“We are grateful for the work we do in partnership with the St. Michaels Police Department,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “Together we keep the pulse of the community so that we can help people find the resources they need and to strengthen our community as a whole.”

“National Night Out hits at the core of our community policing approach,” said St. Michaels Police Chief Anthony Smith, who also serves on SMCC’s Advisory Board. “Partnering with the Community Center in this way helps bring people together, and the opportunity to meet the police officers who serve to protect our community.”

SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe, left, with Responsible Fathers Initiative Lead Facilitator Corey W. Pack

“This program will help strengthen our local families and our entire community by helping our fathers be the best dads they can be,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “This also serves at the core of the Community Center’s mission in serving, empowering, and connecting people in our community.”

“Now more than ever the America family needs to be pulled back together and that cohesive and binding force is found in no other place but the commitments of a nurturing and responsible father,” said Responsible Fathers Initiative Lead Facilitator Corey W. Pack. “I am excited to work with SMCC in their efforts to strengthen families in the Bay Hundred area.

“While no one program can solve all the shortfalls a family may be facing, combining the stabilizing and regenerating curriculum of NFI with the economic and social programs offered by SMCC, these families are off to a promising start to being restored and complete.”

“NFI is excited about the St. Michaels Community Center’s efforts to help fathers build their skills through the 24/7 Dad® program,” said President of National Fatherhood Initiative President Christopher Brown. “Research shows that a major barrier to father involvement is a lack of skills in dads, many of whom grew up without fathers in their lives. At a time when 1 in 4 children live in father-absent homes, the Community Center should be applauded for its efforts to help dads get involved.”

​“This feedback can go a long way in helping the St. Michaels Community Center expand our programs in the direction that best serves our community’s needs,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. 

The St. Michaels Community Center is surveying the local community through July to help shape its future programs and services, with St. Michaels and Bay Hundred area residents encouraged to take the online survey at www.stmichaelscc.org. The nonprofit recently announced its first-ever capital campaign supporting the adaptive redesign of its building, shown here, with architectural renderings and more at www.stmichaelscc.org/future

The St. Michaels Community Center is kicking off its waterfront Summer Concert Series on June 16 with JCT 33 performing at Muskrat Park in St. Michaels. The free concerts continue each Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 1, with plenty of shade, treats for sale, and all performances listed at www.stmichaelscc.org.

“The St. Michaels business community has really embraced our concert series with support this year,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “The support goes beyond the cost of the performances and is essential in keeping our daily operations going for the people we serve.” 

SMCC’s Amy DeWitt, left, and Stephanie Pritchard, stop at Justine’s Ice Cream for a treat.

The St. Michaels Community Center is kicking off its waterfront Summer Concert Series on June 16 with JCT 33 performing at Muskrat Park in St. Michaels. The free concerts continue each Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 1, with plenty of shade, treats for sale, and all performances listed at www.stmichaelscc.org.

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 at www.stmichaelscc.org.

​“What am I supposed to do!” gasped the client when her meal was delivered. “How am I supposed to make it through the weekend with just one meal!”
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​“I didn’t even know people around here didn’t have enough food. I’ve never been that hungry. I guess I think there will always be food in the fridge.”
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From left: Simpatico-Italy’s Finest Owner Bobbi Parlett, with her dog Bella Luce, St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, and SMCC Executive Chef Sean Raspberry stand in front of Simpatico’s Italy’s Finest in St. Michaels with baskets of pasta donated to SMCC food distribution program and Community Café. Simpatico is continuing its “Buy One Give One” promotion on the purchase of Ritrovo pasta to benefit the people served by SMCC, with more at www.simpaticostmichaels.com.

“This is an incredible program that is helping to fill our pantry shelves,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “SMCC provides as many as 250 pantry bags and 300 hot meals to our community every week, meaning this kind of community and business support can make a transformative difference in a person’s life.”

“We love supporting the St. Michaels Community Center,” said Simpatico-Italy’s Finest owner Bobbi Parlett. “With our shop being across the street from the Center, we see the important work that is being accomplished every day, and we’re glad to help.”

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation recently provided $20k and an additional $15k in funding to the St. Michaels Community Center in support of its food distribution program and capital campaign to rebuild the Center. Pictured in the SMCC food pantry are from left, SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe, SMCC Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy DeWitt, SMCC Volunteer Brian Griffiths, and Mid-Shore Community Foundation President Buck Duncan. The funds are being matched by other donors, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org.

“Every week, SMCC provides as many as 250 pantry bags and 300 hot meals to our community,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, the need in our community has remained high and this grant will help SMCC strengthen and expand the program to satisfy this need.”

“This is a great example of how our foundation connects private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life for people of the Mid-Shore,” said Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Chief Program Officer Robbin Hill. “Supporting the food support programs and future building improvements of the St. Michaels Community Center is an investment in helping to ensure no one goes hungry in our communities.”

U.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.

​“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.”

​“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.” 

From 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.

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.

“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.”

“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. 

“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.”

“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.”

“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 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.” 

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.

(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’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!”

“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."

. 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.

“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.”

“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.”