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2020 Shore Update Best Of

Front Line Hero

By Marcus Hoffman

Krista Pettit, founder of Haven Ministries, honored as our front line hero.

For the last several years, Haven Ministries has served an important role in our community-helping those going through economic hardship. Whether it be getting food on

the table for a hungry family or giving someone without a home a safe place to sleep, Haven Ministries provides an invaluable service to Queen Anne’s County.

The pandemic and subsequent lockdown only accentuates Haven Ministries’ importance.

Many lost their jobs and were forced to deal with a backed up unemployment system and

suddenly had to turn to Haven Ministries for help. Even some who didn’t experience financial hardship had to turn to Haven Ministries during the brief food shortage. Because of everything Haven Ministries has done for Queen Anne’s County during COVID, we think they embody the essence of #Shorestrong. I got to speak with Krista Pettit, the founder of Haven Ministries, to learn a little more about the organization’s origins, how they adapted to best serve the community during the pandemic and the role faith plays in what Haven Ministries does.

What led to you starting Haven Ministries?

Many years ago, my family and I personally experienced financial hardship. In order to make ends meet, we had to accept help from our family including our church family. As difficult

as that was, I experienced the power of the church in walking alongside those facing difficult times and that changed my life forever. During this timeframe at a church worship service, I heard God call to me, telling me to start a homeless shelter. After ignoring this command for some time, the burden to start a shelter became overwhelming. One day I cried out to God and

asked him how I was to start a shelter, and He replied – “call the churches.” I started calling the area churches who affirmed that they were indeed interested in joining the efforts of helping the homeless. I quickly scheduled a meeting, and Haven Ministries was born.

How has COVID changed how Haven Ministries does things? Has the transition been difficult?

Haven Ministries’ essential services have remained open throughout the pandemic. In order to meet HUD and CDC recommendations, we have had to totally reconfigure how we distribute services – which has led to drive-thru food pantries, completing applications for financial assistance by phone, and relocating the shelter to a hotel. To meet the increased need for food, Haven Ministries opened a head- quarters with a food pantry that is open five days a week for

consistent, efficient and dignified food distribution. We were also invited into Sudlersville to serve in an area experiencing high food insecurity.  The homeless shelter which usually closes the end of April, has remained open throughout the year to meet the need in this extraordinary time. To date, 32 people have been served at the shelter hotel since March. The greatest change I have seen is the difficulty of raising funds when all of our spring, summer and fall fundraisers have been canceled due to health and safety issues. Trying to raise all funds virtually is quite a challenge.

Have you witnessed something you thought was particularly outstanding that someone else did to help bring our community together?

I have witnessed the community agencies come together through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and other collaborations to tackle COVID related issues in Queen Anne’s County. It has been amazing to watch how we all come together to meet the challenges of this unique time in history. There are so many public servants and volunteers who, out of love and concern for others, do amazing things.

Can you share a story that particularly touched your heart while you were serving our community during COVID?

A young man came to one of our food distribution events after recently losing his job due to the COVID crisis. He couldn’t believe he was there; he said he never saw himself having to accept this kind of help. Although it was humbling, he shared that he was very grateful to be able to bring food home to his family. It is just one story, but it has been told over and over again this past year by different folks. It reminds me how important it is for the community to help those in need, but also to treat them with dignity and respect.

How has COVID affected you personally?

I think I have been too busy to reflect on it! Many years ago, I began starting each day early in the morning with a time of prayer and reading of scripture. This discipline helps me start each day prepared for whatever will come my way. This private time with God reminds me that He is in control, and I can trust Him. Because of this, I have not been personally worried during this time, but it has been difficult to watch the challenges facing my children (and other young people in our community). My daughter had the difficult decision of returning to school with the real possibility of being sent home early. My son missed out on many of his senior year activities

and now he is at boot camp to become a Marine… and we may not be able to watch him graduate. So while I am at peace, I am also saddened by this particular time we live in. I grieve for all who are hurting and who have lost so much. But I also have hope, because I know greater days are ahead. Haven Ministries is more important now than ever, and we think they truly embody what it means to be Shore Strong. As Krista said, raising funds during a pandemic is difficult and If you would like to help support Haven Ministries, you can go to www.haven-ministries.org to find the many ways that you can help.

HAVEN MINISTRIES was also recognized as an

‘Organization that Makes Our Community a Better Place’

‘Organization Exemplifying #ShoreStrong During COVID’

‘Volunteers with the Biggest Hearts’

They help others who are less fortunate in our community… They are dedicated to helping those in need… They bring volunteers together to help those in our community who are most in need…

OUR DAILY THREAD was also recognized as an

‘Organization that Makes Our Community a Better Place’

“Our Daily Thread is a great community service and wonderful place to shop and find deals.”

Spunkwear Donates a Portion of Mask Sales to Haven Ministries

Spunkwear, a local apparel company based on Kent Island, had to pivot its business last spring with the arrival of COVID-19. Sheilah Ruppert, the founder of Spunkwear, got creative and designed a new line of facemasks that are lightweight, offering breathability and comfort, but which are also fun and stylish. 

“When we turned our attention to making masks, I decided that we’d donate a portion of sales to Haven Ministries. I’ve always been impressed with the uplifting work they do and the dignified manner in which they serve our community” states Ruppert.

Over the summer, the sales of Spunkwear’s masks for men, women, and children, as well as neck gaiters, took off. The company gained recognition regionally and nationally and was even featured on the television show, “The View,” this past July. To date, Spunkwear has donated $18,490 to Haven Ministries.

Since March, Haven Ministries has seen an increased need for its programs and services throughout Queen Anne’s County. The Shelter has remained open throughout 2020 serving 52 people, including 12 children.  Over 3500 people in Queen Anne’s County have received 81,516 pounds of food and Haven Ministries has provided over $23,000 of financial assistance to its neighbors. As the winter months near, the organization is hoping that other local businesses will step up as business partners as Spunkwear has done.

“We can’t begin to thank Spunkwear for their generous support during this time. As we move into the fall and winter months, we will have a continued need for funds to support shelter, food, clothing, and resources for those challenged by COVID.  As residents of Queen Anne’s County continue to struggle with finding affordable housing, we will also require funds for housing assistance,” comments Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.

For further information about donating or becoming a Business Partner of Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call Krista Pettit at 410-739-4363.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Resource Center at Fisher Manor.

Haven Ministries Works with Community Partners to Expand Food Distribution in Northern Queen Anne’s County

Haven Ministries is partnering with The Judy Center/Queen Anne’s County Public Schools and Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center to expand its food distribution in northern Queen Anne’s County, specifically in the Sudlersville area.

The Judy Center, which is a Maryland Food Bank distribution partner, has been working with the Emergency Operations Committee in Queen Anne’s County during the pandemic to reach high food insecurity areas in the county with centralized food distribution at the Sudlersville Elementary and Middle Schools and Church Hill Elementary School. Haven Ministries was asked to join forces with partnering agencies and organizations in the northern portion of Queen Anne’s County to assist in the streamlining of food distribution services.  A pop-up drive-through food pantry at Sudlersville Park in August reached over 125 families with over 17,000 pounds of food.

“This has been a broad-based community effort. It has a lot of moving parts, but Haven Ministries has a smooth system to handle it all,” comments Elizabeth Miller, LCSW-C, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Program Coordinator. “As we move forward with this location, it will provide for more efficient, effective and equitable food distribution meeting the unmet needs of individuals and families in the northern part of the county.”

According to Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries, the organization is looking to create a more permanent food pantry in Sudlersville in the future to offer individuals greater food options and to minimize food waste.

Haven Ministries is also partnering with Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, helping families affected by COVID-19 and who are quarantined to stay at home and recover while food and supplies are delivered to them.

“Haven Ministries has been so generous with our families in Grasonville, Church Hill, Sudlersville, and Queenstown. Every need has been met – including food, diapers, and formula. They have even been supporting families with their utility and rent payments. These families have been so grateful,” states Victoria Gomez Lozano, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center.

She adds, “We couldn’t be more thankful for the support they are providing for these families.”

With increased demands for its food pantries and overall services in Queen Anne’s County, Haven Ministries relocated its food pantries from Stevensville and Centreville, along with its Centreville Resource Center, to a new Food Pantry/Resource Center at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown in July. By streamlining its services, the organization is creating a more centralized location to provide services, improving efficiencies for its clients, staff, and volunteers. At the new location, customers can select their own food items once a month and connect to much-needed resources in one location.

The Queenstown Center, including the food pantry and resource center, is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and one day a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Clients must register first by calling 410-827-7194. The Resource Center at the Fisher Manor Housing Development in Grasonville is open on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. The pop-up food pantries in Sudlersville are held monthly. For further information, visit haven-ministries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville, and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

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Haven Ministries Online Concert Series Funds Shelter, Food, and Financial Resources for Those in Need

Haven Ministries is hosting an online concert series with Macum Creek Concerts to raise funds for the growing need for services in Queen Anne’s County.  The Haven Ministries concerts will be broadcast live on Facebook Live on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. for the next few weeks.

Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries, comments, “COVID19 has impacted the revenue we usually get from our fundraisers, our Thrift Shop, and Hope Warehouse – all of which have either been canceled, postponed or closed. This revenue would typically fund our services to those in need in the county. To meet this need, we decided to get creative with a concert series where people can donate while listening to some amazing singer-songwriters and their donations will be matched by a generous anonymous donor.”

“This is a great way to enjoy quality entertainment while helping a local charity, from the comfort of your living room,” she adds.

The first concert in the series on April 30 at 7 p.m. will feature Nora Jane Struthers, a nationally-known touring artist from Nashville, TN. Struthers is an Americana, singer/songwriter who sings Appalachian bluegrass and country music. She has headlined at The Soundry (Columbia MD), Freeman Stage (Milford, DE), Gypsy Sally’s (Washington DC), Kennedy Center Millennial Stage, as well as dozens of other venues, festivals and house concerts across the US. She has released seven records, the most recent, “Bright Lights, Long Drives, First Words,” was released in 2019.

According to NPR Music, “Fans of Dixie Chicks, Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton, take notice: Nora Jane Struthers embodies everything you could want in an Americana singer-songwriter.”

The Concert Series continues on May 7 and May 14 with some other nationally-known Nashville Americana folk artists. The idea originated with Kent Island residents Dave and Kathy Airel who run Macum Creek Concerts. The two who share a love of music have been holding “house concerts” in their homes for several years and decided to use them to help the community.

Dave Airel comments, “We started having house concerts as a hobby because we just wanted to have music in our home, and because we wanted to help these up and coming artists from Nashville and Austin broaden their audience in the Delmarva region.”

According to Airel, after getting to know Krista and her husband Chris, the Pettit’s suggested the idea of offering the concerts as a way to help Haven Ministries. According to Airel, this is just one of the creative solutions coming out of COVID-19 which can help nonprofits. It is also a way to get new listeners for some of the artists by seeking out live performances, including at house concerts like Macum Creek Concerts.

During this health crisis, Haven Ministries essential services remain open including its homeless shelter, food pantries, and financial resources. Pettit points out that it costs $85 per day to house two people with shelter and food. Haven Ministries Shelter continues to house men, women, and children even though in normal times the Shelter would close in April. Per recommendations from HUD and CDC, Haven Ministries is hoping to increase its shelter services into the summer but is seeking donations to make this possible.

To date, 273 people attended both food pantries held in March, which included 100 new people. A total of 857 people in households received food, including 315 children, 438 adults, and 104 seniors. In addition, over 20 bags of food are distributed weekly.  The number of food requests is increasing daily.

To learn more about supporting Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries. There may be a special guest appearance on the Haven Ministries Concert Series.  Check the Haven Ministries Facebook Page havenministriesshelter often for any additions to the schedule. For further information about upcoming shows, visit Haven Ministries Facebook page or Macum Creek Concerts at macumcreekconcerts.com.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville and at Fisher Manor in Grasonville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.