Letter from Rev Robert P Hahn of End Hunger

Dear Calvert County,
I am writing to thank you for the amazing year we have had at End Hunger In Calvert County had in 2013. Together, we helped feed over 10,000 needy people in Calvert County and hit an all time record by distributing over 1 MILLION pounds of food to families right here in our county.
We are humbled. And we understand that no one achieves anything of value on their own. This year has truly shown the value of partnerships and combined focus.
It is impossible to list the names all the people, organziations and partners that are at the core of the End Hunger effort. But please know that your names are known not only by us but by our Heavenly Father who sees all.
In many ways 2013 was a year of firsts for our cause.
In June we hosted our 1st Annual Dragon Boat Festival in North Beach. If you participated in this event, you remember what a huge success it was! Twenty teams raced throughout the day and over 2,000 spectators attended. During that first year, together we raised over $25,000 … all to help feed hungry families. The festival returns on June 22, 2014.
This fall we launched our first Culinary Training Program to get unemployed and underemployed people back to work. The eighteen students who made up our first graduating class held internships in local restaurants and most have already landed full-time positions. Our goal now is to offer the program four times in 2014, graduating a total of 80 students. For more information and to learn how you can get involved, visit endhungercalvert.org/works.
Additionaly, End Hunger In Calvert County received two major recognitions in 2013. We were voted Best Charity in Calvert County’s 2013 People’s Choice Awards. This recognition is most rewarding, because it came from you, our community. There are so many great charities in our county it’s an honor to be included alongside them.
Also, the Better Business Bureau recognized End Hunger In Calvert County as an Accredited Charity, awarding us it’s Wise Giving Designation for meeting all 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability. This certification means that when you donate to End Hunger In Calvert County you can do so with confidence.
Lastly, this year, we saw sports teams, businesses, and community groups engage and get involved with End Hunger In Calvert County like no other year. You have truly taken End Hunger and made it your own, finding creative ways to do what you love and making a difference while you do it. Together, we have improved the quality of life in Calvert.
On behalf of the entire End Hunger In Calvert County team, thank you for believing and embracing in the cause. Your work brings to life the #givewhereyoulive value and constantly affirms that at least in our corner of the world, hope is real and that the ‘neighbor helping neighbor’ attitude still lives.
It is a privilege to work alongside you and we are already gearing up for another unforgettable year together!
May God bless you and those you love,
Rev. Robert P. Hahn
CEO, End Hunger In Calvert County
#givewhereyoulive

St. John Vianney Interfaith Food Pantry serves the community for the holidays

In an average week, the St. John Vianney Interfaith Food Pantry serves about 112 families and gives away about 3,000 pounds of food to those in need. On Wednesday, the pantry served a little extra to its clients for the holidays.

The Interfaith Food Pantry was formed two years ago to address and serve the needs of less fortunate families in the county. In that first week, the pantry served 31 families from central Calvert, including Port Republic, Prince Frederick and Huntingtown, said Gordon Norwood, the pantry’s office manager.

Larry Donnelly, the pantry’s director, said he is happy to be able to serve the community but feels bittersweet about the increase in families served per week.
“It’s really sad,” Donnelly said. “With some of these families, both parents work, and they have kids. … Once they’ve paid their bills and bought gas, they’re wiped out. … What they get from us helps them keep up with bills.”
On Wednesday, in addition to getting the usual bags and boxes filled with canned vegetables, frozen meats and breads, each family received a box filled with everything needed for a holiday dinner, plus a 13-pound turkey, dessert, poinsettias and toys for children.
Donnelly estimated the pantry gave away 5,000 pounds of food Wednesday alone, compared to the 4,400 pounds of food given away at Thanksgiving, when the pantry served 163 families, including 91 children, 101 senior citizens and 159 adults.
“We have a fantastic parish and a fantastic community that has helped us,” Donnelly said.
With food purchased from the Maryland Food Bank and donations received from the church and community, partnerships with the local business community and a cooperative relationship with the End Hunger in Calvert County program, the pantry has been able to give away about 180,000 pounds of food since it opened, Norwood said.
“It’s just a joy and a blessing to serve the community,” Norwood said. “… We hope to have the resources to do this for as long as possible.”
In addition to volunteers from the church, student volunteers from Cardinal Hickey Academy and St. Mary’s Ryken High School came to help distribute the food.
“I can’t say enough about my volunteers,” Donnelly said. “They help make this run.”
Amanda Ortiz, 18, a senior at Huntingtown High School and member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, has been volunteering for the food pantry since its inception. Ortiz works in the computer room helping to register and validate clients when they come to pick up their food, as well as striking up a conversation with them.
“I like talking to the clients and hearing about their day,” Ortiz said. “It’s refreshing to meet someone new all the time.”
Rocky Ragano, a weekly volunteer from Prince Frederick, said he enjoys “just seeing the smiles on the faces of people when they pick up their food.”
“Most people are very thankful and very nice and appreciative of what we do,” Ragano said.
Donnelly and pantry volunteer Don Mueller said they are amazed that whenever there is a need, someone comes through with a donation for what is needed. On separate occasions, the pantry has received checks to pay for a van, a truck and a dumbwaiter to carry food from one floor to the next to help the volunteers and to keep the pantry going.
“Whenever there’s a need, somebody comes through,” Mueller said.
The pantry is open from 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday next to St. John Vianney. To donate, log onto to the pantry’s website, www.siv.church.us/foodpantry, and donate through PayPal.
by Sara Newman Staff writer
snewman@somdnews.com

HHS Varsity Boy’s Soccer Donates to End Hunger

Team brings #givewhereyoulive spirit to life.
“We were looking for a way to get our athletes thinking about the community they live in and how they can serve it outside of sports,” says Jason Cranford, Head Coach. And with that, members of Huntingtown High School’s (HHS) Boys Varsity Soccer Team collected over $3,000 during their inaugural service project to benefit End Hunger In Calvert County.
It was important to the team’s coaches, Jason Cranford and Jonathan Reid, to encourage personal development within their players, both on the field and in their individual lives. “End Hunger In Calvert County was that opportunity”, Cranford continued.
Four of the team’s seniors, Marcus Reid, Tim Murnin, Daniel Henderson, and John Owen, led the project and created multiple ways for their teammates to get involved. Players collected pledges for each goal the team scored throughout the season and had donation jars at each home game to allow their fans to participate.
In all, the team collected $3,051.00.
“We were truly moved by what the Boys Varsity team accomplished and the creative ways they found to incorporate End Hunger into their season,” says Jacqueline Miller, Director of Awareness. “The team brought to life our #givewhereyoulive spirit. They made a huge difference for people right here in Calvert County, some of whom attend their own school. We’re looking forward to working with them again next season.”
In addition to collecting donations, the project incorporated a service component. Collectively, players harvested produce with Farming 4 Hunger, an End Hunger In Calvert County partner. “This aspect was important to us because of the tangible, real world application of helping to provide food for others. They got to see what the entire process looked like from harvesting the potatoes, to packaging it for shipment”, says Cranford.
The four seniors who headed up this years’ project are responsible for choosing and equipping next-year’s project leaders. This project is something the team plans to continue and pass down year-after-year.
To learn how your team or community group can get involved with End Hunger In Calvert County, visit their website at endhungercalvert.org or email info@old.endhungercalvert.org.
Pictured: HHS Varsity Boys Soccer Team, Head Coach Jason Cranford, Jacqueline Miller Director of Awareness, End Hunger In Calvert County and Ahna Turley Community Coordinator, End Hunger In Calvert County.

Another step for End Hunger

End Hunger in Calvert County has taken yet another step in fulfilling its mission. Last Monday, 18 adults graduated the organization’s inaugural Culinary Training Program, which helped give these adults the tools they need to not only find their way around the kitchen, but make them prime candidates to work locally in a restaurant or bakery.
This is the second program End Hunger created to help adults land a job and become self-sustaining members of the community. Last December, 24 members of End Hunger’s first electrical training program graduated, having received training necessary to land jobs at local electric companies.
All of this training in culinary and electrical skills was provided for free to qualifying students by End Hunger and partnering organizations.
While End Hunger started in 2008 as a food pantry aimed at helping those in need, it has always aimed to eradicate the roots of hunger. Unemployment obviously makes it difficult for someone to provide for themselves or their family, and by giving willing participants the opportunity to learn new, needed and marketable skills, End Hunger is taking yet another step in its mission to eradicate hunger in Calvert.
With a music festival, bike ride, 5K run/walk, and its Foodstock events, End Hunger is a force to be reckoned with. Even most recently during government furloughs, End Hunger stepped up to make sure employees suffering the effects of a dysfunctional government would not go without. We commend these selfless efforts.
The Rev. Robert Hahn and the Chesapeake Church congregation may have taken on a huge challenge, but nothing seems to be stopping this juggernaut. With each job training program, fundraising challenge or food distribution event, End Hunger in Calvert County is chiseling away at the number of those in need. Helping those in need gain skills to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community is another smart way to achieve this goal.

18 graduate End Hunger’s inaugural culinary program

Experience ‘offers permanent solutions to poverty,’ nonprofit director says
After eight weeks of learning their way around the kitchen, 18 county residents are now on their way to a new culinary career.
On Monday night, the 18 students graduated from End Hunger in Calvert County’s inaugural Culinary Training Program, in which they learned new cooking techniques and different types of cooking to prepare them for a culinary career.
“This is a big change. This is a career change for me,” said graduate Lisa Garrett, who has had difficulty finding a job as a park ranger. “It’s still hard to wrap my mind around.”
The culinary training program consisted of six weeks of learning and classroom training, followed by a two-week internship at a local restaurant or bakery.
“It offers permanent solutions to poverty, and when we work with our community partners, it gives us an opportunity to offer a life-changing opportunity to a student, to a family, probably someone that lives next door to you,” Robin Brungard, director of programs with End Hunger in Calvert County, said of End Hunger’s work training program.
Her favorite part of the program, Garrett of North Beach said, was being introduced to new techniques and new foods she wasn’t familiar with, such as Thai cooking. Garrett’s husband and guinea pig at home, Chris Garrett, said her new cooking techniques have “made things she likes to do better.”
Even at Thanksgiving, Lisa Garrett was trying new ways to cook the turkey and new stuffing ideas, Chris Garrett said.
For graduate Van Trammell of Solomons, cooking has always been a part of his life. Trammell said he has held various cooking jobs since he was in high school, and after serving in the U.S. Army, he decided culinary arts was the path for him.
The Rev. Robert Hahn, senior pastor of Chesapeake Church and CEO of End Hunger in Calvert County, said the culinary program was a perfect fit for End Hunger.
“Hospitality is one of the fastest growing industries in the state,” Hahn said, and cooks are a growth position regardless of the economy. Once he started asking around at restaurants, he discovered there’s a need for cooks. “It all just started to make sense. We’re about food. We’re about feeding people,” he said during the ceremony.
By creating an opportunity for residents to earn “living-wage careers” and become self-sufficient, Hahn said this is an investment that will come back to the state.
Hahn told the graduates, “We are so proud of you. You are our hope. What you have done — I don’t think that you realize that years and years from now, students from future classes … will look back … they will stand in your shadow, and they will stand on your shoulders, and they will always remember the groundbreaking work because you’ll understand one day that more than putting our trust in you, you have put your trust in us and you have revitalized our hope in what people can do for each other.”
Graduate Austin Ritchie said his journey before the program was not easy, and he made several bad decisions, but End Hunger and the culinary program were part of his process of renewal.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the culinary training program. In six weeks of class and kitchen time, I learned more than I expected to, from making pasta and different sauces from scratch to baking cakes, which I had a blast with,” Ritchie said during the ceremony.
Fellow graduate Nicole White, who is graduating with a baking job, said her dream was to work in early child care development, but when she became a mother at a young age, “my dreams were put on hold to fulfill my obligations as a mother.”
Upon learning her son was allergic to many foods, White began cooking different things and enrolled at a culinary institute in Baltimore. “Then my life turned completely upside down,” when her son began to have health problems, “which delayed my hopes and dreams once again,” she said.
In the following years, White said, she married and had a second son. Once they were older, she said, she started to think about what she wanted to do and decided to try the culinary training program.
“I was nervous walking into class the first day but was ready to start the new chapter in my crazy life,” White said. “… I really liked the reading material but fell in love with the kitchen.”
Culinary instructor Caroline Allie told the graduates, “I’m so super proud. I mean, I can’t really say enough how proud I am. … I love all of you for so many different reasons. … As much as you all are grateful to have been a part of it, I’m more grateful to have been there for you.”
By AMANDA SCOTT
Staff writer
ascott@somdnews.com

Calvert County feels impact of federal government shutdown

Residents, business owners share struggles during shutdown
After working for the Department of Homeland Security for about 10 years, Jennifer Malenab said she is considering a career change due to the way government employees have been treated these last two weeks.
“More than anything, I feel disappointed,” the Chesapeake Beach resident said. “I’ve always been so proud to be a federal employee, especially for DHS … but I have never felt so let down by anything or any person in my life. I really feel like the government failed me.”
Malenab is one of many government employees living in Calvert County who were furloughed once Congress failed to agree on a budget and the federal government shut down last week.
Malenab has two daughters currently in private school and is pregnant with her third child, and the lack of income has left her scrambling to pay her bills, she said.
“I’m one of the many families that bought a house when the market was good and now we’re underwater … and we’re living paycheck to paycheck even though I make good money, and this is a breaking point for us,” she said.
From non-government workers, Malenab said she is constantly told not to worry because she will get paid eventually.
“Even if I do get paid, whenever it happens, it didn’t help me pay my bills at this time, to pay my daughter’s tuition, to buy gas,” she said. “I can never be made whole ­­— emotionally, financially — there’s nothing they can ever do … to make me the same as if this hadn’t happened.”
Malenab said people are wrong in their assumptions that government workers will automatically receive retroactive pay. She said the House voted to approve the bill, and the Senate has not as of press time, and the bill only gives agencies the ability to pay employees back; it doesn’t require it.
Malenab said the furlough is draining her savings account, and her plans to purchase a van “because we have three kids now” have been squashed.
“I just don’t think they realize [that] everyone is going to be tapping into every resource that they had to save some money … because we don’t know when we’re going to get paid again,” she said. “Any stability that people were starting to have again after the economic crisis, they’ve just knocked us completely down.”
North Beach resident Brian Greenwell, who has worked for the U.S. Census for about 11 years, said he has been occupying his time since he was furloughed last Tuesday with household chores, such as painting his living room and yard work.
“It’s just really frustrating, [because I] want to go back to work,” he said. “The good part about it is I’m getting things done around the house.”
Not receiving a paycheck from not being able to go to work is another source of frustration for Greenwell, but “luckily,” he said he and his wife “are smart to have saved our money, but that can only last for so long.” He said so far, the furlough has not affected him financially, but he is “dipping into” his savings to help pay his bills.
“We’re expecting to get one more check for about a week and a half of work, and where we go from there, I don’t know,” Greenwell said, adding that he has received help from some of his friends. “I know the House has passed a bill to pay us when we do go back [to work], but when will that happen? That’s the key thing — when will it happen?”
Greenwell said he is also feeling angry about the shutdown, as though government officials are “grown adults acting like kids.”
“They’re forgetting about what the nation is going through,” he said. “I guess they forgot who put them in office. … We have to remember these folks that are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing and vote them out. When I was a kid, if I got in trouble, I got put in a corner. I wish I could put all the politicians in the corner.”
In Calvert, the local community knows there are many others like Malenab and Greenwell who have been furloughed for the past two weeks.
After handing out more than 2,000 pounds of food Monday during its first event, End Hunger in Calvert County is holding a second “Food for Furlough” event from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 14, at Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry in Huntingtown, to help furloughed federal employees who may be struggling to put food on the table.
Director of Awareness Jacqueline Miller said End Hunger received an influx of emails from individuals and families in need of assistance once the government shut down.
“There was a special distribution [held] because of the response that we got,” she said.
Miller said about 2,700 pounds of food were distributed to 71 families during Monday’s event, which took place at the food pantry. She said End Hunger decided to hold a second “Food for Furlough” event because many families affected by the shutdown do not know the next time they will be paid.
“Talking to some of the families, even if they know that they are going to get paid eventually, they don’t know when it’s coming,” Miller said. “A lot of people in this county … they’re living paycheck to paycheck, so not getting their income is impacting them greatly. We want to be able to support them as long as the furlough is going on; we want to step in and fill that gap for them until they no longer are in need.”
Since not only government workers, but government contractors and gas station and restaurant owners in Washington, D.C., are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, Miller said presenting identification is not necessary to receive food during the event.
“They’re all feeling the effect of the furlough,” Miller said. “It’s not only just for the federal employees; it’s for anyone impacted.”
It’s for family “breadwinners” like Jennifer McDaniel, a North Beach resident who was furloughed from her position with the Department of Commerce at the Census Bureau. McDaniel said not receiving a paycheck has affected her ability to pay bills and buy food.
“I don’t have that fear of permanently losing my job, but there are others who rely on my income for their livelihoods, especially those in the service industry,” McDaniel said.
Those individuals, McDaniel added, do not have the luxury of knowing pay for this past week and a half will be reimbursed.
“It affects the entire community,” McDaniel added. “Where those [government] employees live, work and consume.”
A member of Chesapeake Church, McDaniel endorsed End Hunger in Calvert County for helping those furloughed employees whose delayed paychecks are affecting their ability to provide for themselves and their families.
But for some federal workers, the shutdown has provided needed time for mental regrouping.
Port Republic resident Dawn Keen, who has been furloughed since last Tuesday from her job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said she’s using her time to “get my sanity” and rest.
Keen said between driving to and from work for more than two hours, spending the day working and then coming home to take care of her 2-year-old daughter, her disabled mother and her stepfather, she’s “thankful” for the rest.
“The day-to-day has been very stressful, but it has given me time to just catch up,” Keen said.
She said, “I’m thankful to Congress for sending us home while they work it out” because of the anxiety it creates. When other people verbally attack government workers saying how well they have it, she said that just adds to the anxiety.
Through the whole experience, Keen said she’s continued to support local businesses.
“There are a lot of us who continue to shop and do things and support local businesses,” she said. During the week, she patronizes several businesses, whether it be retail or restaurants, while trying to maintain a semi-normal schedule during the shutdown — assuming she’s going to receive back-pay.
“A lot of us are relying on faith that we’re going to get back-pay,” she said.
Vicki Soto, a mother of two who works for the Environmental Protection Agency and recently moved to the county from Silver Spring, has been filling her furlough days with unpacking and settling into her new home. She said her family has not been able to explore the county like she would have preferred because the extra spending money is not there for activities like going out to eat.
Soto has also put a hault on renovating her new home. Now, she says, is not the best time for her to be without a paycheck because of the new move and impending mortgage payments. Come November, Soto said, her family will really feel the effects of the shutdown.
“November will be tough because I’ll have to dip into my savings account to pay my bills to overcome not receiving a paycheck,” Soto said.
Soto has looked into filing for unemployment and may do so depending on how long the furloughs last and whether she will be reimbursed for the shutdown.
“Government employees have been furloughed already this year,” Soto said. “[Combined] I think a whole month of not getting paid is scary. That’s a really big pay cut to not plan on. I’m lucky that I have savings to go to; I don’t know what people who don’t have savings will do.”
“It shakes the confidence of everybody,” said Dwayne Crawford, owner and manager of Family Auto Mercedes BMW specialist, in Owings.
“As a business owner, I try to stay politically neutral with the public,” Crawford added. “But it’s becoming harder to remain publicly neutral.”
Crawford said normally his family business fares well during difficult economic times because government employees are the “bread and butter” of his business, but this time he is seeing the effects trickle-down, from those who have canceled appointments to purchase vehicles, to those who are not putting miles on their cars from driving to work, delaying the need for maintenance Crawford’s business performs. He said he has recently hired new employees but is holding off on hiring for another position because the income is not there.
Crawford said lowered earnings are affecting his hiring ability and charitable contributions. He will continue to contribute 1 percent of his earnings to local causes, like he has since opening his commercial location in the county in 2003, “but 1 percent of less income is still less of a donation,” Crawford said.
In an effort to support those customers who have been with him since the beginning, Crawford said he has taken extra steps, extended credit and offered necessary services to furloughed individuals with the promise they will be reimbursed once the shutdown is over.
“We’re all in this together,” Crawford said.
Carolyn Hart, president and CEO of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, echoed Crawford’s sentiment.
“Our community needs to come together and support each other,” Hart said.
Hart said she has seen effects of the shutdown throughout the county, from real estate to hospitality to local shops, restaurants and hiring.
“So much of our community relies on the government,” Hart said. “Sixty percent of our community leaves the county to go to work, so that disposable income has been affected.”
For these struggling businesses, Hart said it is imperative to “think outside the box,” and collaborate with other business owners.
“Entrepreneurs are creative and they need to not be afraid of trying something new,” Hart said. “You cannot depend on things remaining the same, obviously. That’s the only way they are going to survive.”
Nick Garrett, owner of the Garrett Music Academy, agrees that the shutdown has greatly affected private businesses. Though furloughs have not impacted his business as much, Garrett said he has noticed a drop in music lessons.
“In the mid-90s, Congress was full of heavy hitters who knew how to use the shutdown to get what they wanted,” Garrett said. “I don’t have faith that Congress now knows what they’re doing.”
By KATIE FITZPATRICK, SARA NEWMAN and AMANDA SCOTT
Staff writers
kfitzpatrick@somdnews.com
snewman@somdnews.com
ascott@somdnews.com

End Hunger to host ‘Food for Furlough’ event Monday

Also seeks donations to help families struggling amid gov’t shutdown
In light of this week’s government shutdown, resulting in many furloughed federal employees, End Hunger in Calvert County announced it will host a “Food for Furlough” event Monday, Oct. 7.
From 2 to 4 p.m., anyone in the local community who may be hurting financially as a result of the shutdown is invited to visit the Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry at 6045 Solomons Island Road in Huntingtown, to receive frozen meats and canned foods, End Hunger spokeswoman Jacqueline Miller said.
Food portions will be distributed based on family size and needs, and no IDs will be checked, Miller said, adding that depending on how long the shutdown lasts, End Hunger may continue holding additional Food for Furlough days.
“Nobody knows how long the furloughs are going to last, but we’re going to be preparing to respond as long as we need to,” Miller said.
She said End Hunger also is asking for community donations to help supply more families with food during the shutdown.
To donate, or for additional End Hunger partner pantry hours and locations, go to www.endhungercalvert.org.
MEGHAN RUSSELL

Support End Hunger in Calvert this month

The Maryland Senate and Calvert County Board of County Commissioners officially declare October as End Hunger In Calvert County Month. Did you know:
• End Hunger In Calvert County’s partner food pantries serve more than 850 families every single week?
• During the month of October, End Hunger has several events for individuals, families, groups and businesses to get involved and #givewhereyoulive?
First, our Countywide Food Drive kicked off Oct. 1 and lasts through November. Last year, our community collected more than 590,000 pounds of food. All of it stayed right here in Calvert County supplying our 10 local food pantries. Most of Calvert’s grocery stores, Walmarts and library branches serve as major collection sites. Exact locations and a food list with suggested items to donate can be found at endhungercalvert.org.
In addition, every public school in Calvert County will participate. We encourage all parents of school-aged children to visit our website, endhungercalvert.org. There, you will find our 2013 Parents Letter, a calendar that lists your child’s individual school food drive date, as well as a food list with suggested items to donate.
Second, our 5K Run to End Hunger is on Saturday, Oct. 19. This year’s run will be hosted at The Calverton School in Huntingtown. Same-day registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. The course is 3.1 miles and is part of Calverton’s cross-country trail. Registration is $35 and includes a race day T-shirt and swag bag. More information and a link to register is on our website, endhungercalvert.org.
Third, our third annual Bike, Truck and Car Show is also happening on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Oct. 26) at Bayside Chevrolet in Prince Frederick. All years, makes and models are welcome, and we have plenty of awards to give away. Entry is $10 per car and spectators are free. New this year is a performance from Sam Grow.
For more information on all of our events, up-to-date hunger facts or a list of our partner food pantries, or to make a donation, visit our website at endhungercalvert.org.
In closing, End Hunger In Calvert County was recently accredited by the Better Business Bureau for meeting all 20 Standards of Charity Accountability. When you donate to End Hunger In Calvert County and #givewhereyoulive, you can do so with confidence. No matter how you get involved this October, know that you are making a real difference for real people right here in Calvert County.
We look forward to another incredible End Hunger In Calvert County Month together.
Jacqueline Miller, Huntingtown
The writer is the director of awareness for End Hunger In Calvert County.

Fourth Annual 5K Run & Walk to End Hunger

Proceeds from the event will directly support the mission of End Hunger In Calvert County.
On Saturday October 19, 2012 The Calverton School in Huntingtown will host the 4th Annual 5K RUN to End Hunger In Calvert County.
Registration for the run is $30 until October 1st and $35 after. Registration costs includes race admission, a swag bag and race day t-shirt. Runners can register online at endhungercalvert.org and same day registration is available.
Walkers are welcome! All proceeds for the event go to benefit End Hunger In Calvert County. Walkers are Welcome!
“The Run to End Hunger is a great way for people to do what they love and make a difference while they do it,” stated Staci Lagana, Run Coordinator. “ October is officially End Hunger Month and this is a perfect fit to have the race proceeds support End Hunger In Calvert County. We have been so blessed by the our pouring of support from the community and are so excited to partner with End Hunger and help people in our own backyard!”
The race is 3.2 miles and will be held on The Calverton School’s beautiful cross-country trail. In addition to the 5k, there will be a Kids Fun Run for children 6 and younger and their course will stay right on The Calverton School’s campus.
CASH PRIZE Awards for the overall top male and female will be given as well as awards for the top male and female runners in each age bracket. Race time for the Kid’s Fun Run is 8:15 am and the 5k beginning at 8:30am.
Participants have a 90-minute time limit with timing provided by the Chesapeake Bay Running Club. The course is a fast, mostly flat, outback course. We ask that you please not bring any pets, bicycles, or rollerblades/skates. For more information and to register, visit endhungercalvert.org.
About End Hunger In Calvert County:
EHCC is an association of over 50 businesses, 11 county food pantries, 26 churches and community groups united behind the goal of ending hunger in our county. For more information visit us online atwww.endhungercalvert.org

Blues Fest for End Hunger a Success

On Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, the Calvert County Fairgrounds hosted the Southern Maryland Blues Fest for Calvert County’s End Hunger. The weather, although a little on the warm side, cooperated with sun and no rain.
Attendance each day reached approximately 1,000 but if you included the volunteers, closer to 1200. There were lots of vendors on the grounds selling food, beverages, clothing, jewelry, candles, cars, cosmetics and many non profits offering literature on a variety of subjects. For the younger set, there was face painting and a moon bounce. Brew’s Alley had sampling of America’s leading craft beers and one of Calvert own, Mully’s Brewery.
Soon it was time to hear what the crowd was waiting for, the performers. The stage show opened with a prayer by Rev. Robert Hahn from End Hunger and the Calvert High NJROTC posting the colors. Andre Jones sang the National Anthem and then the sounds of the blues filled the air, as the Sam Grow Band took the stage. Attendees were dancing and singing along as each act came on stage. The Patty Reese Band was another crowd favorite, with Tommy Lepson, Dean Rosenthal and Ursula Ricks. New Orleans’ Bonerama was crowd pleasing with their funk rock along with guitarist Walter Trout with his hard core blues roots. Ana Popovic and Mo’ Better Love with their horn section, reminded people of the great blues in New Orleans. And rounding out the day was Canned Heat with their boogie blues from over the past 40 years.
Speaking with Sam Grow after the concert, I asked him why he decided to be a part of the event and he said “I am honored to be a part of it and share the stage with so many talented musicians. I am blessed to do this for others.”
Ripley on the Rocket was there and chatting with him, I asked him what his thoughts were on the event. He told me “I’m glad to have another rock and blues base in Southern Maryland, where people can get together and have a good time and help raise money for local charities and End Hunger in Calvert County”.
Sunday started with the duo Swampcandy, Joey Mitchell and Ruben Dobbs, who wails the blues. The Daryl Davis Band with Kingfish (young blues phenom) and Del Puschert (former sax player with Elvis Presley), Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys and their bayou Creole music, Mark Hummell, Billy Boy Arnold and Sugar Ray Norcia all playing harmonicas in tribute to Remembering Little Walter and the Trampled Under Foot group of three siblings from Kansas City, who were influenced by their parents blues gave the crowd their money’s worth. The final act was the Marshall Tucker band who brought the house down and ended the fest.
“Not all the performers and vendors donated their services”, said Rev. Hahn. “Some did and others made contributions, or gave reduced fees. We have to remember that for many performers and vendors, this is in their income base and we respect that. What’s important is that all the performers and vendors included us in their schedule-they all have many choices about where to perform or sell, but they wanted to support our cause by helping us have a top notch event.”
I asked Rev. Hahn how much was raised over the two days and he said it was too soon to tell as there are invoices and contributions that keep coming in for several more weeks. He added that he expected to do well, but it was not just about money-because community awareness and involvement have high value as well.
Rev. Hahn continued, “My own last thoughts-I was very proud of the End Hunger volunteers who came out and served tirelessly for two days. They don’t do it because they like doing big events and the young volunteers rarely listen to blues. They served because they believe in the cause with a driving passion-that’s inspiring. The young volunteers, in particular, are the generation of leaders in our country-for that we should all be proud”.
Margit Miller / Staff Writer / Editor