On Saturday, June 7th, Saint Martin’s Ministries (SMM) hosted their first annual 5K and Family Fun Run to Chase Off Poverty. Over eighty runners participated and the money raised will help Saint Martin’s provide food, clothing and housing to local families when they can’t make ends meet.
Amy Amalfitano came in first place in the women’s division with a time of 20:10. First place in the men’s division was Trey Hill with with a time of 20:44. And the top youth finisher was Mason Ratecliff with a time of 30:17.
Saint Martin’s is grateful for the generosity of all of the businesses that sponsored this event including: Callahan’s Appliances, Fred Frederick, Tri Gas & Oil, Choptank Transport, Doug’s Tire, Nagel Farm Service, Towers Concrete Products, TriCycle and Run, Chesapeake Landing Restaurant, Foster’s Mini Mart, Freestate & Son Insurance, Impressive Printing, Lewis Auto Body, and St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth Catholic Community. Food and water for the runners was provided by Food Lion in Denton, TriMe Grocery Store in Ridgely, Kent Island Depot in Stevensville and the staff and volunteers of Saint Martin’s Ministries.
Dobson’s Dogs was on site to offer breakfast sandwiches, drinks and hot dogs. Michelle Meadows, author of children’s books such as “Piggies in Pajamas”, had a table set up, and read to the children. The event also offered face painting, and highlighted local agencies such Mid Shore Reading Council’s “Read for Shore” Program, the Pajama Program, a model train display, and the Eastern Shore Oral Health and Education Outreach Program. Saint Martin’s Barn was open for its regular Saturday Sale with great bargains on clothes, books, household items and furniture.
Caroline County ranks 7th in the state for overall poverty and on average more than 30% of the children living in Caroline County live below the poverty level. Seven of the nine counties in Maryland with the highest poverty rates are on the Eastern Shore. For over 30 years SMM has helped low income families on the Eastern Shore meet their basic needs of food, clothing and housing. Services offered by Saint Martin’s Ministries include an emergency food program, eviction assistance, a thrift store and a 2 year transitional housing program for women and their children.
To help Saint Martin’s in their efforts to end poverty on the Eastern Shore or for more information about Saint Martin’s Ministries please visit our website at www. stmartinsministries.org or contact Deborah Hudson Vornbrock at 410.634.2537 ext. 102.
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