Nearly everyone across the political spectrum agrees with the goal of ending childhood hunger.
“We can spend all day thinking of things we believe differently, but I have yet to meet the person who is pro-hunger,’” said Robert Hahn, pastor of Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown.
The church hosted the Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland’s annual Southern Maryland Hunger Summit: Outreach to Faith-based Leaders on Monday, Nov. 8.
The summit, held in collaboration with Share Our Strength and the Local Management Boards of Calvert, St. Mary’s, Charles and Anne Arundel counties, brought together 105 leaders of local, faith-based organizations to learn about the resources communities can use to help end childhood hunger in the region.
Though many think of hunger as unlikely in America, and envision hungry children as the malnourished victims of Third World famine, drought and unrest, the partnership’s focus is on children here in local communities, dealing with the less dramatic but still damaging effects of “food insecurity.”
Anne Sheridan, Maryland director for Share Our Strength, a national organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger, cited SOS surveys which indicated that 52 percent of Maryland teachers report having students who arrive at school hungry each week students who are not ready to concentrate, learn or play because they are not getting necessary nutrition.
“Our goal is to end childhood hunger,” Sheridan said, “not just feed more kids.”
With pledges from President Barack Obama and Gov. Martin O’Malley to end childhood hunger by 2015, Sheridan saw that goal as within reach, if local organizations were willing to take charge.”We need to start building more local leadership,” Sheridan said. “Everyone has a strength to share, and churches and faith-based organizations are a logical place to start.”
Sheridan encouraged leaders to sponsor a food distribution site, encourage conversation among their congregation on the need to end childhood hunger in the community, boost enrollment by eligible families and work to reduce the stigma attached to supplemental food programs, all in an effort to “be a community that cares about ending childhood hunger.”
Though programs are in place to provide free and reduced-price meals and snacks at schools, community centers and camps, Sheridan called attention to several roadblocks to access to those programs: stigma about relying on government aid, lack of awareness of the program or who qualifies, inadequate facilities and transportation, and bureaucratic red tape.
Rosemary King Johnston, executive director for the Governor’s Office for Children, said “food insecurity” affects 207,000 children in Maryland who live in homes where healthy, nutritious food is not consistently and readily accessible. Those children can be helped by local and state programs, many of which are well-funded through the federal government, so that all children can grow and learn.
“The federal food programs are huge and amazing, and if we don’t use them the money just sits in Washington,” Johnston said. “I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen a dollar I don’t want in Maryland, feeding these kids.”
Recent modifications to the Maryland Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other programs make more families who have been struggling to make ends meet eligible for assistance. A new, online application system through the Maryland Department of Human Resources enables families to apply for a variety of services with a single application.
Suzanne Diggs, a food stamp policy specialist and trainer, demonstrated the Service Access and Information Link found at www.marylandsail.org. Since clients can choose to apply online, qualified applicants can receive their benefits faster than in the past.
Diggs explained that regulations enacted last month allow families to qualify for some services even if they still have assets such as a car or a savings account, so long as the family’s gross income is 200 percent of the poverty level or less.
The change encourages clients to build a financial cushion, which in turn can reduce future needs.
“It’s not just to pull you out of the ditch,” Hahn said. “We want to fill the ditch in behind you so you never fall back in again.”
The summit concluded with county-by-county breakout sessions where leaders discussed the specific needs of their areas and how to meet them, whether through meal programs, food pantries, financial seminars, free tax preparation assistance or other offerings that fit the community.
For more information, visit the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland at <a href=”http://www.nokidhungrymd.org” target=”_blank”>www.nokidhungrymd.org</a>.
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By CHRIS BASHAM
Staff writer

The HELP Association Inc. of Owings has donated $10,000 as its part in supporting End Hunger in Calvert County.
The funds will be used to provide food to be distributed through the End Hunger in Calvert County (EHCC) food pantry network.
Chairman of EHCC the Rev. Robert P. Hahn said, “This generous gift will provide literally thousands of pounds of food to our county’s neediest families; people who are our neighbors. The HELP Association is a key partner for us and they truly embody the spirit of our slogan ‘Together We Can’. This will go a long way towards reaching our goal of collecting 100,000 pounds of food during the month of October [which was dubbed End Hunger in Calvert County Month].”
Norma Houston, president of the HELP Association, said in a press release, “The HELP Association’s mission is to provide support to other community organizations that are making a difference in our community. End Hunger in Calvert County has taken on the task of filling the ever-growing food gap in our county, and we are proud to partner with them.”
HELP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that operates a thrift shop in Owings, which raises money that is circulated back to other non-profits in the Calvert County community. It contributes to organizations both through monetary grants and material donations. Its website is www.thehelpassociation.org. HELP currently has more than 40 volunteers and a five-member executive board.
End Hunger in Calvert County is a partnership of Calvert County churches, charities, schools, businesses and government officials united behind the goal of ending hunger in Calvert County. For more information, go to <a href=”https://old.endhungercalvert.org” target=”_blank”>www.endhungercalvert.org</a>.

Calvert County pastors of various religious denominations announced this week that they will again unite for End Hunger in Calvert County during a press conference at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick on Monday.
Although the state and county declared the month of October to be “End Hunger In Calvert County Month,” last year was the first year the county pastors from Independent, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist and Quaker denominations, as well as Church of God, Church of Christ, charismatic and non-denominational churches, participated. They teamed up with other charity organizations, schools, businesses and government officials to raise a total of 86,000 pounds of food in October alone, the Rev. Robert P. Hahn of Chesapeake Church said.
Hahn, the chairman of End Hunger in Calvert County, said the partnership’s goal for October 2010 is 100,000 pounds of food.
“And it’ll be gone within two months because the need is a lot greater than it was last year,” he said.
Citing statistics he researched, Hahn said that while Calvert is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, it also has a high foreclosure rate. In addition, approximately 10,000 residents utilized food pantries this year, and the majority of the county’s hungry are not homeless, substance abusers or mentally ill, but are, rather, the working poor.
There are people now who are saying, “If I can be relieved of the price of food, maybe I can keep my house,’” Hahn said. “Our long-term goal is not just to feed people. It’s to help them become self-sufficient.”
In addition to the regular countywide food drive, the first inaugural 5k Run to End Hunger will take place on Oct. 16 at Trinity Methodist Church in Prince Frederick. The cost of the event is $20 for participants who register before Oct. 9 and $25 to register after that date.
The state has also selected Calvert County, for the first time, to be Southern Maryland’s Faith-Based Hunger site. An event is scheduled for Nov. 8, with more information to come, and Hahn hopes the county can serve as an example to other religious leaders throughout Southern Maryland.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so we’ve got to be humbled,” Hahn said. “For clergy, this is our calling. This is not an option for us.”
The Rev. Paul Liersemann of First Lutheran Church also stressed the importance of clergy men and women overcoming their different denominations to work together and reach out to people and families who are struggling to make ends meet.
“Many of these people have jobs, they’re trying to make their way and I think it’s so important that we build relationships with people, that we listen to their story,” Liersemann said. “We can do something as individuals, but corporately we can do an incredible amount of good.”
Maryland Food Bank’s director of programs, John Shaia, said he supports the pastors’ “vital” endeavors “because it shows that the government gets it. They know it’s the foot soldiers, the grassroots movement, that gets the job done.”
John Pappas from the Randle Cliff Community one of 10 county food pantries participating in End Hunger month said the main reason for choosing October was its place in the calendar year.
“In the winter months, the need for food increases drastically,” Pappas said, and autumn is a good time to start preparing.
“I’m on the warehouse side of things so the food is closer to my heart,” said Chesapeake Church’s Cathy Ring, another food pantry representative. “It’s a big deal what we’re doing here today rallying the county toward a common goal.”
Collaborating churches include: All Saints Episcopal, Bethel Way of the Cross, Calvert Lighthouse, Chesapeake Church, Church of God, Crossroad Christian Church, Dominion International, Emmanuel Church, First Lutheran, Greater Mount Zion, Jesus the Divine Word, Mt. Olive United Methodist, Olivet United Methodist, Patuxent Friends Meeting, Patuxent United Methodist, Plum Point United Methodist, Randle Cliff Community Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, St. John Vianney, St. Nicholas Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul United Methodist, Strength From Within Ministry, The Potters Place Christian Fellowship, Trinity United Methodist and Waters Memorial United Methodist.
Participating food pantries include: Bayside Baptist Church, Brooks United Methodist Church, Calvert Churches Community, Catholic Charities, Chesapeake Cares, Crossroad Christian Church, Emmanuel 7th Day Adventist, First Lutheran Church, Ladies of Charity and Randle Cliff Community.
For more information on the project and how to get involved, go to <a href=”https://old.endhungercalvert.org” target=”_blank”>www.endhungercalvert.org</a>.
To donate
Accepted food items: pasta, tomato sauce, rice/noodle side dishes, macaroni and cheese, boxed meals, cereal/oatmeal, potato/stuffing mix, stew/chili, tuna, salmon, chicken, vegetables, beans, fruit/jelly, soup, Ramen Noodles, peanut butter and cake/sweet bread mix.
Accepted hygiene items: toilet paper, paper towels, bar soap, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes and dental floss. No glass items will be accepted.

On Aug. 17, End Hunger in Calvert County (EHCC) received and distributed more than 13,000 pounds of food to partnering food pantries: Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry, Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry, Our Ladies of Charity, Catholic Charities Food Pantry, Crossroads Christian Church Food Pantry and Randle Cliffs Food Pantry.
EHCC gave out approximately 9,000 pounds of canned vegetables, bags of coffee, jars of peanut butter and canned tuna fish. In addition, it distributed more than five pallets full of fresh produce such as corn on the cob, peaches and greens.
“Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry is very blessed to be a participating partner in the End Hunger in Calvert County ministry,” Bob Gill, director of Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry, said in a press release. “Our first joint order was bountiful as we received over 750 pound[s] of fresh produce at no cost. The coordination between the volunteers was instrumental in the success of this inaugural effort to resupply our pantry. Together we will make a difference.”
“We are working with families that are struggling to forestall foreclosure,” EHCC Chairman the Rev. Robert P. Hahn said in the release. “This food helps them stay afloat. That’s what it’s always been about: helping our neighbors become self-sufficient.”
EHCC is an association of more than 40 businesses, 11 county food pantries, 26 churches and community groups united behind the goal of ending hunger in Calvert County. For more information, go to <a href=”https://old.endhungercalvert.org” target=”_blank”>www.endhungercalvert.org</a>

It was a relaxed event with a serious cause at Saturday’s Dunkirk Summer Festival, held at the Dunkirk Gateway Shopping Center.
The festival was hosted by Heavenly Chicken & Ribs owners Gary and Jennifer Armstrong and its proceeds went to the End Hunger in Calvert County program.
Gary said that money raised from the event, now in its fourth year, always has gone to some type of charitable cause or organization.
“We’ve raised money for cancer and once we helped the shelter for women, Safe Harbor,” he said, continuing that he actually was drawn to End Hunger for a personal reason.
Gary said that he had a cousin in Maine who moved to Calvert County with two young sons after being laid off from his job and, therefore, losing his house.
“End Hunger has helped him so he could put his money toward electricity and paying his rent,” Gary said of his cousin.
Chesapeake Church senior pastor Robert Hahn, the chairman of End Hunger in Calvert County, attended Saturday’s festival and said that about 10,000 Calvert County residents (20 percent of whom are children) use the food bank’s services.
Hahn said the program now is entering its third year. “We’re really moved by how the community has responded and adopted us,” Hahn said of End Hunger, which he said is supported by more than 30 local businesses.
While there was no cost to attend the festival, people were encouraged to make donations to see various people get drenched in the event’s dunking booth.
Attendees also were invited to bring non-perishable food items.
Many of the festival’s attendees included people running for local elections including Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans (R), sheriff candidate Brian Smith (R), District 27B delegate candidates Mark Fisher and Mike Blasey and Calvert County Democratic commissioner candidate Kelly McConkey.
Gary Anderson also said he expected Maryland State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert, Prince George’s) and Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert), both of whom are currently running for re-election, to come by.
He said that Calvert County Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D) had come to the festival in the morning but managed to avoid taking a plunge in the dunking booth.
“It’s like dunking your grandma,” Gary chuckled of Stinnett, who is currently running for re-election.
Both he and Hahn said there was no numerical goal for how much money they wanted the festival to raise.
“The main thing Gary’s raising is awareness. Anything that builds community is going to be beneficial to End Hunger in Calvert County,” Hahn said.
When asked about the irony of holding an End Hunger event in front of a Giant grocery store, Hahn said with a sigh, “What’s ironic is some of the people who work in Giant go to our pantry.”
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<img src=”https://old.endhungercalvert.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/festival2.png” alt=”” title=”festival2″ width=”340″ height=”340″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-228″ />

Since End Hunger In Calvert County began a little more than a year ago, schools in Calvert County have been major partners by participating in food drives.
Northern High School’s Key Club and boys soccer team recently joined in, coming together to donate $1,300 to End Hunger earlier this month.
Last September, the soccer team hosted its 14th Annual North Beach 5K Run and One-Mile Fun Walk, which draws more than 150 people each year, and decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to End Hunger, according to a release.
The Key Club donated everything raised during its 1st Annual Co-ed Student-Faculty Volleyball Tournament and had several members volunteer during the 2nd Annual End Hunger In Calvert County Bike Ride.
“The Northern High School Key Club is proud to serve others,” said JoAnne Weiland, the club’s faculty advisor, in the release.
The donation will go towards assisting local families and helping them reach self-sufficiency, EHCC Program Director Robin Brungard said. EHCC clients are working people who are unable to meet their basic needs without the help of food pantries or government assistance, she added.
“The students in Northern’s Key Club and soccer team get it,” EHCC Chairman Rev. Robert P. Hahn said in the release. “They understand that many of the kids they sit in class with, walk down the hall with, and eat lunch in the cafeteria with, are the same people they have now reached out and helped. What they have done is the epitome of what End Hunger In Calvert County stands for neighbor helping neighbor.”
Brungard said that one of the biggest challenges EHCC had from its beginning was getting people to realize that poverty was a problem in Calvert, one of the nation’s wealthiest counties. More than a year later, awareness and donations are up, she said.
“And we can always use more,” Brungard added. “We have not received so many donations that we don’t know what to do with them.”
By JEFF NEWMAN