From left: St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Trish Payne, with Allison (7), Cameron (9), Judith Cornette, and Megan (12) at SMCC as the family drops off their donated items for families in need this holiday season. SMCC is collecting toys, games, books, clothing items, and infant items up until December 18, with donations dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop or SMCC, and more at stmichaelscc.org.

Judith Cornette of St. Michaels, Md.and her grandchildren recently reached out to the St. Michaels Community Center with items gathered through their following a reverse advent calendar for food banks this holiday season. The children did all the shopping and decorating of the box, and the items will help bring a family hope and joy this season, with the calendar downloaded at bit.ly/reverseadventcal.

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 at 103 Railroad Ave., St. Michaels, Md., 21663.

Charitable donations can be dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. Mondays through Saturdays from 10 to 2pm, or at SMCC on Mondays from 5-7pm; Wednesdays from 3 to 5pm; and Fridays from 11to 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 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.

SMCC usually hosts annual community dinners at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. This year they have transitioned to take-out and delivery meals as part of the Community Center’s role as the Bay Hundred area’s food hub during the COVID pandemic.

SMCC also provides emergency clothing and household goods through its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, which is open for shoppers with masks and social distancing Mon. through Sat., 10 to 2pm.  Donations to the Thrift Store of gently used clothing, toys, household goods, and furniture are gratefully accepted each of those days from 10 to 1:30 pm.

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 stmichaelscc.org.

When the St. Michaels Community Center began serving at the heart of the Bay Hundred community in 1990, no one could have imagined the impact the neighborhood organization would have 30 years later, especially while the organization serves as the Bay Hundred’s food hub during the nation’s COVID-19 pandemic. Nor would they have ever imagined the great kindness gathered during the pandemic through the organization’s role as the community’s helpers.

SMCC Executive Director Trish Payne says SMCC has helped provide 1,941 bags of groceries and 3,830 take-out and delivery meals to people from throughout the Bay Hundred area—which stretches from St. Michaels to Tilghman Island—in the weeks between April 6, 2020 and June 19, 2020.

The center continues to provide food support at its Railroad Ave. location on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and has recently re-opened its Treasure Cove Thrift Store with limited guests, required masks, and adherence to social distancing practices.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps around the globe, uncertainty and apprehension travel right along with it,” says Payne. “But humanity rises to the challenge in so many ways big and small, as I have been lucky enough to witness in St. Michaels through my role as the community center’s Executive Director.”

“In addition to all the selfless health care workers, law enforcement agencies, grocery workers, food manufacturers, truck drivers, churches, social service groups, soup kitchens and more, there are also many unseen heroes among us,” said Payne. “Neighbors, friends, and strangers are stepping up to support each other and the folks on the front lines helping to keep our communities safe, heal the sick, and feed the hungry.”

The St. Michaels Community Center is part of a community of food support organizations operating under the Talbot County Emergency Services Task Force. SMCC works as the Bay Hundred food hub, keeping food on the tables and bags of groceries in the homes of those in need. The center works in partnership with other food banks, churches, Meals on Wheels, and many local businesses and volunteers pulling together.

The St. Michaels Community Center—with a mission to serve, empower, and connect our community—is committed to combating discrimination and racism through its actions, partnerships, and programs. The Center’s programs of food distribution, neighborhood engagement, family activities, and more aim to bring neighbors together and reduce inequality.

Donations supporting SMCC can be made at paypal.me/smccmd,with non-perishable food, household supplies, and dry goods received by drop-off at the St. Michaels Community Center. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

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The St. Michaels Community Center is providing take-out meals at its 103 Railroad Ave. location in St. Michaels on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. for soup and sandwiches, and Fridays from 11 to 3 p.m. Pick-up and delivery of bags of groceries take place on Mondays and Fridays at the same times. To schedule a pick-up or meal delivery, please call 410-745-6073.

“We’re here for you, and we’re smiling,” said SMCC Executive Director Trish Payne. “This pandemic has many more people in need of food, from all walks of life. We are grateful to be able to serve anyone in need, and especially for the donations that help us be the helpers.”

Individuals wanting to help can donate to SMCC at paypal.me/smccmd, or drop off non-perishables at the St. Michaels Community Center, the St. Michaels Police Dept., YMCA of the Chesapeake locations, and area churches.

The extension of SMCC’s outreach is coordinated in part with Talbot County’s Emergency Services, Health Dept., law enforcement, public schools, area churches, and other non-profit community service providers. More information and updates from SMCC are at stmichaelscc.org.

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The St. Michaels Community Center recently announced the Maryland General Assembly appropriated $25,000 in bond bill financing toward the cost of an engineering study and architectural design to renovate its building at 103 Railroad Ave., St. Michaels.

Built for use as a lumber warehouse in 1940, SMCC’s building has received minimal upgrades since then. State Senator Adelaide Eckardt and State Delegate John Mautz sponsored the bill, with SMCC Advisory Board member Langley Shook testifying at a joint hearing to support the bill.

“This legislation requires us to match these funds through private donations,” said Shook. “The people of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area need and deserve a sounder, safer facility to better serve the community– something we all can be proud of. This is made more evident during the current COVID-19 crisis, where SMCC has been designated as the Bay Hundred’s Food Distribution Hub.”

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 stmichaelscc.org.

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