I have just had the privilege of putting together a document listing all the information I can find on Cecil County's homeless shelters and food pantries. I am putting it here in the hope that it can be used by others. This is as complete as I can make it but I did not verify all information. Please call ahead to make sure that the service you would like to use is open at the times specified.
Cecil County Department of Social Services
Referrals to shelters, Homelessness Prevention Program, food stamps, medical assistance.170 East Main Street, Elkton 21921 410-996-0100
Cecil County Food Pantries
Name: Cecil County Help Center
Phone: (410) 996-0260
Address: 135 E. High Street Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: Referral from DSS
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8am – 4 pm (Closed 12 noon – 1 pm for lunch)
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association
Phone:
Address: Trinity United Methodist Church, South Chesapeake City
Requirements: Unknown but may be that you need to be a resident of Chesapeake City area.
Hours of Operations: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 am - noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Immaculate Conception Outreach
Phone: (410) 398-2110
Address: 455 Bow Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Jewish Relief Center at Beit Ha Torah Messianic Synagogue
Phone: (410)392-5554
Address: 528 West Pulaski Hgwy., Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Mondays, 9:30-11:30 am
Services Provided: Food, OTC medical supplies, personal hygiene supplies, furniture and appliances. Fuel assistance, rental assistance and motel nights for homeless.
Name: North East United Methodist Church
Phone: (410) 287-2220
Address: 308 S. Main Street
North East, MD 21901
Requirements: NE residents only
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food pantry
Name: Ray of Hope Mission Center
Phone: (410) 378-9800
Address:960 Craigtown Rd., Port Deposit, MD 21904
Requirements: Must qualify through an intake process
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm and Sat. 1 -4 pm
Service Provided: Thrift shop for community and vouchers issued to the needy to receive items free of charge. Food Pantry on Fridays. Must apply to be eligible.
Name: Rock Presbyterian Church – Deacons’ Food pantry
Phone: (410) 398-3470
Address: 3301 Singerly Road
Elkton, MD 21921
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 8 pm
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Church of the Good Shepard
Phone: (410) 642-3588
Address: 810 Aiken Ave., Perryville, MD 21903
Requirements: Must be Cecil County resident.
Hours of Operation: Mon.- Fri. 10 am – 12 pm(?) Call ahead
Services Provided: Food Pantry, and financial assistance towards eviction prevention, water bills, prescriptions, and heating bills.
Shelters
Name: Cecil County Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Center
Phone: (410) 996-0333
Address: Confidential
Requirements: Victims of domestic violence or rape.
Hours of Operation: 24 hour Hotline
Service Provided: Shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Name: Wayfarer’s House
Phone: (410) 398-4381
Address: 107 Delaware Ave,
Elkton, MD
Requirements: Women and children only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for women and children.
Name: Clairveaux Farm
Phone: (410) 275-8990
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for families.
Name: Settlement House
Phone: (410) 392-8066
Requirements: Men only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for men
Service Provided: Rotating Church Based Homeless Shelter
Phone: (410) 620-4701
Requirements: Men, Women and families.
Hours of Operation: Intake for women and families is at Wayfarer’s House and men at Settlement House from 3-5 daily during winter months.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Free Pumpkins
About 15 years ago, we were driving in the Pocono Mountains on our way to a harvest fair at a living history farm. On a back road, I saw a giant pumpkin, lying on its side, alongside the road. I asked my husband to stop the car so I could pick it up but he refused since we had already driven down the road a bit. I told him I was getting it on the way home. I remembered where it was and we stopped on the way home. I picked up this huge pumpkin that had a crack on one side of it and put it in the trunk. I could tell it had fallen off a truck just that morning or the night before. It was still fresh!
What did I do with the pumpkin since it had a crack? I cooked it in the oven and we ate it! I cut chunks out and we ate a colonial dish of pumpkin, ham and corn in broth. We ate pumpkin bread and other things. Pumpkins are great to eat and we actually cook with it year round. The best way to get the pumpkin cooked is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place on a greased cookie sheet, flat side down. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Now just scoop out the insides. Fresh pumpkin can be watery but throw it in a sieve and have it drain over a bowl and it will be firmer. My issue of Country Living magazine has several great recipes for pumpkin dishes, including pumpkin ginger waffles. Try searching for recipes online and make something with pumpkin today.
If you are not as fortunate as I was that year, and can’t find a roadside pumpkin, try going to a small produce stand. Look for a pumpkin with a crack in it, an odd shape or strange markings. If it isn’t good for Halloween carving, the owner may let you have it at a reduced rate. I asked one produce stand if they would let me have one with a crack in it for a reduced rate and the owner said, “Aw, just take it.” (Another free pumpkin!!!) Don’t be shy. If the answer is no, then say thank you before leaving to try another produce stand.
Does anyone have a good recipe that uses pumpkins? Post it or a link and we can all enjoy some great, Fall fare.
What did I do with the pumpkin since it had a crack? I cooked it in the oven and we ate it! I cut chunks out and we ate a colonial dish of pumpkin, ham and corn in broth. We ate pumpkin bread and other things. Pumpkins are great to eat and we actually cook with it year round. The best way to get the pumpkin cooked is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place on a greased cookie sheet, flat side down. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Now just scoop out the insides. Fresh pumpkin can be watery but throw it in a sieve and have it drain over a bowl and it will be firmer. My issue of Country Living magazine has several great recipes for pumpkin dishes, including pumpkin ginger waffles. Try searching for recipes online and make something with pumpkin today.
If you are not as fortunate as I was that year, and can’t find a roadside pumpkin, try going to a small produce stand. Look for a pumpkin with a crack in it, an odd shape or strange markings. If it isn’t good for Halloween carving, the owner may let you have it at a reduced rate. I asked one produce stand if they would let me have one with a crack in it for a reduced rate and the owner said, “Aw, just take it.” (Another free pumpkin!!!) Don’t be shy. If the answer is no, then say thank you before leaving to try another produce stand.
Does anyone have a good recipe that uses pumpkins? Post it or a link and we can all enjoy some great, Fall fare.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Four Types of Frugal People
I have been thinking about why people are frugal or why they become frugal. I find it an interesting topic because many people equate being frugal with being miserly. But, from my own experience and the other frugal people’s experience that I know, that is not the case.
Why are we frugal? I think that, in most cases, it is because we need to be in order to make our paychecks pay for the necessities, and some wants, in our lives. That certainly fits me and most others that I know.
The second type of person is frugal because they have a goal they are working towards. The goal can be to have a stay-at-home parent in the house, save for children’s college or retirement or whatever their personal goals are. Many people are in this category and the good frugal habits they cultivate often stay with them throughout their lives.
The third type of person that is frugal are people that are born frugal. They are the kids who have so much cash in their piggy bank that their parents borrow from them when they are short on cash. Sometimes these people grow up with frugal parents or sometimes they just seem to come out of the womb being frugal. Who knows where they got it? I have a brother-in-law and his wife who were both frugal from when they were young. (Family legend has it that when he was little, you could ask Tommy to do anything for a quarter and he would.) He and his wife have worked hard, saved money for their children’s education, their retirement and carry no credit card debt.
The fourth type of frugalite is the one that everyone knows. They are the stereotypically frugal person. They are the one that gives other frugalites a very bad name. They are the miser. They often were born frugal but carried it too far. Or perhaps, they had a heart wrenching life experience (such as homelessness when they were a child) and it created a miserly mindset. They are the ones that are cheap, always trying to get the most for their buck but at someone else’s expense.
Why are you frugal? Has the new economy driven you to frugality? What changes did you make?
Why are we frugal? I think that, in most cases, it is because we need to be in order to make our paychecks pay for the necessities, and some wants, in our lives. That certainly fits me and most others that I know.
The second type of person is frugal because they have a goal they are working towards. The goal can be to have a stay-at-home parent in the house, save for children’s college or retirement or whatever their personal goals are. Many people are in this category and the good frugal habits they cultivate often stay with them throughout their lives.
The third type of person that is frugal are people that are born frugal. They are the kids who have so much cash in their piggy bank that their parents borrow from them when they are short on cash. Sometimes these people grow up with frugal parents or sometimes they just seem to come out of the womb being frugal. Who knows where they got it? I have a brother-in-law and his wife who were both frugal from when they were young. (Family legend has it that when he was little, you could ask Tommy to do anything for a quarter and he would.) He and his wife have worked hard, saved money for their children’s education, their retirement and carry no credit card debt.
The fourth type of frugalite is the one that everyone knows. They are the stereotypically frugal person. They are the one that gives other frugalites a very bad name. They are the miser. They often were born frugal but carried it too far. Or perhaps, they had a heart wrenching life experience (such as homelessness when they were a child) and it created a miserly mindset. They are the ones that are cheap, always trying to get the most for their buck but at someone else’s expense.
Why are you frugal? Has the new economy driven you to frugality? What changes did you make?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Mollie’s Bargain Barrel
Just over a week ago I went to Mollie’s Bargain Barrel in North East on Peninsula Drive (which is the road next to the Holiday Inn on Rt. 272). I found a small, but great, grocery salvage store. Mollie’s carries some canned goods, boxed meals, coffees, household cleaners, baby supplies, snacks, drinks and pet foods. I found a great assortment of foods and household items.
There were quite a few good deals, like Quaker Oatmeal Squares (smaller box) for $2.00. I also found Starbucks coffee, 12 oz size, for $5.00!!! I hope they have some more when I go back to get some this week. They also had several other brands of canned coffee if you don’t like the dark roast.
Most of the items were damaged goods rather than goods that are past their expiration date. They had a few cans of Vintage Seltzer that were dented free. I grabbed a few and left them in my van. I looked at one two days ago and the top of it was pushed up and expanded. It looked like it would explode if ever opened. I sure hope not because I forgot to take it out of the van!!! (So much for free being good when it comes to seltzer cans!).
Mollie’s has a small table and chairs with toys and coloring books for young children. The store is small enough so a mother can see her child playing as she shops. Very handy for busy moms! I also noticed that the staff was friendly and helpful.
Mollie’s is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-4 pm. They may change the hours to be open Wednesday too but close, during the week, at 2 p.m.
Come out and investigate Mollie’s while supporting a local business.
There were quite a few good deals, like Quaker Oatmeal Squares (smaller box) for $2.00. I also found Starbucks coffee, 12 oz size, for $5.00!!! I hope they have some more when I go back to get some this week. They also had several other brands of canned coffee if you don’t like the dark roast.
Most of the items were damaged goods rather than goods that are past their expiration date. They had a few cans of Vintage Seltzer that were dented free. I grabbed a few and left them in my van. I looked at one two days ago and the top of it was pushed up and expanded. It looked like it would explode if ever opened. I sure hope not because I forgot to take it out of the van!!! (So much for free being good when it comes to seltzer cans!).
Mollie’s has a small table and chairs with toys and coloring books for young children. The store is small enough so a mother can see her child playing as she shops. Very handy for busy moms! I also noticed that the staff was friendly and helpful.
Mollie’s is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-4 pm. They may change the hours to be open Wednesday too but close, during the week, at 2 p.m.
Come out and investigate Mollie’s while supporting a local business.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Great Guest Post on The Simple Dollar
I saw this guest post from Vicki Robin, co-author of Your Money or Your Life. One of the things l liked about it was that it stressed multiple streams of income, which I wrote about last week.
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/08/27/having-enough-for-life/
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/08/27/having-enough-for-life/
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Field Trip to Rising Sun
I decided to make Saturday a “field trip” day and check out some stores I have read or heard advertised on the radio. My first stop was Molly’s Bargain Bin on Peninsula Dr. in North East (The road at the Holiday Inn on Rt. 272). Unfortunately, they were closed. They are normally open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I hope to get to them this weekend.
I continued up the road to Gifford’s Farm Market and Feed Store . I discovered this store in July and found that chicken feed is a good deal (about 20%) cheaper than Tractor Supply Company, where I bought it before. If you need feed, check them out and support a local business. On Saturday, I bought more feed and some of the great fresh vegetables, including potatoes. I was able to finagle a discount on the potatoes, since I bought 24 lbs. of them!
I continued on into Rising Sun to Second Hand Rose, which I was just dying to see. I liked this consignment shop. It was very tastefully decorated and the clothes and home décor items are very nicely presented. There are 3 rooms of home décor items and one room with clothes, books, shoes, purses and DVD’s. The selection is limited but the quality is excellent. The clothes are arranged as to gender and size, which makes it easier to shop. I almost bought something for our home but thought it was just too expensive. If I found it at a garage sale, it would have been $10 less.
Onward I went to the new Make Up Mania, next to the Martin’s. I first heard about the store on WXCY and decided I would pop in next time I was in Rising Sun. It is an amazing little store! They sell make up, personal care items, cleaning supplies and some baby things. I was very impressed with their stock and their prices. I am not a big make up person but if you are, you need to check them out. They sell L’Oreal moisturizers for about 2/3 what they cost elsewhere. Packages of 5 Gerber “onesies” sell for $5 (great for baby showers). They had very lovely perfumes and Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around in the store and was able to buy the one item I came for. I highly recommend that you check them out for your make up and personal care needs.
On the way into town, I saw a new thrift store on the corner of Queen and Main Streets. It is called Sun Consignments. I walked in there and looked around. This consignment shop is packed with all kinds of clothing. It is arranged only by gender and with children’s clothing in its own section. Sizes are jumbled together. They do have a dressing room. They also carry some kitchen wares and plenty of toys/baby items. The prices were more like thrift store prices and the quality of the goods, like a thrift store, varied. The owner was very nice and helpful. I ended up buying some garden clogs for $2 (hot pink!). Take a ride down there and check them out. I think you may be pleasantly surprised.
Rising Sun offers some great discount option for the frugalite and it is well worth the trip.
I continued up the road to Gifford’s Farm Market and Feed Store . I discovered this store in July and found that chicken feed is a good deal (about 20%) cheaper than Tractor Supply Company, where I bought it before. If you need feed, check them out and support a local business. On Saturday, I bought more feed and some of the great fresh vegetables, including potatoes. I was able to finagle a discount on the potatoes, since I bought 24 lbs. of them!
I continued on into Rising Sun to Second Hand Rose, which I was just dying to see. I liked this consignment shop. It was very tastefully decorated and the clothes and home décor items are very nicely presented. There are 3 rooms of home décor items and one room with clothes, books, shoes, purses and DVD’s. The selection is limited but the quality is excellent. The clothes are arranged as to gender and size, which makes it easier to shop. I almost bought something for our home but thought it was just too expensive. If I found it at a garage sale, it would have been $10 less.
Onward I went to the new Make Up Mania, next to the Martin’s. I first heard about the store on WXCY and decided I would pop in next time I was in Rising Sun. It is an amazing little store! They sell make up, personal care items, cleaning supplies and some baby things. I was very impressed with their stock and their prices. I am not a big make up person but if you are, you need to check them out. They sell L’Oreal moisturizers for about 2/3 what they cost elsewhere. Packages of 5 Gerber “onesies” sell for $5 (great for baby showers). They had very lovely perfumes and Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around in the store and was able to buy the one item I came for. I highly recommend that you check them out for your make up and personal care needs.
On the way into town, I saw a new thrift store on the corner of Queen and Main Streets. It is called Sun Consignments. I walked in there and looked around. This consignment shop is packed with all kinds of clothing. It is arranged only by gender and with children’s clothing in its own section. Sizes are jumbled together. They do have a dressing room. They also carry some kitchen wares and plenty of toys/baby items. The prices were more like thrift store prices and the quality of the goods, like a thrift store, varied. The owner was very nice and helpful. I ended up buying some garden clogs for $2 (hot pink!). Take a ride down there and check them out. I think you may be pleasantly surprised.
Rising Sun offers some great discount option for the frugalite and it is well worth the trip.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Multiple Income Streams
In today’s economy, even if you have a full time job, it is a good idea to create multiple income streams. What this means is having money coming in from a second job and/or other income generating ventures, such as selling handmade items.
I have three streams of income and my husband has two, with an occasional third. Of course, neither of us has a full time job so this is a necessity. I work 30 hours a week at the College library and this is my main job. I have a part time research librarian job that I work sporadically and I, also, get paid a small fee when I present Frugal Living to Accomplish Your Goals. My husband is an adjunct instructor for two local colleges. He also takes on the occasional editing job.
Having more than one stream of income can be a blessing when hard times come knocking at your door. Even if your handcrafted articles pull in $100 a month, it is $100 more than you had. If you get laid off from your job, you can work longer hours at your side business and maybe double that income.
What kind of side businesses can you engage in? Where are your talents and knowledge? Can you make jewelry? Sew? Arrange flowers? Build sheds? Sell your eggs? Sell books on Amazon? Babysit? Paint faces at parties? The list goes on.
Here are some links to articles on starting your own side business:
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/04/11/50-side-businesses-you-can-start-on-your-own/ I love the Simple Dollar and Trent outlines some ideas for having your own side business.
http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2009/02/17/side-business-ideas-recap.aspx
I do not follow this blogger but he has a large following and these ideas can be helpful too.
Be wary of multi-level marketing businesses such as Mary Kay, Amway, Discovery Toys, etc. If you have something to sell, you will start with your friends and relatives. Selling to friends and family can change your relationship with them. I am not saying that becoming a representative is a bad thing but I am saying it can change your relationships.
There are plenty of articles and books on starting a side business. Read a few to get ideas on what the problems and opportunities are for the business you want to start and then start that business!
I have three streams of income and my husband has two, with an occasional third. Of course, neither of us has a full time job so this is a necessity. I work 30 hours a week at the College library and this is my main job. I have a part time research librarian job that I work sporadically and I, also, get paid a small fee when I present Frugal Living to Accomplish Your Goals. My husband is an adjunct instructor for two local colleges. He also takes on the occasional editing job.
Having more than one stream of income can be a blessing when hard times come knocking at your door. Even if your handcrafted articles pull in $100 a month, it is $100 more than you had. If you get laid off from your job, you can work longer hours at your side business and maybe double that income.
What kind of side businesses can you engage in? Where are your talents and knowledge? Can you make jewelry? Sew? Arrange flowers? Build sheds? Sell your eggs? Sell books on Amazon? Babysit? Paint faces at parties? The list goes on.
Here are some links to articles on starting your own side business:
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/04/11/50-side-businesses-you-can-start-on-your-own/ I love the Simple Dollar and Trent outlines some ideas for having your own side business.
http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2009/02/17/side-business-ideas-recap.aspx
I do not follow this blogger but he has a large following and these ideas can be helpful too.
Be wary of multi-level marketing businesses such as Mary Kay, Amway, Discovery Toys, etc. If you have something to sell, you will start with your friends and relatives. Selling to friends and family can change your relationship with them. I am not saying that becoming a representative is a bad thing but I am saying it can change your relationships.
There are plenty of articles and books on starting a side business. Read a few to get ideas on what the problems and opportunities are for the business you want to start and then start that business!
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