United Way NCA Delivers Cold Weather, School Supply Kits to Southern Maryland Partners
This month United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) delivered hundreds of cold–weather kits and school supplies to partners across Southern Maryland.
The deliveries come as United Way NCA is expanding its community impact and services to the region. United Way NCA announced in February a merger with United Way of Southern Maryland, expanding our reach to Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
“We’re here to stay, but we’re approaching it with humility. United Way of the National Capital Area realizes we have a lot to learn about Southern Maryland, but also a lot of resources to bring to the table,” United Way NCA Community Impact and Fundraising Associate Conner Wolfe said. “We’re here and ready to learn from our partners and the communities they serve.”
The cold–weather kits, equipped with hats, gloves, socks, and personal hygiene items were delivered to Health Partners Inc. in Waldorf and St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen in Great Mills.
“I don’t think you can put a value on kindness and what (United Way NCA) has created is just that. It could be somebody needs a message—just a sign that they’re worth it, they’re enough,” Health Partners Executive Director Chrisie Mulcahey said. “I think (United Way NCA) will bring in more information and education to our community so they understand the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population and the importance of the nonprofits in the community.”
The ALICE population represents 718,709 low- and moderate-income households (32.5%) in our region who are earning above the federal poverty line ($31,200 annually for a family of four in 2024), but still cannot afford basic necessities.
Health Partners, Inc. is a nonprofit medical and dental clinic on Crain Highway in Waldorf. St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen is the only full-time soup kitchen in Southern Maryland, located on Point Lookout Road in Great Mills.
United Way NCA delivered boxes of school supplies to St. Mary’s County Public Schools and Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maryland’s Carver Recreation Center location, which recently opened in September.
“These kids, they love the donations they receive from the community,” Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maryland Club Director Jayla Kyles said. “I’m just excited about United Way being down here in the community, being able to help the Lexington Park community more.”
Part of our Southern Maryland engagement included hosting partners at the Aug. 28 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game at Regency Furniture Stadium, where United Way NCA leadership laid out its work and vision for the region.
