAN for
assistance Monday - Thursday 10am-1:30pm.
Unable to come to SPAN in person during our hours of operation? If so, we are expanding our services to include virtual
services for clients who are unavailable on weekdays.
So, if you are unable to come in person, it's as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Call SPAN at 410-647-0889 during client hours (Monday - Thursday 10am - 1:30pm) to speak to a volunteer to begin
the process. It only takes a few minutes.
2. Our volunteers will explain what documentation will be needed to process your application. You may also be referred to
other organizations.
3. Scan or photograph all appropriate documents and email them to [email protected] That is all it takes!
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. New clients are welcome to receive food twice in the first month and then once per month from then on. Primary areas are eligible for up to $500 in assistance for utility turnoff or eviction, or $200 assistance for prescription/medical copay. (Medical/prescription assistance is per calendar year.) Benefit is for up to $500 the first year and then eligible for up to $250 per year for the next two years. 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 currently eligible for up to $500 assistance for utility turnoff or eviction, or $200 for assistance for prescription/medical copay. (Medical/prescription assistance is per calendar year.) Benefit is for up to $500 the first year and then eligible for up to $250 per year for the next two years. 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 [email protected].
HOURS: Mon.-Thurs., 10:00am-1:30pm.