Shore Transit providing free transportation from Snow Hill and Pocomoke City
(April 5, 2018) Berlin is hosting the first Worcester Community Access to Resources Expo (Worcester CARES) event on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the multipurpose building located on 130 Flower Street.
This family friendly event features nonprofit organizations throughout the county, creating a one-stop shop for individuals and families looking for support or assistance. Worcester residents will have the opportunity to learn about services they need the most.
“We are excited to report the event has filled up with 36 companies and organizations providing services to our community,” Mayor Gee Williams said.
The town is partnering with Delmarva Power, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Telamon, Worcester County Department of Social Services, Shore Up!, the Salvation Army, and Worcester Youth and Family to organize the event.
Shore Transit will provide free transportation from Snow Hill and Pocomoke City on routes 452 and 432 to and from the event.
Worcester CARES will have a limited number of bagged groceries available on a first-come, first-served basis for attendees who complete the event evaluation form. Event organizers are working with the Maryland Food Bank. The town, in collaboration with Worcester Youth and Family, is holding a food drive as well.
From now until 4:30 p.m. on April 12, nonperishable food donations can be made at the Town Hall customer service office at 10 William Street between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Food donations can also be made at Worcester Youth and Family, on 124 North Main Street Suite C, during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“The support from our business community continues to grow. We have the Bayside Gazette and The Dispatch as Platinum Sponsors now. Ocean 98 is talking about our event every day. The Berlin Community Improvement Association is waiving its room rental fee. We’ve received food donations from Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Uncle Willie’s and Walmart for our vendors and volunteers,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said.
“We have some great volunteers as well. The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Company is letting us use their tables. The Kiwanis of Greater Ocean Pines and Ocean City, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and lots of Town employees are giving their time to serve the community. Their willingness to help is making all the difference,” she added.
A total of 36 organizations have committed to participating, including: Atlantic General Hospital Nutrition Department, Atlantic General Hospital Nutrition Department/ Kennedy Krieger, Bathfitters, Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Chesapeake Health Care, Chesapeake Housing Mission, Chesapeake Utilities & Sandpiper Energy, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Inc., Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care, Delmarva Discovery Center & Museum, Delmarva Power/Pepco, Delmarva Toastmasters Club, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Habitat for Humanity-Worcester County, Hope4Recovery, Jesse Klump Memorial Fund, Inc., JobCorps, Life Crisis Center, Maryland Insurance Administration, Maryland Legal Aid, Salvation Army, SHORE UP! Inc., Telamon Corporation, The Local Management Board/Behavioral Health Authority, Town of Berlin, Tyree AME Church, Veterans Upward Bound, Worcester County Commission on Aging, Worcester County DSS, Worcester County Health Department-Lower Shore Health Insurance Assistance Program, Worcester County Recreation & Parks, Worcester County University of Maryland Extension Office, Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction, and Worcester Youth and Family.
Organizers are seeking additional volunteers. For more information, contact town administrative assistant Kelsey Jensen at 410-973-2289 or Allen at 410-641-4144.