St. Mary’s Caring volunteers reference check lists while distributing food to families Monday, Nov. 20.
Lexington Park, MD – As a volunteer handed a frozen turkey to him, an unidentified young man declared, “God bless you.” A line out the door formed around 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Caring soup kitchen on the campus of Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lexington Park Monday, Nov. 20. Those who stood in line, eventually advancing to a table where volunteers verified their requests for aid, included the community’s unemployed, working poor, disabled and elderly. The organization aids anyone enduring a tough time. At Thanksgiving time St. Mary’s Caring distributes 100 turkeys and baskets to members of the community.
About 13 volunteers worked briskly to provide those seeking help in making an appropriate Thanksgiving repast possible. They loaded tote bags with boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, a stick of butter, fresh sweet potatoes, fresh apples and of course, frozen turkeys.
“I’ve been blessed,” said a volunteer, who would only give her first name—Karol. She said this was her second church-sponsored food giveaway in three days. Karol indicated her gratefulness for a good life gives her the spark of altruism, especially at Thanksgiving. “If I wasn’t willing to share with others I’d be a nasty person. What would Jesus do?”
Kristen Millen of St. Mary’s Caring told TheBayNet.com that the organization purchases the turkeys from an area grocer and obtains basket items from the Maryland Food Bank through the End Hunger in Calvert initiative.
St. Mary’s Caring has its origins in a soup kitchen that was started nearly 25 years ago. The organization has about 60 volunteers but could always use more. Additionally, St. Mary’s Cares has one part-time staff member and a volunteer board of directors. For more information about St. Mary’s Caring, call them at 301-863-5700.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
