Architect Mark McInturff walks toward the front of the now-gutted lumber warehouse building that has been serving as the St. Michaels Community Center for more than 30 years. The building is now under major renovation through 2023, with the project supported by grants and tax-deductible donations from individuals and private foundations that are now being 100% matched by another donor through Dec. 31. McInturff is the architect for the project, with Harper & Sons, Inc. of Easton, Md. serving as the general contractor. A video tour, architectural renderings, and more about the project are at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

New, unwrapped toys are being sought to benefit Bay Hundred area children this holiday season, with drop-off locations including the St. Michaels Community Center, The LumberYard in St. Michaels, Perkins Family YMCA, and Fairbank Tackle. The toy drive is organized by St. Michaels Granite Lodge #177, with donated toys being accepted through Dec. 21.

SMCC additionally is seeking donations of non-perishables, toiletries, and household goods, which can also be dropped off or shipped directly to SMCC at its temporary program location of 207 N. Talbot St., next to The Wildset Hotel, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donated toys and household goods with “for the holiday drive” noted can also be dropped off at Treasure Cove Thrift Shop at 200 Railroad Ave. Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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 its temporary location at 207 N. Talbot St., located next to The Wildset Hotel.

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 also provides emergency clothing and household goods through its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations to the Thrift Store of gently used clothing, toys, household goods, and furniture are gratefully accepted Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round essential human services programs and activities for children, families, and adults. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred’s communities, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org.

The SMCC recently received grant funding in support of the nonprofit’s food distribution program, with Executive Chef Sean Raspberry shown here in SMCC’s current facilities.

The St. Michaels Community Center recently received grant funding in support of feeding people in need through the nonprofit’s food distribution program. The St. Michaels Community Center offers freshly cooked, nutritious meals and pantry bags each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, providing for up to 250 people for each meal.

A $2,945 matching grant has been awarded by the Maryland Department of Human Services Statewide Nutrition Assistance Equipment Program (SNAEP) for the purchase of pantry and kitchen equipment for the St. Michaels Community Center.

A $10,700 American Rescue Plan Act grant has also been awarded by Talbot County for the purchase of food and equipment supporting the St. Michaels Community Center’s food distribution program. The program provides meals and pantry items for people in need from throughout Talbot County’s Bay Hundred area, which spans from the Royal Oak bridge to Tilghman Island.

Other recent grants and gifts in support of SMCC’s general operations and food distribution program have come from The Qlarant Foundation, the Maryland Food Bank, and the local Hell’s Crossing neighborhood group, among others.

“This support comes at a critical time in our history as we move forward with plans to renovate our Community Center,” says St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “These funds will help SMCC strengthen its food distribution program with the purchase of new kitchen and pantry equipment and will provide nutrition education to our neighbors. These funds will help SMCC provide assistance to our neighbors who need our support the most.”

The Community Center announced its first-ever capital campaign supporting the adaptive redesign of its building earlier this year and is currently seeking donations to finish out the campaign. Groundbreaking plans are anticipated to be announced later this year.

The renovated facility will include a modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen, where SMCC plans to train people for jobs in restaurants and hotels, and from which the Center can continue to serve and deliver prepared meals and tens of thousands of bags of groceries to those in need.

Included in the plans are a Technology Center where students can do their homework and space for community gatherings, along with classrooms where Chesapeake College and others can provide high-level instruction right in the middle of town.

Architectural renderings of the building and more about SMCC’s planned capital improvements, including updates and information about how to support the campaign are at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round essential human services programs and activities for children, families, and adults.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred’s communities. More is at www.stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center is hosting a Rock the Block Party on Sat., Sept. 17 from 3 to 6:00 p.m. The free event includes food and drinks, music, games, children’s activities, community resources, and more.

The St. Michaels Community Center hosts block parties throughout the year to build a stronger relationship between neighbors and the community center.

“We are grateful for the work we do in partnership with our donors and community supporters,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “These events bring people together to become more engaged in and connected to the community as a whole.”

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, 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.

The St. Michaels Community Center is joining the St. Michaels Police Department and numerous community partners to host a National Night Out Big Block Party on Tues., Aug. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The free event includes food and drinks, Nannie’s water ice, music, games, community resources, and a police display.

National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. The program provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances, with more at www.natw.org.

“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.”

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, 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.

St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe, left, with Responsible Fathers Initiative Lead Facilitator Corey W. Pack.

The St. Michaels Community Center is helping fathers get the skills they need to be involved in their children’s lives by sponsoring the National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad program beginning this August.

The free program is being facilitated by the Responsible Fathers Initiative, with limited participation and pre-registration needed.

A 13-session workshop begins at SMCC on August 2 and continues Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. through December 13, with a light meal provided for participants. The program will give dads the parenting, relationship, and communication skills they need to be involved, responsible, and committed fathers.

“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.”

Developed by fathering and parenting experts, 24/7 Dad focuses on the characteristics that men need to be involved fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This community-based program helps men develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need to get—and stay—involved with their children. 24/7 Dad focuses on key fathering characteristics—like masculinity, discipline, and work/family balance—and helps men evaluate their own parenting skills, as well as their fathering role models.

“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.”

Pack founded the Responsible Fathers Initiative in 2020 after a career working with the State of Maryland and while serving as Talbot County Councilman. The Initiative provides communication and engagement skills and provides fathers with an understanding of the importance of their roles in the family while providing the skills and tools needed to empower fathers to be the best they can be. More is at www.responsiblefathersintiative.org.

“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 3 children live in father-absent homes, the Community Center should be applauded for its efforts to help dads get involved.”

The National Fatherhood Initiative was founded in 1994 as a premier provider of fatherhood resources in the nation. The Initiative has trained more than 25,000 practitioners from more than 6,300 organizations through its national resource center FatherSOURCE™, in delivering meaningful programming to dads, with more at www.fatherhood.org.

For more information or to enroll in the program, contact SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe at 410-745-6073 or at [email protected].

Donations to the St. Michaels Community Center’s annual fund and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help provide essential human services, programs, and community events for people in St. Michaels and from throughout Maryland’s Bay Hundred area. The nonprofit also recently announced its first capital campaign supporting the adaptive redesign of its building, with architectural renderings and more at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s summer programs have returned with a free Community Block Party at SMCC on Saturday, June 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The free event includes food, drinks, music, and children’s and family activities.

Summer camps for children begin on June 27 and provide age-appropriate activities for children entering K-5^th grades. Camp themes include farm-to-food connections, letting your inner artist shine, get out and explore, and dance the night away, with more information and limited registration at www.stmichaelscc.org.

SMCC’s senior programs are also taking place on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and feature activities including bingo, painting, lunch, and fellowship. All are invited.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, 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.

St. Michaels Community Center recently announced its first-ever capital campaign supporting the adaptive redesign of its building, shown here, with architectural renderings.

The St. Michaels Community Center is seeking input from residents from Royal Oak to Tilghman Island to help shape the future of the nonprofit’s programs and services, with the survey available online through July at www.stmichaelscc.org.

“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.

A paper version of the survey is also available at SMCC and the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop.

The Community Center announced in May its first-ever capital campaign to renew, rebuild, and revitalize its aged building in the Town’s Historic District. The renovation will allow the Community Center to double the number of children and adults served by the nonprofit’s programs and services.

The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays along with youth, senior, and adult programs throughout the year.

Donations to the St. Michaels Community Center’s annual fund and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and from throughout Maryland’s Bay Hundred area. The nonprofit also recently announced its first-ever capital campaign supporting the adaptive redesign of its building, with more architectural renderings and more at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.