Catonsville Emergency Assistance

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

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Our History

food_donate-2girlskneelThe organization began more than 30 years ago through the efforts of Alice March, a generous woman and active church member wanting to give back to the Catonsville community. She began helping people and families in need from the basement of her Catonsville home. Previously, people in need would often go from church to church seeking food, shelter, and any other assistance they could get. There were few charities and churches had limited resources. Many ministers simply reached into their own pockets and gave money.

Soon people started coming to Alice’s back door. After collecting food through church food drives, the Catonsville Emergency Food Network was formed. Alice’s efforts gradually expanded until seventeen churches became involved. Operations moved to the Old Catonsville Elementary School (now Banneker Center) around 1986, and the name was officially incorporated as Catonsville Emergency Food Ministries, Inc. (CEFM). In 1988, CEFM applied for and was granted 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service. The participation of local churches has been the backbone of CEFM since the beginning.

The Rotary Club of Catonsville Sunrise began a partnership with CEFM Network in 2003 which gave CEFM Network access to professional services, such as CPAs, attorneys, and other expert members of the Rotary Club allowing CEFM Network to adopt more proficient financial and legal practices. New by-laws were adopted and modern business practices, such as budgeting and financial controls were implemented. The Rotary Club also agreed to raise money for CEFM Network, and these funds were paid to CEFM Network in a of series grants. Next, CEFM Network moved to a larger location at 1 Newburg Avenue in 2004.

Before long it became apparent that still more space was required. A search for new quarters began. The real estate boom affected Catonsville with its limited real estate inventory, and properties that were for sale sold quickly, and at extremely high prices. In 2005, a house located at 25 Bloomsbury Avenue became available. Situated in an ideal location near Frederick Road, the small building was on an attractive lot.

Thanks to an anonymous donor, the Rotary Club of Catonsville Sunrise Charitable Foundation and a $275,000 grant provided by the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, CEFM was able to acquire the property as a permanent location. In August of 2006, CEFM Network moved into 25 Bloomsbury Avenue, its present location.

WHAT WE DO

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Catonsville Emergency Assistance serves greater Catonsville residents with emergency food, eviction prevention, and utility turn-off intervention. We rely on a generous community of donors. CEA operates frugally and uses donations responsibly to help our Catonsville neighbors in need.

• FOOD ASSISTANCE

Our current needs for food include: canned beans • canned vegetables • canned fruit • pasta sauce • pancake mix • pancake syrup • coffee • tea • sugar • cake mix • pudding • jello • dessert mixes • rice and pasta side dishes • jam/jelly • peanut butter

• WE URGENTLY NEED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS !!!!

Pancake Mixes • Muffin Mixes • Pasta Sides • Peanut Butter • Potato Sides • Mashed Potatoes • Rice Sides • Cake Mixes • Brownie Mixes • Frosting • Peanut Butter • Canned Chicken Soup • Snacks (cookies, crackers) • Canned Meats (Spam, corned beef, ham, salmon) • Pancake Syrup • Granola Bars • Canned Fruit • Canned Corn • Canned Meals (Chef Boyardee, Stews, Chili) • Tomato Products (especially diced tomatoes, tomato paste

• UTILITY CUT-OFF INTERVENTION

Energy costs can place a severe and continuing stress on a family’s budget, and sometimes, the BGE bill just can’t be paid. We provide utility turn-off assistance help to income-eligible residents within our service area. Last year we helped 22 families keep their utilities on. There are always more requests than we have funds to help. Donate now to help.

• EVICTION PREVENTION ASSISTANCE

Families facing immediate eviction because they are behind in paying their past due rent have a limited number of places to turn for help. We provide assistance to income-eligible residents within our service area. Last year we helped 36 families remain in their homes. The need is great for this short-term relief service. Donate now to help.

•Additional Donation Sites

*Narcissus Salon, 28 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville has graciously agreed to accept dry and canned food
donations for CEA. Their hours are: Monday 12 -8 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited so a 1 or 2 bag donation is all they can accept.

*Hair-M Family Hair Care is also accepting can and dry goods donations during their business hours of 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Please note that the salon at 1701 Edmondson Avenue is actually on Dutton Avenue (at Edmondson) next to Scittino’s. Because space in the salon is limited please keep donations to one or two bags.

*The Catonsville office of Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland (OACM) is our newest drop off site for your food donations. OACM is at 910 Frederick Road in Catonsville, and they will accept dry and canned food donations for CEA during their office hours Monday–Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Space is limited so a 1 or 2 bag donation is all they can accept.

*J. W. Trueth and Sons Meat Market. They are located at 328 Oella Ave.

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