Dear friends. We hope you are healthy and safe, and hanging in there.

As you may know from last month's newsletter, RTB staff members have been working remotely since mid-March due to COVID-19 safety concerns. All in-person repair projects have been postponed until further notice. Many of our staff members have pivoted to COVID-19 relief and have been active in the community, helping to address the needs caused by the virus and its economic consequences. Staff have been volunteering their time at food banks - delivering groceries, leading shifts of other volunteers, and answering phones. We've been using our big red van to help facilitate grocery deliveries from local organizations to vulnerable neighbors stuck at home.

This month, our newsletter features statements from staff about the work they've been doing, the impact it's had, and their reflections on volunteering to help the community face this public health crisis.
TODAY is #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity. You can support the important work that our team members are doing in the community now and support our return to home repair and volunteer activities when it is safe to do so. Please consider making a secure donation by clicking here . Donations of $500 or more might qualify for our Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program. Click here for more information about CITC. Thank you for your support!
Kristin Maller
Operations Manager

Since the Social Distancing guidelines took effect, I have been volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank warehouse. I’ve packed boxes of shelf stable food that will be distributed to community food banks and given to people in need. I’ve also sorted donations that the food bank has received from individuals and grocery stores, which include a variety of items such as packaged food, toilet paper, baby formula, diapers, toiletries, over the counter medication, and baby toys. These items are also sent to local community food programs to be distributed to those in need.

Today will be my first shift volunteering with GEDCO CARES, a food distribution program. GEDCO CARES serves Greater Govans, which is our target neighborhood and also where our office is located. In 2017, RTB completed repairs and upgrades to the GEDCO CARES Career Connection offices. You can read about that project here . Starting today, I will be delivering groceries to seniors in the Govans area who normally visit the CARES food pantry. I have a couple former RTB clients on my delivery routes. I'm thrilled to be working with GEDCO CARES again!
Christian Hall
Repair and Renovation Manager 

Since the beginning of April, I've been volunteering at both the Maryland Food Bank and with Civic Works. For the Food Bank, I've worked in the kitchen packaging meals for youth programs and in the warehouse packing food boxes for distribution. Twice a week, I use "Big Red" (RTB's construction van) to deliver no-contact groceries, provided by Civic Works and Real Food Farm, to seniors all across Baltimore City. Finally, I've been working with a national Rebuilding Together work-group to develop strategies and best practices that will ensure Rebuilding Together will be ready to continue providing impactful repairs as soon as it's safe to do so. 

It's been really wonderful to see the number of individuals, associations, and organizations that have stepped up during the pandemic. Whether its the furloughed Physicians Assistant I met volunteering to package meals or entire organizations that have pivoted to new work, everyone is chipping in to fill a need. I know there would be a lot more people in this city struggling without the extra support .
Ali Willoughby
AmeriCorps Project Coordinator

I’ve been volunteering every weekday at the Maryland Food Bank. On Mondays, I help with the SNAP program, making calls to schedule appointments for people looking for assistance with their application. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I volunteer all day at the Maryland Food Bank.

As a volunteer shift leader I check in volunteers, give the volunteer orientation presentation, and occasionally help answer calls at the front desk. I also work in the warehouse with the volunteers sorting donated items. On Fridays, I help in the temperature controlled room sorting frozen foods.

I love working at the food bank, I’ve met so many kind-hearted people there!
Julia McAleer
AmeriCorps Community
Partner Coordinator

I have been serving as a volunteer at a couple different local organizations to help out with the growing need for food in the community. In addition to locally-organized food distributions, such as in the Turner Station neighborhood of Southeast Baltimore County, I'm volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank as a front desk volunteer and with CivicWorks as a grocery delivery driver.

It's been difficult at times to grapple with the depth of the need for basic food assistance in the area - many of our neighbors are struggling and it's very troubling. However, I'm glad to serve in this capacity to help address the problem even in a small way. It feels good to know that every delivery means someone will have the food they need to help them get through this.
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Rebuilding Together Baltimore 
phone: 410-889-2710 | fax: 443-586-0785