Story Category: The Bay Net Exclusives »

The 18th annual United Way of Calvert County Day of Caring put some 250 volunteers to work Wednesday, Sept. 12 on over 30 projects. One of the new projects gave local fifth-graders a chance to work on a local farm.

The farm project was a collaboration between Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Farming 4 Hunger. Both agencies are regional and in fact, the volunteers crossed the Patuxent River to Serenity Farm in Benedict for a day of harvesting green beans and potatoes. The students were from Barstow Elementary School. They were joined by adult volunteers from Constellation Energy Nuclear Group’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Community Bank of Tri-County, ARC of Southern Maryland, SJ Johnson Propane & Fuel Oil and Calvert County Government.

Farming 4 Hunger is a nonprofit project founded by Bernie Fowler Jr. which harvests and distributes local produce for distribution to Southern Maryland families in need. The work is done by volunteers from service organizations, church groups, detention center work release inmates, school groups and any individual who wants to give back to the community.

Helping feed area families was also the aim of five separate projects at the Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry. There, volunteers did yard work, off-loaded a delivery truck, broke down bulk foods into smaller quantities, cleaned the facility’s office and helped prepare microwavable meals.

Day of Caring is the local United Way’s annual effort to celebrate volunteerism, promote year ‘round caring and raise awareness about the needs within the community.

For more information about United Way of Calvert County visit www.unitedwaycalvert.org.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com