CARES

(Civic and Religious Emergency Services)

 

CARES is a combination Food Pantry and Emergency Financial Assistance center.  It was started in 1993 by a group of extremely dedicated volunteers primarily from churches in the Govans area.  Their vision was a centralized place where area churches could send persons in need and know they would be served more effectively and efficiently.

CARES serves individuals and families whose access to the basics of housing, adequate food and financial resources is extremely tenuous.  But beyond simply providing emergency assistance, CARES' goal is to help families escape the cycle of crises and move toward self-sufficiency. 

CARES achieves this objective by pooling the food and financial resources donated by not only the 47 GEDCO Member Organizations but with the assistance of numerous other interested individuals, schools, corporations, government agencies and community groups. This approach allows CARES to respond in a timely and coordinated fashion to people in need of immediate assistance. 

CARES takes pride in being a true volunteer operation.  All client-related activities are handled by the dedicated group of over 100 volunteers who do everything from stock the shelves to pack the grocery bags to counsel clients on how to handle a utility cut-off notice.  Please visit the Volunteering with GEDCO section to learn about how you can become a part of the CARES volunteer team.

PROGRAMS


Food Pantry 
Please visit the Food Pantry page to learn more about the pantry and its operations.  This page also contains links to our Pantry Essentials and the latest Current Needs food lists.

Emergency Financial Assistance
Please visit the Emergency Financial Assistance page to learn more about the specific types of assistance provided.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS


Please visit the Eligibility Requirements page to learn more about CARES geographic service area and the documentation that must be presented when applying for services.

LOCATION


CARES is located at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in the rear of its rectory building. The street address for the church is 5502 York Road, just south of the Bellona/York Road interchange. To view a location map, courtesy of MapQuest, please click here.  The CARES telephone number is 410-532-2273

HOURS OF OPERATION


Food Pantry & Emergency Financial Assistance
Monday:    9:00 – 11:00 am
Thursday:    9:00 – 11:00 am

Food Pantry Only:
Saturday:    10:00 – Noon

Food Pantry Restocking - No Food Distribution:
Wednesday:    9:30 – 10:30 am
(Food Deliveries are accepted at this time.) 

OTHER LOCAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS


Please click here to visit the page that offers lists of additional organizations in the Baltimore area that provide varying types of supportive services to community residents.

FOOD-RAISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARES


CARES is always willing to welcome additional new sources of food for the pantry.  Please click here to learn more about how easy it is for individuals and groups to conduct food drives that help supply much needed items.

CARDS FOR CARES PROGRAM

CARDS for CARES are unique handmade cards and preprinted card sets using handmade designs.  Click here to learn more.