Annual Fund Letter
La Cuchara
Not sure what to make for the next holiday dinner? This is the easiest decision you’ll make all season. La Cuchara’s Chef Ben Lefenfeld is donating a live pre-recorded cooking demo of his incredible Pistachio-Sage Leg of Lamb with Winter Vegetables. Whether you’re cooking up this dish together with your quarantine partner, or sharing it with your favorite neighbors, it is sure to impress!
Exclusive recorded cooking demo will be released to donors shortly after payment. Cost: $75. Chef-prepared ingredients can be purchased for pick-up directly from La Cuchara’s Marketplace for $119. Purchases made throughout the week are available for pickup on Friday and Saturday.
Support the Hampden Family Center by purchasing this class, and support one of our favorite local restaurants by buying the ingredients directly from La Cuchara!
Counseling
Remaining accessible to our most vulnerable neighbors
For the past four months, Hampden Family Center has coordinated food and essential item distributions every Friday at noon. This week, we received an incredible fresh produce delivery from Civic Works Real Food Farm, and produce, milk and protein coordinated by City Harbor Church & YWAM Baltimore. These fresh, nutritious summer foods make all the difference in our community.
It has been our goal to remain accessible to our most vulnerable neighbors, who often do not have a consistent address or working phone, who need us now more than ever. These distributions have also allowed us to continue case management and socially distanced follow-ups. We serve 30 to 40 clients each week, but the need is growing.
If you’d like to donate items, or know someone who needs assistance applying for food stamps, medical assistance, energy assistance, stimulus checks, WIC, tax credits etc., please call us at 410-467-8710. We’re staying connected, despite the distance.If you have items to drop off at the Center, please call us at 410-467-8710 to arrange a convenient time. We are in need of the following:
Hygiene items:
- Socks
- Blankets
- Masks
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush + paste
- Kleenex
- Soap + wash cloth
- Sunscreen
- Feminine hygiene items
- Ponchos
Food items:
- Can openers
- Water bottles (reusable)
- Peanut butter
- Bread
- Fruit cups
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Granola bars
Adapted Services during COVID-19
While our building is closed, we are still working remotely and are adapting our services to meet the community’s needs in the safest and most efficient manner possible.
- Staff can be reached by calling the main line: 410-467-8710.
- We hold Friday distributions of essential items and nutritious foods for 30-40 families each week.
- Case management continues remotely and during Friday distributions.
- We continue to serve as a mailing address for those experiencing homelessness.
- Weekly mail distributions are conducted, allowing clients to pick up economic impact payments, social services notices, EBT cards, SSI checks etc.
- The Center has joined a coalition of local service providers, including Action in Maturity (AIM), Keswick and St. Mary’s Outreach Center, to coordinate food distributions and case management to seniors in Hampden.
- We receive regular policy and program updates from the Baltimore City Department of Human Services.
- Virtual programming is being developed.
- We are connecting clients to our incredible community partners who can provide additional services.
Virtual Youth Enrichment Program
Virtual activities from our amazing partners will include Art with a Heart, Code in the Schools, JHU Sharing Languages, TasteWise Kids and Academic Tutoring support from CovEducation! We hope to add outdoor instruction and learning opportunities as appropriate throughout the semester so stay tuned!
If you would like your student to join the fun please contact Pierre Sanders at hrpsanders@hampdenfamilycenter.org or 410-467-8710 with questions.
The virtual spring semester program for students K-5 begins Monday, January 18.
#stopthespread
Zoom Fitness Classes
Get moving with these Zoom fitness classes held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays! Classes are taught by Debbie Bena, in partnership with MedStar Health. Please direct questions to 443-444-4793.
Tutoring Resources
We have partnered with CovEducation to bring virtual mentoring and tutoring to Hampden students in grades K-12. Parents and guardians can sign up online and choose from a list of available mentors based on: schedules, school subjects, and grade level. Especially now during COVID, they are bringing academic support straight to your home. Please contact Outreach Team Member Ella at ella.stark@yale.edu with any questions.
St. Mary's Outreach
St. Mary’s Outreach Center (SMOC) offices moved to the Hampden Family Center this past winter. SMOC provides free services that help older adults in Baltimore City meet the challenge of living self-sufficiently with dignity and respect. Their services will complement the Family Center’s programs and resources. Read more here.
Counseling
Are you looking for counseling, but not sure where to start? Hampden Family Center is pleased to announce its partnership with Family & Children’s Services of Central Maryland. Call the Center at 410-467-8710 for more information and to schedule an appointment to complete a referral form.
25 Years of Support, Comfort and Hope
In these unsettling and worrisome times, people turn to us. Knowing the Hampden Family Center is still a phone call away is of great comfort to many, particularly our most vulnerable clients. We are continually modifying programs and expanding our partnerships to best support the changing needs of the community.
As we begin our next 25 years of service, our work is now more critical than ever, and we’d love for you to join us. Please give what you can today.
The Family Center follows Baltimore City Public Schools for inclement weather closings and delays.
The Hampden Family Center relies on individual donations as a means of supporting the Hampden community. Your contribution will help the Family Center provide programs and services for all ages in Hampden. Your donation to the Hampden Family Center makes a difference. Find out how far your dollars can go!
You shop. Amazon gives. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Go to smile.amazon.com to get started.
- Click “Your Account” and choose “Change Your Charity”
- Search for “Hampden Family Center”
It’s easy to get us something we need when you shop from our Amazon Wish List!
Like our page on Facebook to keep up with all the happenings at the Family Center! www.facebook.com/hampdenfamilycenter
