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.