Caroline Better Together

When it was announced that the federal government might not release SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding due to the government shutdown, many communities braced for a potential crisis. In Caroline County, the news triggered an already-existing infrastructure and spirit of collective impact.
Caroline already had many physical food resources like Aaron’s Place and its satellite pantries, Martin’s House and Barn in Ridgely, and several church-based pantries. Also dotting the county are Blessing Boxes, 24/7 outdoor pantries where anyone can take or leave food, which became even more crucial in light of the lapse in SNAP funding. Thanks to the work of Caroline Better Together in compiling information about these resources and making it readily available to the public, Caroline County showed that it is exceptionally well-prepared for a crisis like this.
“Caroline Better Together is all about bringing people together to build the best community we can be,” said Kat Stork, owner of Shore Strategies, LLC, and facilitator of the Caroline Better Together initiative through the Caroline Human Services Council. “Our Action Teams are poised to respond in situations like this because community organizations and partners are already working together. They can come together quickly and efficiently to connect community providers and community members to collaborate responses to emerging needs. It’s really wonderful to be a resident in a community that can come together to take care of each other.”
For Robin Cahall, President of the Caroline Human Services Council and Health Officer for the Caroline County Health Department, the first priority was clear: communication. “When it became apparent that SNAP benefits were in danger, our immediate priority was to make sure our clients and the public had accurate, up-to-date information about what was happening and what resources were available to them,” she explained. Cahall noted that several thousand Caroline County residents rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families.
Because Caroline Better Together already had strong relationships across schools, faith communities, nonprofits, and local businesses, information and resources moved quickly. “We didn’t have to build new networks or communication channels from scratch,” Cahall said.
It became apparent that the essence of unity and action is embedded in the local culture. Local businesses and residents rose to the occasion, with Market Street Pub in Denton opening a free soup window and the Caroline County Library starting its own free food exchange program. Several individuals sprang into action to help where they could. “It was incredibly moving to see how our community came together,” Cahall said.
Though the effect was not felt in full over an extended period, Caroline County proved that when challenges arise, we are ready to work together.