This holiday season, you helped to give your neighbors in need the gift of hope. Your impact supported 51 of our neighbors, providing them with safe shelter and transitional housing. Your generosity goes beyond just offering a roof over their heads, you’re giving them the opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness.

Scroll down to read what YOU made possible at TIS in December!

TIS Executive Director, Julie Lowe, shares her gratitude for the TIS community's generosity throughout the year, and encourages supporters to talk about and advocate for TIS whenever and wherever they can. As we approach the New Year with exciting developments and promising expansion plans, Julie reminds us of the power of simply sharing a story with a friend, loved one, or neighbor.

Our guests are thriving in the S4 Program, thanks to YOU!

As for programming, adult guests are now in the third week of our Job Readiness Class, which will continue into the New Year after the holidays. This class builds on the practical, real world skills that guests learned in the recently completed Financial Literacy Class, and provides resources that will help them to be successful and contribute meaningfully as employees while they gain work experience.

Bob Burns from Grace Street Recovery visited Evelyn's Place and introduced the organization to our guests. He shared with them the support and resources that Grace Street makes available to our community members, having opened August 1, 2023 as the Midshore’s sole recovery community organization (RCO). Grace Street is led by people with direct lived experience with substance use challenges and recovery, who help reduce overdose deaths by filling gaps in services with peer-based, non-clinical supports, and their mission is to save lives and foster healing for anyone affected by substance use disorder.

One of our couples at Easton's Promise who have three children made great progress this month, with mom gaining employment as a CNA while working on her GED, and dad securing a job at Harris Teeter. Meanwhile, we are happy to note that LaToya and her son are both thriving; she is working two jobs (at Benedictine and as an in-home caregiver), and her son (10th grade) recently transferred schools and loves his new school. In partnership with BAAM, LaToya and her son also received donations of new furniture for their apartment this month!

As for our mother-daughter duos in transitional apartments, Jackie and her daughter are continuing to save money for independent housing while working locally, and Jasmine and her daughter are doing very well as she continues to work at Corsica Hills and attend school for Psychology + Counseling.

Thank you for making all of these successes and learning opportunities possible for our guests at TIS.

TIS Holiday Appeal 2024

This year, we’re thrilled to announce a $60,000 match opportunity for funds raised during our end of year appeal! Every dollar donated will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of our matching donors, who wish to remain anonymous.

Be sure to check your mailboxes for our Holiday Appeal! Inside, you’ll find stories of transformation and hope that your support makes possible.

This is your chance to make twice the impact in helping local families and individuals find shelter, support, and hope. Your contributions allow us to provide the resources our neighbors need to work toward self-sufficiency.

And an extra special THANK YOU to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped stuff, stamp, and prepare the thousands of envelopes mailed in December!

The Country School HOHO Program

"Helping Others, Helping Ourselves"

December marked the return of a wonderful partnership between The Country School and TIS! With their teacher's guidance, Tara Mildenberger's 6th-grade advisory students and parents collected an impressive amount of supplies for the shelter on the Amazon Current Needs list. Not only did the HOHO students shower the shelters with basic necessities like diapers, paper towels, and cleaning supplies, they also teamed up with 1st-grade students who handmade Christmas ornaments and holiday cards for our shelter guests. Special thanks to teacher Brittany Medford for helping to organize these wonderful student projects that bring so much joy to our TIS community.



We need YOU!

Join us in impacting our community by volunteering at Talbot Interfaith Shelter in Easton, Maryland. By dedicating just one day a month of your time, you could contribute to meal preparation, accepting donations, and answering the phone and doors while our team is hard at work. Volunteering with us is a rewarding experience and a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility and community support.

Our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, Jesse Johnson, will be delighted to provide information regarding upcoming volunteer opportunities and other helpful details. To get involved, visit talbotinterfaithshelter.org, call 410-690-3120 or click the "Email Jesse" button above. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to create positive change throughout our community!

Read more about TIS's volunteer program and opportunities in Bonna Nelson's December Tidewater Times article:

December ushered in a time for fellowship and celebration, and we are happy to report that Team TIS has enjoyed a lovely holiday season! We kicked off the month with the Sedlack Society Appreciation Celebration at the Tidewater Inn's Crystal Room on December 5th. This annual tradition, graciously hosted and catered by the Tidewater's staff, marks a special evening of gratitude where our most generous donors gather together in one room. We were thrilled to have Evelyn Sedlack, TIS co-founder, in attendance this year!

With the return of the Adopt-A-Family program, many wonderful community members stepped up to make the holidays special for our shelter families, individuals, and transitional housing guests. Special thanks to Talbot Hospice, and Lisa and her group from the Easton Elks Lodge #1622, for "adopting" our larger families. TIS Board Member Craig Postelwait dropped off gingerbread houses, Ildi Watkins and Patty MacDonald from the Talbot County Garden Club brightened up our shelter doors with beautiful handmade wreaths, and Barbara Weingarden, Lucy Miziolek, and Keli Davin of Easton Village donated a whopping $1675 worth of gift cards to our guests - thank you!

Ms. Norene Wilson visited the shelter as a new member and ambassador of the American Legion Post #77 here in Talbot County. Ms. Wilson shared her passion to work with homeless veterans, and has committed ongoing support to veteran guests at TIS. She was joined by Terrance McNeil, Weldon Brown Jr, and Wayne Anthony Jr of the Basilius of Iota Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, who collected and donated childrens' and mens' coats to keep guests warm. Rosie from Polaris Village Academy delivered socks of all sizes collected by her 1st-3rd graders.

TIS' maintenance dream team, Will and Jesse, strung up holiday lights and brought a festive spirit to Evelyn's Place and Easton's Promise. They delivered countless presents to families and individuals in our transitional apartments, and prepared a vacant apartment for guests to move to in the coming weeks.

Take a look at the slide show below to see our Team TIS highlights from the month of December!



This holiday season, Talbot Interfaith Shelter's Operation Gift Drop brought the magic of Christmas to life for our guests—singles, families, and those in our transitional housing program. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, neighbors, and local organizations, gifts were thoughtfully purchased, beautifully wrapped, and lovingly delivered to brighten the holidays for everyone we serve.

Your kindness and dedication ensured that each person felt the warmth and joy of the season, reminding them that they are not alone and deeply cared for. From all of us at TIS, thank you for making this Christmas truly special!

Interested in joining Operation Gift Drop in 2025?



Please contact Lisa Niles, Director of Operations:

E-mail: lisaniles@talbotinterfaithshelter.org

Phone: 410-253-5414



TIS IN THE PRESS:

A Spotlight on Our Impact and Growth

We're excited to share that TIS continues to garner attention for our innovative approach and dedication to the communities we serve! Recently, we had the honor of being featured in a segment on WBOC News, a local TV station that highlighted our work and the strides we’re making in our field.

In the segment, Julie Lowe discussed our mission, recent projects, and how we're expanding our reach to make a meaningful difference. It was an incredible opportunity to share our story with a wider audience and highlight the hard work of our staff and partners.

Check out the full TV segment on WBOC here for more insights into our work and how we are continuing to grow and serve with purpose:

Watch the WBOC Segment

Stay tuned as we continue to make news—there’s much more to come!

By becoming a TIS Promise Keeper, your recurring support provides stable, predictable funding, which helps ensure that our guests receive uninterrupted services 365 days a year. We are so fortunate to partner with our recurring donors in the fight against homelessness in our community!

We would be so grateful for your help stocking up on the following items:

** items are high-priority needs

These and other items can be found on our Amazon Wish List by clicking the button below. Please include your name on the Amazon order so that we can thank you for your generosity!

Donations can be dropped off or shipped to the address below:

Talbot Interfaith Shelter

107 Goldsborough Street

Easton, MD 21601

Thank you SO MUCH for helping us to provide our guests with basic essentials!

Follow our Facebook page or check the donate page on our website for weekly updates on our most pressing needs each Wednesday.

Have you heard about our 2024-2025 Board of Directors? TIS is lucky to have these talented individuals as ambassadors for our mission to fight homelessness on the Mid-Shore. Each Board Member brings immense talent and dedication to their role, and we are so grateful for their selfless service and effort!

Peter Woicke (Board Chair)

Ross Benincasa (Vice Chair)

Lawrence Neviaser (Treasurer)

Ben Jensen (Secretary)

Ann Davis

Debra Kamsheh

Ingrid Diaz-Lopez

Charlene DeShields

Rudy Reyes-Delcid

Michele Dappert

Meghann Rauch

Jim Reed

Sharon VanEmburgh

Craig Postlewait

Lip Sync Battle 2025

Save the date! The wildest fundraising night of the year will be held on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at the Waterfowl Building in downtown Easton. Last year's battle raised $112,000+ to help fight homelessness on the Mid Shore, so start gathering your team and get ready to rock out!

Blue Heron Catering

Blue Heron Coffee

Eastern Shore TItle Co.

Scossa Restaurant

Shoreline Pest Solutions

Wawa