Talbot County Empty Bowls is a local grassroots organization that, over 12 years, has distributed more than $230,000 to local organizations that feed the hungry.

“In January our committee volunteers are usually selling tickets for the annual community dinner,” says Anna Harding, founder and co-chair for Talbot County Empty Bowls. “The dinner, which is usually held annually in February, has been a mainstay of our fundraising efforts.”

Other activities related to the fundraising have included bowl painting at Kiln Born Creations, where community members added their creative flair to bowls that were donated for the community dinner. The committee also relied on a collection of donors and sponsors who have contributed funds every year.

After the February 2020 dinner, the Talbot County Empty Bowls committee decided that they would take a break from hosting the annual dinner. The group continued its commitment to eliminating food insecurity and to raising awareness about hunger in Talbot County.

“The Mid-Shore Community Foundation maintains the Talbot County Empty Bowls fund that we established with them in 2009,” says Harding. “Even after we announced that we would no longer host an annual dinner, many of our supporters made donations to our MSCF account so that we can carry on the tradition of making donations to local food pantries in the spring.”

Susan duPont, co-chair of the Talbot County Empty Bowls committee, says, “Not long after our 2020 dinner COVID-19 hit our community. Now, more than ever, our local food pantries need our support.”

Instead of purchasing an actual ticket to the soup dinner, the Talbot County Empty Bowls committee is asking friends of the cause to buy a virtual ticket. “Your $20 donation will boost the Talbot County Empty Bowls fund and ensure that we have money to pass on to the non-profit organizations that feed the hungry all year long,” duPont explains. “We welcome donations from past dinner guests and any of our neighbors who want to join us in helping our local food pantries in their essential work.

“The successes of Talbot County Empty Bowls have depended on the generosity of so many people in our community,” duPont says. “Even though we won’t be enjoying a meal together this year, we hope that you will serve yourself a bowl of soup on Sunday, February 28. Use one of the bowls you acquired from an Empty Bowls dinner if you attended one with us. Together we will savor the food and the progress we have made to eliminate hungry in Talbot County.”

To purchase a $20 virtual ticket and to make donations of any size, visit mscf.org/donate; designate Talbot Empty Bowls as the fund name. You can also donate by mailing a check payable to Talbot Empty Bowls to Mid Shore Community Foundation, 102 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601.

Dock Street Foundation and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation will kick off Hopeful 2020 at 6:00 pm on July 10^th at the new Washington Street Promenade near the Talbot County Court House in Easton.

Hopeful 2020 engages citizens to express their feelings of hope for the future by contributing funds to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Response Fund in support of nonprofit organizations that provide food, shelter and health services to Talbot County’s underserved residents.

The project launch will take place at the southeastern corner of Washington St. and Dover Rd., where two of the four Hopeful art sculptures will be unveiled.  Created by Maine artist, Charlie Hewitt, the artwork sends an inspiring message. His mixed-media work incorporates marquee style lighting into a retro-inspired sign illuminated in colorful hues.

The Talbot Arts Council is also participating by encouraging arts groups to consider new projects in music, fine arts, craft, poetry and writing related to the theme of “hope.” In the words of the artist: “I would like people to be grateful for their country, their families and their community. To appreciate the quality of life we share and to remember that being Hopeful is a challenge that requires action and commitment.”

Those interested in taking an action step can do so by donating to Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Response Fund at: www.dockstreetfoundation.org.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation welcomes Heather Bacher, Kevin Cashen, George Fox and Andrew Meehan as new members to its Board of Directors. 

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome these new members,” said Buck Duncan, Foundation President.  “We also thank the four members that are completing their terms – Stuart Bounds, Bill Brooks, Heather Guerieri and Kirk Helfenbein. We are very fortunate to have such talented and supportive volunteers.”  

Ms. Bacher is a Market Manager for Shore United Bank’s Queen Anne’s and Kent County Branches. She is a graduate of Salisbury University and has twenty years of retail and commercial banking experience. Heather is President of Chesapeake Women’s Network, Board Member of Economic Development for Queen Anne’s County, Member of Rotary of Kent Island and a Committee Member for the Bosom Buddies Ball.  Heather resides in Stevensville with her son Ryan.

Mr. Cashen is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Queenstown Bank of Maryland and has over 30 years of banking experience. He holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from John Hopkins University, Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance from Mount St. Mary’s University.  Kevin resides in Queenstown with his wife Margaret.

Mr. Fox is the Principal/Owner of George J. Fox Consulting.  He earned his B.S. in civil engineering from Villanova University and his M.B.A in management from Wayne State University. George lends his time and expertise to numerous organizations, including Habitat for Humanity Choptank, St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners, Dorchester Arts Center, Dorchester General Community Hospital Association and the Rotary Club of Cambridge. George resides in Cambridge with his wife Julie.

Mr. Meehan is a trial lawyer with MacLeod Law Group in Chestertown and has practiced law for more than 30 years in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a graduate of Washington & Lee University School of Law. Andy is the primary champion of the Chestertown Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes program, is on the leadership team of the Kent Goes Purple initiative and was a recent recipient of the Town Watch Society Award. Andy resides in Kent County with his family.

Officers and Directors for Fiscal Year 2021 are Moorhead Vermilye (Chairman), Alice Ryan (Vice Chair), David Nagel (Treasurer), Brett Summers (Secretary), Ed Allen, Jean Anthony, Joe Anthony, Heather Bacher, Kevin Cashen, Susan Chaffinch, Bill Christopher, David DeLuca, Kathy Deoudes, George Fox, Clem Hathaway, Joe Holt, Ken Kozel, Charles Lerner, John Lewis, Becky Loukides, Sandy McAllister, Andrew Meehan, Fil Morrison, Peggy Rennels, Jenny Rhodes, Rick Scobey, Tracy Tyler and Arraminta Ware.

Established in 1992, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties.  Since its founding, the Foundation has received over $86.9 million in contributions and has awarded more than $39.8 million in grants and scholarships.  For additional information about the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, visit: https://www.mscf.org.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2021 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities.  Applications are online at http://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission of FY2021 grant applications is July 1, 2020.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October 2020.  The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Buck Duncan or Robbin Hill at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175  or  info@mscf.org.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mid-Shore Community Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Foundation made a leadership gift of $100,000. Avon-Dixon Insurance Agency, Choptank Transport, Preston Automotive Group and Shore Bancshares quickly joined the response effort with generous donations.

Businesses, individuals and fund advisors are encouraged to join the initiative by making a charitable contribution. The Foundation is waiving all administrative fees; one hundred percent of all donations will be used for this effort. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and qualify for maximum tax advantages.

Immediate grant funding is available for nonprofit organizations serving community members who have been impacted by the Coronavirus and the economic consequences of the pandemic in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties. In order to move resources quickly, qualifying entities must be previous grantees of the Foundation.

Qualifying nonprofits are eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000. The grant awards will be administered through a simplified online grant application. Information about grant funding is available on the Foundation’s website at MSCF.org/covid19.

Donations can be made online at MSCF.org/donate-online or checks can be mailed to Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601. Please indicate that your gift should be directed to the COVID-19 Response Fund.

For additional information, contact Buck Duncan, President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, wduncan@mscf.org or (410) 820-8175, Ext. 100.

COVID 19 Response Fund FAQ

Why is MSCF starting this fund?

We have a long history of working efficiently and effectively to direct the philanthropy of our donors to impactful community-based organizations working to strengthen our region. We are committed to ensuring that our donors, grantees and partners can work together to care for our most vulnerable neighbors.

How can my organization apply for funds?

Eligible organizations may fill out the online application.

Who can apply to this fund?

Immediate grant funding is available for nonprofit organizations serving community members who have been impacted by the Coronavirus and the economic consequences of the pandemic in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties. In order to move resources quickly, qualifying entities must be previous grantees of MSCF or its component funds.

I have not received a grant from MSCF before. Can I apply to this fund?

Unfortunately, no. This fund is responsive and moves funds as quickly as possible. In order to facilitate this, we require applicants to have a past grantee history with the Foundation.

I’m an individual who’s been affected by COVID-19. Can this fund help me?

We understand many individuals have been affected. On behalf of our community, we are working to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected. While the Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, we will fund community-based organizations that have experience and history of providing people and families with services and support.

My organization has been impacted negatively can we be considered for a grant to offset lost revenue.

We understand the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting nonprofits in many ways, including increased demand for their services, lost revenue due to closures and cancellations, as well as other challenges. Please describe the impact on your services and programs due to lost revenue.

I want to donate. Can I restrict my funding to a prioritized grantee?

To ensure we move resources as efficiently as possible and respond to needs of communities most impacted, we are not considering restricted donations. This fund was created in the spirit of providing a way to coordinate as many resources as possible.

How can I support this Fund?

We ask that donors contribute online if possible, to ensure that funds can be made available as quickly as possible.

Should I give to this fund instead of making other donations?

This fund will facilitate resources to the community where they are needed most. Please continue to give to organizations you regularly support and those that need your help at this crucial time. They will need your help more than ever.

Will the fund address shifting priorities?

Priorities may evolve as our region adapts to the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to prioritize communities most impacted.

Where can I find updates or new information about the COVID-19 Response Fund and its grantmaking?

Please check our website (MSCF.org) for updates.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here