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News from the St. Michaels Community Center

Sen. Ben Cardin tours St. Michaels Community Center

5/18/2022

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Senator Cardin Picture 2U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, third from the left, meets St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, right, while SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook, and his wife Karen look on. Sen. Cardin visited the St. Michaels Community Center on May 15 to see the Center’s current facilities and to go over plans for renovations. The World War II-era building was built as a lumber storage warehouse and has seen only minimal upgrades over its 80-year lifetime. It has no windows and most of the spaces have no insulation, no heat, and no air conditioning, among other issues.
(ST. MICHAELS, MD – May 18, 2022) U.S. Senator Ben Cardin visited the St. Michaels Community Center on Sunday, May 15 for a tour of the facility and to discuss major renovation plans with Community Center leadership. The Community Center is seeking federal funding to support its renovation project.
 
First elected to the Senate in 2006, Senator Cardin currently serves as Chair of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee and is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Finance, and Environment & Public Works committees.


​“The St. Michaels Community Center is doing important work addressing hunger in our communities,” said Sen. Cardin regarding SMCC’s food distribution program that serves people from Royal Oak to Tilghman Island, Md. “The Center’s plans for culinary job training also will fill an important need – helping to strengthen and maintain the strongest, most capable workforce for St. Michaels and the State of Maryland.”
SMCC already has raised almost $3 million toward its $4.5 million goal to rebuild its aged building in the Town’s Historic District, including $1.225 million from the State of Maryland and almost $1.75 million from private donors and foundations. 
​“We’re honored by Sen. Cardin’s interest in our plans,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. “State and federal support can go a long way to making the long-overdue renovation happen to let us serve more people when our new building is complete.” 
Senator Cardin Picture1From left: St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook, and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin at SMCC’s Community Café. Senator Cardin stopped by on May 15 for a tour of the facility and to discuss improvement plans with Community Center leadership.
The new facility will include a modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen, where SMCC plans to train people for jobs in restaurants and hotels, and from which the Center can continue to serve and deliver prepared meals and tens of thousands of bags of groceries to those in need.
 
A Technology Center where students can do their homework and space for community gatherings also are included in the plans, along with classrooms where Chesapeake College and others can provide high-level instruction right in the middle of town.
 
Architectural renderings of the new building and more about SMCC’s planned capital improvements, including information about how to support the campaign, can be found at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.  
 
The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round programs and activities for children, families, and adults. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area.


Senator Cardin Picture 3
From left: SMCC Past Advisory Board President Karen Shook, SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, and SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe go over renderings and floor plans for the new St. Michaels Community Center. The new Center is planned to open in 2023, with fundraising currently underway. See more at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.
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St. Michaels Community Center Launches Capital Campaign

5/11/2022

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – May 11, 2022) The St. Michaels Community Center is kicking off the first capital campaign in its 32-year history to renew, rebuild, and revitalize its aged building in the Town’s Historic District. 
 
The St. Michaels Community Center purchased its Railroad Avenue headquarters in 2015. The structure was constructed before World War II as a lumber storage warehouse. It’s had only minimal changes and upgrades since then. The nonprofit has made do with its crudely constructed interior, no windows, no heat or air conditioning in most of the building, and without handicapped accessibility, among other issues. 
“Our building’s primary asset is its location in the commercial district near the people we serve,” said St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “This long-awaited adaptive renovation will make the St. Michaels Community Center the only fully-equipped resource center for social services on the Bay Hundred peninsula.”
The planned renovations will include a fully equipped modern commercial kitchen to expand food distribution and meal service to those in need, and training for jobs in restaurants and hotels. Bright, well-equipped classrooms and a multipurpose room for community gatherings are included in the plans, with the Community Center anticipating double the number of people making use of the Center compared to today’s participation levels, once the new building is fully operational.
“This will give us a place to do our best work and have the greatest impact on the lives of the children and adults we serve,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. 
Shook says more than half of the necessary funding already has been raised, including $1.225 million from the State of Maryland. 
“The State’s support is a great vote of confidence for our first-ever capital campaign and an investment in securing a sustainable future for the Community Center’s essential work,” said Shook. “We serve at the heart of this community, and these improvements will give us a much better platform from which to serve our community.” 
​“This funding will help us to have the improved facilities needed to support our food distribution program and a new culinary arts workforce training program, for example,” said Rofe. “This will benefit our participants and local restaurants in need of well-trained employees.
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“We’d like to start a Farm-to-Table program that will explore every topic related to nutrition and health, and for growing vegetables and fruits in our 40 community garden plots.”
Rofe says the Town’s Historic District Commission praised and unanimously approved the design of the renovated building, and an application for a building permit has been submitted to the Town.
 
The nonprofit is now inviting the public to participate in fundraising for the new building, with naming opportunities and more in the works before an anticipated 2022 groundbreaking. 
“SMCC’s priority commitment is to the needs of the region’s population who lack the resources to lift themselves from poverty,” said Shook. “We will continue our long-time commitment to the food insecure and will add to that workforce development programming to enable adults’ transition to self-sufficiency.”
Architectural renderings of the new building and more about SMCC’s capital improvements, including information about how to support the campaign, can be found at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.  
 
The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round programs and activities for children, families, and adults. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area.

The St. Michaels Community Center Today
Street View, New St. Michaels Community Center
Interior, Towards Back, New St. Michaels Community Center
Our Christmas Toy Drive is a Big Hit at the St. Michaels Community Center
After-School Programs
Summer Concert Series
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St. Michaels Community Center receives Christ Church St. Michaels donation

4/20/2022

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – April 20, 2022) Members of the St. Michaels Food Pantry and Christ Church St. Michaels recently presented a $10,000 donation to the St. Michaels Community Center in support of its ongoing food distribution program. 
“This support does a great deal of good in helping our neighbors who are facing food insecurities,” said St. Michaels Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We’re grateful our organizations connected last year and for the ongoing support.”
The St. Michaels Food Pantry of Christ Church consolidated its operations with the St. Michaels Community Center last fall to centralize food distribution for St. Michaels and Bay Hundred area residents.  
“The St. Michaels Community Center is doing a great job meeting the needs of our community,” said Christ Church Food Pantry Board member Mary Ellen Olcese. “We feel fortunate to be able to continue our support in this way, so that no one faces hunger in our community.” 
Individuals can support St. Michaels Community Center’s operations by making a tax-deductible donation at www.stmichaelscc.org or by dropping off non-perishables at the St. Michaels Community Center, located at 103 Railroad Ave., in the historic district of St. Michaels. An outdoor pantry is additionally set up at the community center for anyone in need or wanting to donate non-perishable food items. 

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round programs and activities. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area. 

More information is at stmichaelscc.org. More about Christ Church is at christstmichaels.org.
                                 
Christ Church Donation Picture
From left: St. Michaels Community Center Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy DeWitt and Executive Director Patrick Rofe; with St. Michaels Food Pantry Board members Susan Armstrong, Mary Ellen Olcese, and Jeff Hart, who recently presented a $10,000 donation in support of SMCC’s food distribution program. Take-out meals and pantry bags are provided at SMCC to those in need during select hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with an outside non-perishables pantry and more at www.stmichaelscc.org.

Outdoor Pantry
Outdoor Pantry
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Concerts in the Park series kicks off June 16 in St. Michaels, Md.

4/5/2022

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – April 5, 2022) The St. Michaels Community Center’s free, waterfront Summer Concert Series is returning on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to Muskrat Park in St. Michaels beginning June 16 and continuing through Sept. 1.
 
The concert series starts with the sounds and melodies of local favorite JCT33 playing their ‘little bit country, little bit rock 'n roll.’ All 12 performances are listed on the St. Michaels Community Center’s website.
 
Muskrat Park features an expansive lawn overlooking St. Michaels Harbor and the Miles River and includes a covered gazebo for performances, with plenty of locally-owned restaurants and parking nearby.
 
Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or their own seating, along with friends, family, neighbors, your leashed dog, or just yourself to enjoy the concerts. Picnics are encouraged, with alcohol prohibited.
 
The free concert series is made possible through the generous sponsorship of local businesses acknowledged at each concert. Early, gold sponsors include 
Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Bridges Land Management, The Crab Claw Restaurant, Gina's Café, Guildford & Company, Hammy's Burgers & Shakes, Helene's of St. Michaels Salon & Spa, Lyon Rum // Windon Distilling, Old Town Candy Company, Ophiuroidea "The O", The Orthopedic Center at Easton, Patriot Cruises, Rebecca Thomas Events, Salty Tymes, Shore United Bank, Simpatico, Italy's Finest, St. Michaels Running Company, Theo's Steaks, Sides & Spirits, Tilghman Island Inn, Total Home Performance, Town & Country Wine, Liquor, Etc., and The Wildset Hotel.

 
Treats including popcorn, water, and snow cones will be available for cash sale at the concerts, with proceeds benefiting the people served by SMCC.
 
The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays along with youth, senior, and adult programs throughout the year.  
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and from throughout Maryland’s Bay Hundred area. More information is at www.stmichaelscc.org.

 
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2022 Concert Sponsors
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St. Michaels Community Center hires chef Sean Raspberry, rebrands Community Café

4/1/2022

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – April 1, 2022) Chef Sean Raspberry of Bel Air, Md. has joined the St. Michaels Community Center in a new role leading SMCC’s expanding culinary programs. Chef Raspberry comes to the St. Michaels Community Center as part of his return to the Eastern Shore, where many may remember him through his work at the Inn at Perry Cabin, Harrison’s Harbour Lights, Bistro St. Michaels, and Out of the Fire.
 
Raspberry is responsible for creating healthful, nutritious menus for SMCC’s Community Café, which serves eat-in and take-out meals during select hours each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He’ll also be working with local chefs and food distribution programs to coordinate food donations, including fresh produce and cooked dishes.  
“We are fortunate to have Sean back on the Shore and at the Community Center,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “His knowledge, relationships, and talents will help lead our future culinary programming while bringing more fresh, nutritious meals to our community and the people we serve.”
Rofe says SMCC has recently given its Café a fresh look with new branding and a new menu featuring fresh salads and entrees. The Community Cafe was previously run by St. Michaels resident Jeannie Butler, with her service spanning more than four years.
 
One of Raspberry’s early responsibilities includes receiving food donations from St. Vincent de Paul in Easton, Md. each Monday and Friday.
“It’s like Christmas morning every Monday and Friday, and I’m really enjoying planning the menus from the ingredients we receive,” says Raspberry. “This week we received shrimp and catfish, and I’m already making plans for dinner grits, made with celery, onion, and cheese.”
Raspberry says his love of cooking began more than 40 years ago when he was very young watching his mother and grandmother cook.
“I was seven or eight years old, and I had watched them enough to imitate what they were doing,” he says. “Soon, they felt comfortable leaving me in the kitchen to cook.”
He says he developed his specialties in cooking purple cabbage and making crab cakes early on.
“My family would eat steamed crabs on a Friday night, and they would leave all the claws,” said Raspberry. “Saturday morning, I would get up early and pick all of the claw meat and then make crab cakes for everyone.”
Raspberry’s crab cake recipe has since transformed through his experiences working in some of the area’s top restaurants over the last 20 years.
 
Raspberry says his transition from the restaurant world to the Community Center is an evolution in his career that lands in giving back in a high-profile environment.
“It’s more gratifying to cook for a not-paying customer and give back to people, Raspberry says. “Especially to those in need.”
Raspberry says he hopes to reinforce St. Michaels Community Center’s role serving at the heart of the community and looks forward to establishing a culinary workforce training program for Chesapeake College and other students.
“I’m looking forward to working with our youth not only as a teaching chef but as a mentor to help prepare them for life,” says Raspberry.
Raspberry will soon be relocating to the Eastern Shore from his current home in Harford County and says he enjoys music as much as he enjoys cooking.
Sean Raspberry 1 Picture
Sean Raspberry Picture 2
Community Cafe new logo
Sean Raspberry Picture 3
Sean Raspberry 4
Sean Raspberry Laughing
“Sean’s experience, knowledge, and skills as an Executive Chef make him an outstanding choice to lead our programs,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. “Our Advisory Board is dedicated to growing our culinary programs to include cooking classes and workforce training, for example, and Chef Sean is the right person to lead us into the future.
 
“My wife Karen and I enjoyed the Chef’s Southwestern Chicken Enchilada and salad last night for dinner,” said Shook. “The man can cook! And we’ll soon be back for more!”
Shook says SMCC is planning a major renovation of its Railroad Avenue building to transform the old lumber warehouse into a modern, efficient facility that includes space for culinary training and programming.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round programs and activities. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area. The Community Café menu and more information are at 
stmichaelscc.org. 
 
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An Invitation to Sponsor Summer Concerts

3/7/2022

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Dear Friend: 
 
Music and Fun in Muskrat Park! The St. Michaels Community Center is inviting you to become a sponsor of our summer concert series and help St. Michaels Community Center raise needed funds to serve people in our community.
 
St. Michael’s Community Center’s 12 summer concerts will kick off on Thursday, June 16 and continue every Thursday from 6:00pm – 7:30pm until September 1st.  
 
Our waterfront concert series in Muskrat Park features local artists from across the Eastern Shore and Bay Hundred Area and attract more than 2,400 concert-goers each year. When weather permits, these evenings are perfect opportunities for families and neighbors to enjoy picnic dinners and free music.
 
Summer in St. Michaels means music and family fun in Muskrat Park, but we can only cover the costs of the series through sponsor support!
 
Please see our sponsor benefit menu and choose a sponsor level that fits your budget. We’ll be sure to share our gratitude and more toward our sponsors while promoting the series.
 
If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected] or at 410-745-6073.
 
In Gratitude,
  
Patrick Rofe
Executive Director
 
 
P.S. Sponsors signing up by Friday, March 18 will be included in concert series news release, which will be sent to 50+ media sources for promotion.
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Mobile Treatment Unit comes to St. Michaels

2/15/2022

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Feb. 15, 2022) The St. Michaels Community Center is partnering with the Talbot County Health Department and Eastern Shore Mobile Care Collaborative (ESMCC) to provide St. Michaels and Bay Hundred residents access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder. The Mobile Treatment Unit will be at the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop parking lot on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
 
Talbot County Addictions Program Director Sarah Cloxton, MS, LCADC says persons wishing to receive treatment for opioid use disorder and entering the Mobile Treatment Unit program will meet with an addiction counselor, peer recovery specialist, and a University of Maryland physician specializing in addiction medicine. The program will support individuals throughout their treatment journey by combining access to medication, counseling, primary and supportive services that align with various stages of a person’s recovery once they are engaged.
“Having this access to opioid treatment will help individuals win more battles over addiction,” said Cloxton. “We’re glad to partner with the Community Center so that our outreach can extend to people living from Royal Oak all the way down to Tilghman Island.”
“We’re grateful to be able to help provide a space for the Mobile Treatment Unit,” says St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “This partnership helps forward our mission of serving, empowering, and connecting our community in meaningful ways."
The ESMCC aims to increase access to care by providing Medication Assisted Treatment for individuals with Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) in underserved, rural communities to maximize access to life-saving treatment and develop a model of care that can be adopted by other underserved, rural areas with similar needs. ESMCC is supported by funding from The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); University of Maryland School of Medicine, State of Maryland Department of Health and the Caroline County Health Department, with more at www.carolinehd.org.
 
The Talbot County Addictions Program (TCAP) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for its clients and community by reducing problems associated with addiction-related and co-occurring disorders. The program provides care coordination services and peer recovery support to adults and their families who are experiencing problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. TCAP provides screenings and referrals for addiction services, as well as assistance with the Medicaid and Health Choice insurance application process for those who qualify, with more at www.talbothealth.org/addictions-program/.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center promotes and provides quality activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised program opportunities for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to community residents of all ages, regardless of ethnicity, gender or economic status.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more information at www.stmichaelscc.org. 
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. Pictured in front of the Mobile Treatment Unit from left: TCAP State Care Coordinator Nianja Thomas, University of Maryland School of Medicine Dr. Eric Weintraub, MD, Mobile Treatment Unit Coordinator Carla Penny, AA, TCAP Peer Support Specialist James Carter, CPRS, Mobile Treatment Unit Counselor Kristina Pullen, BA, ADT, St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, Peer Support Specialist and Mobile Treatment Unit Vehicle Operations Roger McKnight, University of Maryland School of Medicine Dr. Patrick Jung, MD, Caroline County Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor Jessica Tuel, MSW, LCSW-C, Talbot County Addictions Program Director Sarah Cloxton, MS, LCADC, Talbot County Addictions Program Supervisor Reginald Johnson, MAC, CAC-AD, and SMCC Advisory Board Member and St. Michaels Police Chief Anthony Smith.
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St. Michaels Community Garden Sprouts for 10th Season

1/20/2022

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​ January 25, 2022 Update: All garden beds are now reserved. 

​(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Jan. 20, 2022) In 2022, the St. Michaels Community Garden celebrates its 10th year of providing community members with space to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruits, and more for personal consumption or for donation, as chosen by the gardeners themselves.
 
The garden includes 40, 4-foot by 14-foot beds rented on a yearly basis. The beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be reserved by emailing [email protected].
 
Through regularly scheduled work parties, the garden community shares responsibility for maintaining paths, communal spaces, and equipment, while individual members are responsible for planting, harvesting and upkeep of their raised beds. Water, hoses, and some gardening tools are provided, and some funds are available to help with the purchase of seeds or garden equipment for those who need support to do so.
 
The St. Michaels Community Garden, located between Fremont and Conner Streets, began in 2012 on land leased through the Town of St. Michaels and with support of an Eagle Scout project. The St. Michaels Community Center serves as fiscal agent for the community garden, with the $5 per year, per bed rental fee and other donations helping to maintain the property year-round.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center promotes and provides quality activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised program opportunities for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to community residents of all ages, regardless of ethnicity, gender or economic status.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at www.stmichaelscc.org.  
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St. Michaels Community Center receives No Kid Hungry grant

12/20/2021

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – December 20, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center recently received a No Kid Hungry grant in support of its ongoing food distribution program for children and families experiencing food insecurity in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred communities. Maryland’s Bay Hundred area is a rural and mostly agricultural area that extends from St. Michaels to Tilghman Island.
 
SMCC’s food distribution program includes a food bank and community food pantry; a weekend backpack program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants, and Children nutrition outreach and services; after school and childcare meals and snacks; summer program participant meals; and more.
 
No Kid Hungry is a national child hunger organization working to end childhood hunger. The national campaign is run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world, with more at www.nokidhungry.org. 
“The St. Michaels Community Center is the only nonprofit in the Bay Hundred area whose primary mission is to provide services to economically disadvantaged residents,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We also serve people in crisis and emergency situations, including those suffering from the effects of fire, flood, eviction, job loss, or other special circumstances.”
Rofe says 1 in 5 children nationwide are food insecure – that means hungry—with 43% of Talbot public school kids receiving free or reduced-price school meals.
“The $10K No Kid Hungry grant will be used to serve more than 1,000 of our local youth facing food insecurity,” says Rofe. “We still need to count on donor support each year to help meet our community’s needs, but this grant helps to offset the costs of making sure no one goes hungry throughout the entire year, and especially during the holidays.”
The Community Center also participates in the Talbot County Hunger Coalition to help eliminate food insecurity for low-income individuals and families in Talbot County.
 
The Center’s Community Café and pantry are open three days a week to provide meals and groceries for anyone in need, with limited local delivery provided by a group of dedicated volunteers. The St. Michaels Community Center also hosts food drives and holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, along with year-round engaging programs and activities for children and adults.
 
Tax-deductible donations to the St. Michaels Community Center are being 100% matched through December, and can be made online at www.stmichaelscc.org. Proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. also help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. ​
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A Message from Executive Director Patrick Rofe

12/7/2021

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December, 2021

Dear Friend,

It’s an honor to serve our community and I love what I do. With your support, I get to work with a great staff, board of advisors, and volunteers to make a difference in the lives of those in the Bay Hundred community.
 
Please consider donating to St. Michaels Community Center this holiday season. Your gift will go twice as far because it will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Board of Advisors.
 
Soon after I arrived at SMCC four months ago, I was inspired by Emily*. She is a member of our community who regularly visits the Center to participate in our programs.
 
Emily has strength and resilience that far exceeds her age.
 
Emily is a 4th grader at St. Michaels Elementary School who participates in our Afterschool Programs. She also brings home food and groceries from SMCC each week to feed her family of six. She lives with her diabetic mother, grandparents, younger sister, and older brother.
 
It would be easy for Emily and her family to lose hope during an increasingly difficult time. Life is hard, and sometimes comes with adversities like poverty, or a chronic illness.
 
Thankfully, Emily has the safety net she needs through the work of the St. Michaels Community Center. Work that is only made possible through the help of our donors.

Donors like you who help us deliver each week more than 200 bags of groceries and meals to our community, including Emily and her family.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center is more than a food pantry.
 
We’re a place where service in our community is seen and felt by Emily and many other neighbors and friends. We’re a place of empowerment for children like Emily to help smooth the edginess of life while providing nutritious meals so hunger is no longer a worry.
 
And most importantly, the St. Michaels Community Center is a place of connection—a place where Emily and others in our community find hope and are strengthened in character and self-worth through a sense of belonging to something bigger than an adverse home life.
 
One day as Emily was leaving, she said. “My grandmother loves everything that Ms. Jeannie cooks in the kitchen, and I really like those cookies she adds for dessert.”
 
It’s only because we have a dedicated staff and volunteers that we can achieve our mission. In fact, the cookies Emily mentioned are donated every week by the St. Michaels Rotary Club and a volunteer who loves to bake and give back to their community.
 
We’re lucky to be of service to Emily and her family, and all our friends and neighbors who participate in our programs and activities. We’re grateful that we can make a difference because of your support.  Your donations  help improve the lives of people in very meaningful ways—which is a great motivator each day.
 
It’s also the reason people like you continue to generously support our operations through charitable donations.

When you donate to the St. Michaels Community Center you are helping to improve lives and ensuring a bright and continuing future of the Community Center’s mission. We simply can’t do this work without your help.  

Please generously support our work and the future of our community by making a charitable donation to the St. Michaels Community Center. You can mail your check or donate online at paypal.me/smccmd. 

Your donation will ensure St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred communities we serve have the resources to provide hope and security, especially to those who need our help the most, like Emily.  

With deepest gratitude,​
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Patrick Rofe
Executive Director

P.S. Double your impact! For the rest of December, the SMCC Board of Advisors will match all donations dollar-for-dollar. Your employer might help too. Ask your employer if they will match your gift to SMCC! Thank you!

*Name has been changed to protect identity.
Click Here to Donate, with ALL Donations Matched Through Dec. 31!
Thank You on behalf of the individuals and families we serve! 
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Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® contributes to St. Michaels Community Center

12/3/2021

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(EASTON & ST. MICHAELS, MD – Dec. 3, 2021) Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® recently provided a $1K contribution to the St. Michaels Community Center to help address food security in our local communities.
 
The funds were raised through a crab feast raffle sponsored by Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS over the summer and will be used to help the St. Michaels Community Center provide pantry bags and meals to Bay Hundred families and individuals in need.
“The St. Michaels Community Center is fulfilling an important role in our community in making sure no one in the Bay Hundred area goes hungry,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “So this kind of support from the Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® and all our donors is critical in helping us to fulfill our mission of serving, empowering, and connecting our community.”
“Our REALTORS® and leadership are deeply invested in the communities we serve,” said Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® President Gwen Eskridge. “Contributing to organizations like the St. Michaels Community Center helps everyone by helping to make our communities more resilient.”   ​
The Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS®’ advocates for its members and the public to preserve the right to own, transfer and utilize real property while providing its members with resources in accordance with the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, with more at midshoreboardofrealtors.com.  
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more information at stmichaelscc.org.
St. Michaels Community Center
From left: Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® Community Service Member Gary Marquardt; MSBR Community Service Chair Diana Albers; St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe; and MSBR Community Service Member Leslie Stevenson. Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® recently provided a $1K contribution to the St. Michaels Community Center to help address food security among our local communities, with more www.midshoreboardofrealtors.com or at www.stmichaelscc.org.
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SMCC serves and delivers Thanksgiving dinners

11/26/2021

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Nov. 26, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center hosted its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wed., Nov. 25 at the parish hall of the Union United Methodist Church, where Community Center staff and volunteers packaged 173 meals along with numerous boxes of fresh produce and pantry items for delivery and pick up. The annual outreach event is part of fulfilling St. Michaels Community Center’s mission to serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area.
 
The meal’s roasted turkey was generously provided by Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, with Awful Arthur’s of St. Michaels providing all the sides. Pantry items and fresh produce were provided through individual donations and the Maryland Food Bank.
“We’re especially grateful for Ava’s and Awful Arthur’s for providing these meals,” said St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “And connecting our community to a hearty Thanksgiving meal, pantry items, and fresh produce is at the heart of the service work we provide, with special thanks to our donors and volunteers.” 
The St. Michaels Community Center is also hosting a Christmas toy and household item drive, with donated items dropped off no later than Dec. 20 at the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; or at the St. Michaels Community Center at 103 Railroad Ave. on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
Suggested donations include toys suited for children of all ages; personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, and shampoo; family homecare items like detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, and sponges; and food items like canned chicken, tuna, roast beef, ravioli, pasta, stew, peanut butter, rice, soup, crackers, pudding, and fruit cups.
 
Community Center staff and volunteers will also be preparing Christmas meals for those in need on Wed., Dec. 22. The pick-up and delivery meals are provided at no charge, with donations helping to offset costs. To reserve a meal or for more information, contact SMCC Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy Dewitt at [email protected] or 410-745-6073.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more information at stmichaelscc.org. ​
Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar in St. Michaels generously cooked and sliced turkeys, with Awful Arthur’s of St. Michaels donating all the stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy, dinner rolls, and apple and pumpkin pies.
From left: St. Michaels Community Center volunteers Ange Oteri, Karen Shook, Betsy Petty (partially hidden), and Marsha Kacher work together to package Thanksgiving meals for take-out, while volunteer Agnes Kedmenecz packages up utensils in the background. St. Michaels Community Center staff and volunteers packaged 173 meals along with numerous boxes of fresh produce and pantry items for delivery and pick up at its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wed., Nov. 25.
St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe helps to set out chafing dishes to keep Thanksgiving dinner warm at the nonprofit’s Nov. 25 Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The St. Michaels Community Center is also hosting a Christmas toy and household item drive, with donated items dropped off no later than Dec. 20 at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
St. Michaels Community Center volunteer Agnes Kedmenecz packages up boxes of Thanksgiving meals for delivery to residents in need throughout the Bay Hundred area. Kedmenecz regularly volunteers with SMCC throughout the year as part of its food distribution program.
SMCC Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy Dewitt takes fresh produce to the parish hall of Union United Methodist Church as part of the food distribution available at the Community Center’s Nov. 25 Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Pantry items and fresh produce were also provided through individual donations and the Maryland Food Bank, with the meal’s roasted turkey generously provided by Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, and Awful Arthur’s of St. Michaels providing all the sides.
Pantry bags ready to go at the St. Michaels Community Center on Railroad Avenue in St. Michaels, Md. The St. Michaels Community Center hosted its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wed., Nov. 25 at the parish hall of the Union United Methodist Church, where Community Center staff and volunteers packaged 173 meals along with numerous boxes of fresh produce and pantry items for delivery and pick up.
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Community Center Upgrades Kitchen with Maryland Community Development Block Grant

11/23/2021

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​(ST. MICHAELS, MD – November 23, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center recently made kitchen upgrades with funding through a Maryland Community Block Grant to help serve holiday meals and distribute more than 200 pantry bags and meals each week to individuals and families in need from throughout the Bay Hundred area.
 
The $150k grant received approval in July 2020 and is governed by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and regulated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funding is used for staff costs and the purchase of kitchen equipment, supplies, and food for food programs serving low to moderate income persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Center additionally purchased a commercial oven and made other upgrades in 2020.
“We are grateful for this generous support for our operations,” said St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “It speaks to the relevance and importance of our work in making sure no one in the Bay Hundred area goes hungry.”
The St. Michaels Community Center continues serving as the Bay Hundred area’s food hub as designated by the Talbot County Emergency Task Force and is a member of the Maryland Food Bank. The Community Center also participates in the Talbot County Hunger Coalition and the national No Kids Hungry program to help eliminate food insecurity for low-income individuals and families in Talbot County.
 
The Center’s Community Café and pantry are open three days a week to provide meals and groceries for anyone in need, with limited local delivery provided by a group of dedicated volunteers. The St. Michaels Community Center also hosts food drives and holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, along with year-round engaging programs and activities for children and adults.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center is currently seeking holiday donations of new toys, non-perishables, toiletries, and household goods, which can be dropped off or shipped directly to SMCC to arrive no later than Dec. 20 at 103 Railroad Ave., St. Michaels, Md., 21663.
 
Donations can be dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. Monday, and Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or at SMCC Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
Suggested donations include toys suited for children of all ages; personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, and shampoo; family homecare items like detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, and sponges; and food items like canned chicken, tuna, roast beef, ravioli, pasta, stew, peanut butter, rice, soup, crackers, pudding, and fruit cups.
 
SMCC staff and volunteers will also be preparing Christmas meals for pick-up and delivery to those in need. The meals are provided at no charge, with SMCC donors and in-kind donations helping to offset costs. To reserve a meal or for more information, contact Amy Dewitt at [email protected] or 410-745-6073.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more information at stmichaelscc.org.

​
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St. Michaels Community Center Volunteer Brian Griffiths stands with assembled shelving that is part of kitchen upgrades funded through a Maryland Community Block Grant. The Community Center additionally purchased a commercial oven and made other upgrades in 2020, with the funding used for staff costs and the purchase of kitchen equipment, supplies, and food for food programs serving individuals and families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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From left: St. Michaels Community Center Amy Dewitt, Volunteer Brian Griffiths, and Executive Director Patrick Rofe pause for a selfie after putting together shelving for the Center’s food distribution program. The kitchen upgrades are funded through a Maryland Community Block Grant to help the Community Center serve holiday meals and more than 200 pantry bags and meals each week to individuals and families in need from throughout the Bay Hundred area.
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Community Center seeks Christmas donations for local families

11/3/2021

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The St. Michaels Community Center is seeking donations of new toys, non-perishables, toiletries, and household goods, which can be dropped off or shipped directly to SMCC to arrive no later than Dec. 20 at 103 Railroad Ave., St. Michaels, Md., 21663.
 
Charitable donations can be dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. Monday, and Thursday through Saturday from 10am-2pm, or at SMCC Monday through Friday from 9am-3pm.
Suggested donations include toys suited for children of all ages; personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, and shampoo; family homecare items like detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, and sponges; and food items like canned chicken, tuna, roast beef, ravioli, pasta, stew, peanut butter, rice, soup, crackers, pudding, and fruit cups.
SMCC staff and volunteers will also be carrying on the tradition of St. Michaels Food Pantry by preparing Christmas meals for pick-up and delivery to those in need. The meals are provided at no charge, with SMCC donors and in-kind donations helping to offset costs through their support. Sign-up for your Christmas meal by emailing Amy Dewitt at [email protected] or calling (410) 745-6073.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center will host a community Christmas dinner on Wednesday, December 22 at the parish hall of Union United Methodist Church, when staff and volunteers will be preparing 150 meals, all offered at no charge, with donations accepted.

 
Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar in St. Michaels are donating the hams and turkeys for the dinner, with Awful Arthur's in St. Michaels donating the side dishes and desserts. More than 100 family baskets will also be distributed at the dinner, all supported by generous donations from local organizations and individuals.
 

SMCC also hosts community Thanksgiving and Easter dinners each year, as part of its mission to serve, empower, and connect the community.

SMCC also provides emergency clothing and household goods through its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10am-2pm. Donations to the Thrift Store of gently used clothing, toys, household goods, and furniture are gratefully accepted Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am-1:30pm.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that contribute to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org.
 
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The St. Michaels Community Center is seeking donations of new toys, non-perishables, toiletries, and household goods, which can be dropped off or shipped directly to SMCC. Suggested donations include toys suited for children of all ages, personal hygiene items, family homecare items, nonperishable food items, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org.
Donations of new toys, non-perishables, toiletries, and household goods for Christmas distribution to local families can be dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10am-2pm. Donations to the Thrift Store of gently used clothing, toys, household goods, and furniture are also gratefully accepted Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am-1:30pm. More is at www.stmichaelscc.org.
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Activities for Adults Set in St. Michaels

10/14/2021

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​(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Oct. 13, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center is providing lunch and a series of programs for adults each Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Walk-in participants are welcome, with a $2 suggested donation to contribute to the cost of the lunch and activities.
 
Adult participants are invited to come alone or bring a friend to enjoy a hot lunch and participate in programs that include bingo, arts, crafts, and brain games, with the schedule posted on the community center’s website.
“St. Michaels is such a vibrant place for locals and guests alike,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to resume many of our normal programs beyond the food distribution services we provide.”
PictureFrom left: St. Michaels Community Center’s Jeannie Butler with SMCC volunteer Johanna Saucier help serve a nutritious lunch as part of SMCC’s outreach.
The St. Michaels Community Center recently resumed its children and adult programs after the COVID-19 pandemic surge. The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays and Fridays as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub.
 
The nonprofit St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org. ​

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SMCC Seeks an Assistant Retail Manager

10/8/2021

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​Job Posting
(You can also download this information as a .pdf here)

 
SMCC is looking for a responsible Assistant Retail Manager to help organize and run our Treasure Cove Thrift Shop and fill in for the Retail Manager when needed.
 
Assistant Retail Manager responsibilities included training volunteers, receiving, and processing donations. You will also ensure our thrift shop meets and exceeds our customers’ expectations.
 
Our ideal candidate will have retail manager skills with a sharp business mindset. You should also be skilling at organizing and solving problems. Interpersonal skills will also be very useful, since you’ll often be interacting with customers and volunteers.
 
Ultimately, the duties of the Assistant Retail Manager are to make sure the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop operates effectively, and we keep our volunteers and customers happy.
 
If interested, please contact Patrick Rofe, executive director, at 410-745-6073 or [email protected] by October 31, 2021.

Position: Assistant Retail Manager

Reports To: The Assistant Retail Manager will report the Retail Manager.

Position Overview: The Assistant Retail Manager will support the Retail Manager in daily business operations. The Assistant Retail Manager’s responsibilities include training and managing volunteers, managing inventory, ensuring a safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing store environment, and assisting customers. The Assistant Retail Manager should also address and resolve customer complaints and any issues with volunteers.
 
The Assistant Retail Manager should have strong leadership and decision-making, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
 
Assistant Retail Manager Responsibilities:


  • Complete store opening and closing procedures multiple times per week
  • Keep the store organized, clean, and attractive to customers
  • Oversee the store volunteers which includes delegating tasks, solving problems, and designing work schedules
  • Assist the Retail Manager in planning and implementing strategies to attract customers
  • Maintain knowledge of all products available in the store and know the store layout and anticipate customer demand
  • Manage inventory by processing donations and maintaining order in the donation receiving area. Coordinate with volunteers to price items and then place merchandise and on sales floor
  • Greet incoming customers, answer phone calls, and address customer complaints
  • Complete sales and collect payments
  • Ensure company policies and nonprofit best practices are followed
  • Maintain efficient operations by controlling costs
  • Maintain merchandising of product and a visual plan
  • Maintain appearance of store which includes stocking and cleaning
  • Support Retail Manager as needed
  • Maintain online retail store which includes monitoring bids, taking photographs of items, creating item descriptions, and marketing through social media and email
  • Evaluates competition by visiting other local thrift stores; gathering information on prices, displays, merchandising, and display
  • Prepares sales reports by collecting, analyzing, categorizing, and summarizing sales information
 
Assistant Retail Manager Skills and Qualifications:


  • High school diploma or GED
  • Past in retail or management
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Good math skills with the ability to create and analyze reports, spreadsheets, and sales statistics
  • Proficient in MS Office (MS Excel in particular)
  • Leadership and interpersonal skills
  • Flexibility in work schedule
 
 



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St. Michaels Community Center takes in Christ Church St. Michaels’ food pantry program

9/14/2021

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Sept. 14, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center is helping to centralize food distribution for Bay Hundred residents by consolidating the operations of the St. Michaels Food Pantry with the community center’s food distribution program. 
“The St. Michaels Food Pantry and its volunteers and donors have helped to provide meat and nutritious, non-perishable foods for Bay Hundred families in need for more than 60 years,” says Food Pantry Board member Mary Ellen Olcese. “We’re fortunate to have helped the community for so long, and now is a great time to transition the program, because the St. Michaels Community Center is doing a great job as the area’s lead for food distribution.”  ​
“The Food Pantry began in 1961 and was located in the parish hall of Christ Church. We were able to provide twice-weekly food distribution and special holiday baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter,” says Alice Petizon​ of the Food Pantry Board. “And we will continue to support food distribution in the community in the future.”
“We’re grateful for this opportunity to combine our programs while helping our neighbors who are facing food insecurities,” said St. Michaels Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We’ll continue to provide take-out meals and grocery pick-up for those in need at the community center on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.—including Jeannie’s Community Café for onsite dining—and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.”
PictureSt. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, front, with St. Michaels Food Pantry Board members from left, Alice Petizon, Jeff Hart, Mary Ellen Olcese, Susan Armstrong, Judy Tanczos, and Kim Kerrigan at Limoncello Restaurant
Individuals can support St. Michaels Community Center’s operations by making a tax-deductible donation at paypal.me/smccmd, or drop off non-perishables at the St. Michaels Community Center, located at 103 Railroad Ave., in the historic district of St. Michaels. An outdoor pantry is additionally set up at the community center for anyone in need or wanting to make a donation of non-perishable food items. 

The St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.
​
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org. More about Christ Church is at christstmichaels.org.  
 ​

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Community Center’s after-school programs begin Sept. 13, 2021

9/8/2021

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The St. Michaels Community Center is hosting after-school programs for pre-kindergarteners through sixth graders on Mondays through Thursdays beginning Sept. 13 and continuing through Dec. 2. The age-appropriate programs are $50 per student, per session, with donor-funded scholarships available.
 
All programs begin at 2:35 p.m. and continue through 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Transportation is provided from St. Michaels Elementary School for programs at the St. Michaels Community Center, with a snack provided during class.
 
Members of the St. Michaels Art League are partnering with the St. Michaels Community Center this year to help lead the Creative Crafts & Arts program, to be held on Mondays for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Other weekly sessions include Building your Mind with Legos, and dance programs for pre-kindergarteners through second graders, and for third through sixth graders. Each program has limited participation and pre-registration needed, with the program booklet and registration form available at bitly.com/afterschoolstmichaels. 
 
The St. Michaels Community Center recently resumed its children and adult programs after the COVID-19 pandemic surge. The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays and Fridays as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub.
 
A special class to teach the game of chess to second through fifth graders has been added for Thursdays from 2:35 to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Michaels Community Center from Sept. 16 through Dec. 2. The cost is $10 per student, with donor-supported scholarships available.
 
The St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at 
stmichaelscc.org. 
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Community Block Party in St. Michaels is September 18

9/1/2021

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – Sept. 1, 2021) The St. Michaels Community Center is hosting a Community Block Party on Sat., Sept. 18 to celebrate the arrival of fall and for the public to have an opportunity to meet new Executive Director Patrick Rofe. The party includes dancing and music with a DJ, along with family activities, food, and drinks.
 
The free event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the St. Michaels Community Center, located at the intersection of Railroad Ave. and Fremont St. in historic St. Michaels. Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, drinks and sides are on the menu, along with a full day of family activities, including jump rope, yard games, and more.
“Our location is a great place for everyone in St. Michaels to come together as a community,” said Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting more of our neighbors at the block party, and especially being a part of enjoying a meal together during a fun, relaxing afternoon in St. Michaels.”
The Community Center pivoted from its normal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide tens of thousands of bags of groceries and takeout and delivery meals to those in need as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub. The return of normal programs began over the summer, with adult programs and children’s after-school programs starting this fall.  
 
The St. Michaels Community Center provides quality activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.
 
Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org. 
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Businesses, Community Give Back to the St. Michaels Community Center

8/9/2021

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(ST. MICHAELS, MD – August 9, 2021) St. Michaels and Bay Hundred businesses and residents are embracing the St. Michaels Community Center’s mission of serving, empowering, and connecting the community with a spike in recent support to help provide food to those in need.

SMCC’s Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy DeWitt says the Community Center recently distributed new ​backpacks filled with school supplies to 50 local children in need. Tracey and Mark Miller of Reclaimed and Iron Will & Woodworks of St. Michaels led the charge in raising the funds for the school supplies, with their efforts matched by another generous, anonymous donor​. ​
“It’s a wonderful experience to work for a nonprofit that has so much support,” says DeWitt. “This support makes our entire community stronger by helping provide lifelines like this to people in need.”
DeWitt says she was also recently surprised to learn another ​anonymous donor contributed $3,500 to the St. Michaels Community Center’s credit with Graul’s Market in St. Michaels while picking up ice for a recent fundraiser. The generous donation will be used to help provide the tens of thousands of bags of groceries and take-out meals SMCC continues to provide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are extremely grateful for the help of this anonymous donor,” says DeWitt. “Graul’s Market is also a big supporter of our work and mission,” says DeWitt. “Graul’s supports our annual neighborhood block parties and holiday meals. This donation will really go a long way in addressing food insecurities in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred areas.”
DeWitt says Mike Lynch of Christ Church St. Michaels and members of the Claiborne Community Group and the Rotary Club of St Michaels have been making brownies and other treats for grocery and meal recipients. Lisa Foss and Bengt Goransson of Royal Oak, Md. have provided homemade, decorated cookies since the pandemic’s beginnings. The baked goods are provided as extra treats to go with each meal and a reminder to the recipients that their lives matter.

The St. Michaels Community Center is part of a community of food support organizations operating under the Talbot County Emergency Services Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
​
SMCC’s 2021 Summer Concert Series is continuing through Sept. 9 at Muskrat Park each Thursday beginning at 6:00 p.m., with treats for sale and the music line-up at bitly.com/stmichaelsconcerts. The concert series is made possible through the generous sponsor support of Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Carpenter Street Saloon, Chesapeake Trading Co., The Crab Claw Restaurant, Foxy's Harbor Grille, Graul's Market, Guilford and Company, Hammy's Hideout, Higgins and Spencer, Inc., The Lumberyard Inc., Lyon Rum, The Preppy Redneck, Shore United Bank, St Michaels Inn, and Theo's Steaks, Sides & Spirits.
​
SMCC’s Advisory Board recently announced Patrick Rofe will began as the nonprofit’s fourth Executive Director in mid-August. Rofe and his wife Simone are returning to the Eastern Shore from Olympia, Wash. SMCC’s Executive Director Emerita Trish Payne announced her retirement in late 2020, with Amy DeWitt appointed Interim Executive Director this summer.
“Rofe’s leadership comes at a critical time in the history of SMCC,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. “We’re planning a major renovation of our building on Railroad Avenue, with our dream to transform our old lumber warehouse into a modern, efficient facility to better serve our community and to become a landmark that better harmonizes with the neighborhood and the historic Union United Methodist Church across the street.”
The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with program and building improvement plans dependent on grants and private donations. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org. ​
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