News

Dear grantees and community partners,

This morning, Governor Moore held a press conference in which he declared a state of emergency to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown. As part of the state’s response to a lapse in SNAP benefits funding at the federal level, the Governor is releasing $10 million in emergency funding to food banks to provide additional support for families.
This press release provides additional details on the status of SNAP benefits and the alternative assistance available. Funding will be used to purchase and distribute additional food for food banks, local pantries, school pantries, and mobile distribution programs, including delivery of meals to older adults or Marylanders with disabilities who cannot easily access pantries.
Marylanders in need of food assistance should visit the 211 Maryland website to locate the nearest food pantry or food bank.
If you receive HUD Continuum of Care Program funding or have an award from DHCD under the Homelessness Solutions Program or Community Services Block Grant program, please note that food for clients is an eligible program cost. Grantees are encouraged to request a budget modification if necessary to provide additional support to program participants
Also attached is a fact sheet for resources for federal workers who have been impacted by furloughs – including legal protections against evictions, foreclosure, and utility shutoffs.
We will continue to keep partners updated as the situation evolves. Thank you for your partnership and service.

Danielle Meister
she/her
Assistant Secretary
Division of Homeless Solutions
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
2 N. Charles Street, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
danielle.meister@maryland.gov
(443) 651-0241

See also HARC Food and Clothing Resources Page

Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, Maryland seeks to put God’s love into action by helping families find decent and affordable housing.

Click here for a church information flyer that shares Habitat’s mission, how to connect to Habitat, as well as the pathway to home ownership. Feel free to use this flyer within your ministry. We also have several hundred of these flyers pre-printed if you would like to request them.

If you have any other questions about the ministry of Habitat for Humanity, please ask.

Together #ForOurCity,
Pastor Bill Wyand

This year, we’ve learned that a number of families whose children are enrolled in Micah’s Backpack do not have microwave ovens to heat up even basic food. Neither schools nor partner churches are able to purchase them. If you have a gently used microwave oven you can donate or are willing to purchase one (or more), please contact Kathy at HARC, 301-842-4272 or director@harc.datachievereview.xyz

Shepherd’s Spring Camp & Retreat Center is still seeking a full-time, year round chef/cook to join their team as the Food Director. Cook for large groups (40-120) and summer camp, buffet style. Weekends and evenings required; hours fluctuate based on scheduled retreats and school groups. Must pass a background check. If interested, please send your resume to info@shepherdsspring.org.

Iglesia (Church) de Dios Pentecostal in Hagerstown, MD is seeking a new place to worship. They need space to meet on Wednesday nights from 6-9:30 pm, Fridays 6-10 pm , Sundays 10 am-6 pm, and some Saturdays. The church has approximately 75 active members, and up to 125 people worshipping in total. If you may have space to accommodate them, please contact Pastor Carlos Gonzalez, Iglesiadehagerstown@gmail.com.

Click on image at left to open a larger image.

Call to make an offer: 301-791-6682 and ask for Gabe

Children & Youth Coordinator
Mt. Nebo Church & Christian Learning Center
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Location: Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church | 12–15 hrs/week | 3 days/week (including Sundays)

Do you love working with children and youth?
Join others in guiding the next generation in faith through fun, creativity, and connection with God!

What You’ll Do:

• Teach and mentor kids from Pre-K to High School
• Lead Sunday children’s ministry & youth programs
• Create lesson plans and organize engaging activities
• Plan events and Vacation Bible School
• Work closely with the Pastor & Learning Center Director

Requirements: ✔ Passion for youth ministry ✔ Creativity and strong leadership ✔ Background check & fingerprinting (paid by employer) ✔ Complete Safe Gatherings training ✔ Experience in a church setting is a plus
Schedule Includes: · 2 flexible weekdays · Sundays (required) · Some telework allowed for lesson prep Ready to Apply?
Email your resume & short cover letter to: debbie.lee@myactv.net OR mt.nebo@myactv.net Questions? Call: 301-432-8741
Learn more: http://mtneboumc.com

Download a flyer here

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Rick Swanson to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hagerstown and to HARC. Father Rick was called to St. John’s in September, moving to Hagerstown from Stowe, Vermont. There will be a Celebration of New Ministry at St. John’s on Thursday, October 30, at 7:00pm. Area faith leaders are invited to attend to join in the celebration and welcome our new brother in faith.

Download a flyer invitation.  Note: an RSVP is only needed for those attending the preservice meal.

Read Fr. Rick’s profile

Charles Town, WV, September 25, 2025 /PR Newswire/ – The BCTCares Foundation, a nonprofit founded and operated by employees of BCT-Bank of Charles Town (OTCID:PTBS), also known as The Community’s Bank, announced Wednesday, September 24, 2025, that it surpassed its lofty goal of $100,000 by raising a record $104,000 through its 2025 Pack the ‘Pack program. Since its inception, the BCTCares Foundation has donated $509,000 to fight local food-insecurity, especially in children.

The program’s mission is to support four in-market backpack food nonprofits focused on providing nourishing food to food-insecure children, individuals, and families.  The donation equaled $26,000 for each of the partner nonprofits and will provide crucial funding in times of rising food costs  for food purchases, resulting in over 11,000 backpacks being filled with enough food for two days (weekend) per child.  The fundraising effort was from July 1, 2025, through August 31, 2025.  Contributions were solicited and received from the bank’s clients, vendors, employees, and Board of Directors, along with citizens from the communities surrounding BCT’s branches and offices in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

BCTCares Foundation raises a total of $104,000 to support four local backback program nonprofits to fight food-insecurity for local children. Each program received $26,000.

“Wow!  Just wow!” exclaimed Alice P. Frazier, President and CEO of BCT.  “How do I adequately convey how proud I am in the efforts by everyone involved with this year’s campaign?  We set a goal that, candidly, I was skeptical we could reach.  Our team took the challenge and not only met the goal but exceeded it!  And our employees, clients, vendors, and communities were fully engaged throughout the campaign.  Thanks to everyone who contributed financially or with your time and talent.  You have helped more and more children in our local neighborhoods overcome food-insecurity.”
For the Pack the ‘Pack campaign, BCTCares partners with local backpack program nonprofits who purchase and distribute food using the funds donated.  The local backpack program partners are:

• Berkeley County Backpack Program  (Berkeley County, WV) – http://feedbcwvkids.org/
• Community Combined Ministries – Kidz Power Pacs  (Berkeley & Jefferson Counties, WV) – https://communitycombined.org/
• HARC/Micah’s Backpack  (Washington County, MD) – https://harc.datachievereview.xyz/programs/micahs-backpack/ 
• Fueled (formerly known as Loudoun Backpack Coalition)  (Loudoun  County, VA) – https://www.loudouneducationfoundation.org/fueled 

HARC’s Lighthouse After-School Program has kicked off the 2025-26 school year with eight after-school “clubs” in 6 schools, filling 21 time slots.  These programs will serve more than 300 children this marking period with educational, life skills and skills, and enrichment opportunities in partnership with Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) this marking period.

Clubs include Games, Astronomy, MC/Songwriting, Rope Warriors (jump rope), Gardening, Knitting, Livin’ It Up (social and emotional skills), and Chorus/Musical Theater.  Cooking, Art, and World Changers Club (interfaith) will begin the next marking period.  Programs take place in the school setting supported by a WCPS classroom aide. The schools also provide snacks and dinner for all the participants of the after-school program.  Our dedicated HARC Program Leads develop the curriculum and guide the activities, creating an environment where learning is both engaging and fun. They serve as positive role models and are a wonderful connection between the schools and the wider community. We are truly grateful for their commitment and caring.

With several schools having waiting lists and/or overfilled clubs, and the increasing number of participating schools, has expanded this year, so the need for more programs is greater than ever. If you have an idea for a club and willingness to lead it, we want to hear from you!  Program Leads are offered payment for their time, can choose the day(s), and only have to commit to one marking period at a time (about 6-8 weeks). We also need volunteers to help regularly in the classroom for a few of the clubs (Games and Rope Warriors especially). If interested, please contact Angela Yamashita, Program Coordinator, at yamashitaangela6@gmail.com or 801-520-4918.  We are thankful for Angela’s leadership of this program!

This program is only possible because of the incredible vision and support of our community partners. We are thankful to the houses of worship who have invested their time, energy and hearts to start and sustain it: Zion Reformed UCC, John Wesley United Methodist Church, Otterbein United Methodist Church, Christ’s Reformed UCC, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our gratitude also goes to Kim Duncan, Community School Specialist Coordinator with WCPS, for encouraging us to partner with the schools (and to think bigger and bigger), and for walking alongside us in the process. Former Mayor Tekesha Martinez was an inspiration for this program, so we thank her for reminding us that houses of worship need to be a “lighthouse” for children, guiding the way, and lighting the community.

God has blessed this work tremendously, and with God’s favor, we will to continue to work to grow this program as a beacon of light for as many children as need it.