As many pantries are having to close their doors during this health crisis we want to ensure that all Marylanders have access to the food that they need. Below is a list of Maryland Food Bank partners in Worcester and Wicomico Counties who have confirmed open hours as of April 3rd. Please call the number listed, if there is one, to ensure that the agency is open and available to serve you. Pantries are constantly changing hours and we will do our best to keep this list as up to date as possible.

Worcester County

Sara's Pantry
11227 Racetrack Road, Berlin 21811
410-641-5433
Update 4/03/2020 - Still open Wednesday-Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. The thrift store is currently closed. Client referrals can be faxed or emailed.

Helping Hands Outreach Ministry
1101 Market St, Pocomoke MD 21851

UPDATE 4/06/2020 - Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10am-2pm
Currently drive thru pickups only  

Sonrise Church
10026 Main Street Berlin MD 21811
By appointment only. Call (410)629-1901 

Son'Spot Ministries
12 Worcester Street, Ocean City, MD Only providing carryout dinners and food bags every Thursday at 5pm. Bible study groups are currently canceled. 

Diakonia
12747 Old Bridge Road, Ocean City, MD
Open daily from 8am - 4pm
For information call 410-213-0923

Wicomico County

Union United Methodist
1203 Pine Street, Delmar, MD 21875
443- 735-7166
Call for assistance

Cross Pointe Nazarene
27765 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD 21801 Open March 25 by appointment

First Baptist Church of Fruitland
630 Clyde Ave., Fruitland, MD 21826 Open March 23 10:00 am- 1:00pm

Union first fruits food pantry
1211 pine street, Delmar,MD
Open March 19 11:00 am- 12:30 pm (while supplies last)

Below is a listing for local shelters that provide emergency housing.

Christian Shelter
334 Barclay Street, Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone: 410-749-5673

Samaritan Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 661, 814 4th
Street, Pocomoke, MD 21851
Phone: 410-957-4310

Diakonia, Inc.
12747 Old Bridge Road, Ocean City, MD 21842
Phone: 410-213-0923

HALO Shelter for Women and Children
Phone: 410-742-9356 call ahead, only available during cold months starting in January thru March

Life Crisis Center
Phone: 1-800-422-0009/410-749-HELP or call the Help Line 2-1-1 available 24hours a day 7 days a week
Life Crisis offers emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and families.

Ocean City's Cold Weather Shelter Opening is weather dependent temperatures dip to 25 degrees with wind chill. Sleet and snow may be taken into consideration.
10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Phone: 410-524-7474 (Registration required. MUST call each day to confirm if the Shelter will be open and reserve a spot for that night). 

Hands and Hearts Ending Homelessness (Male only shelter) Open from November - April
31525 John Deere Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone: 443-397-2243

We encourage businesses and governments to look at past pandemic flu planning and procedures to assure the plans are current, relevant and staff are aware. These plans can assist in the response to COVID-19 as the transmission is similar to the flu.
Assure continuity of operations/government plans are up to date to keep critical services in place.

Additional resources for businesses and employers to plan and respond to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) has surveillance in place for all reportable diseases including new infections or suspected cases of COVID-19. Medical facilities know what to report, how to report and how to reach us. We have provided current guidance documents from the state health department related to COVID-19 to these facilities.
WCHD has an on-call service available for 24/7 response to public health needs.
Systems are in place for rapid testing for any potential cases. Isolation and quarantine plans are in place if necessary.

We have planning experience with pandemic flu preparation including the robust public health response to H1N1.
Public health has access to additional resources that can include items needed for a response such as medical masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) and other health care needs if a health emergency is declared and if the Strategic National Stockpile is requested.

The following links include additional information and resources for emergency preparedness.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

Ready.gov

Center for Disease Control (CDC)


Individuals with Special Needs
 

WORCESTER COUNTY YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY 2013

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a national questionnaire used to survey health behaviors, such as bullying and harassment, suicide, overweight and obesity, physical activity, nutrition, sexual behavior, injury and violence, tobacco and alcohol use, and other drug use.

Click here to view the Worcester County Youth Risk Behavior Survey report, presented during a joint meeting between Health Department officials and the Board of Education. worcesterhealth.info/files/Youth risk behavior survey 2013.pdf

The full report, as well as state and county level data, are available at:
https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/ccdpc/Reports/Pages/yrbs.aspx

LGBTQ Support

Provides information on the Lower Shore Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Coalition.

If you or someone you know is a transgender/gender non-conforming individual in need of support, you can reach the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.

LGBT young people (ages 24 and younger) struggling with thoughts of suicide can contact the Trevor Project Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.

2018 Services Guide

Men's Cold Weather Shelter

Homeless Resource Guide
 
Tri-County Behavioral Health Resource Guide

Maryland Service Access and Information Link (SAIL)
SAIL helps match you to available programs and apply for those programs. A series of questions will help you decide which social services benefits you and members of your family may want to apply.

Maryland Health Connection
State of Maryland health insurance exchange.

Healthcare.gov
Healthcare.gov healps you find insurance options, get help using insurance, get updated on health care laws, access information on the quality of care you are receiving and learn about new preventative and wellness initiatives.

Medicaid.gov
Medicaid.gov helps you learn about each state's Medicaid and children's health insurance programs.

Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHIP)
The Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) gives full health benefits for children up to age 19, and pregnant women of any age who meet the income guidelines. 

Maryland Children's Health Program Premium (MCHP Premium)
Maryland Children's Health Insurance Premium Program gives full health benefits for income eligible children up to age 19 who do not qualify for the free MCHP program. By paying one low monthly premium per family, children et health care through HealthChoice.

Medical Assistance for Families Program
The Medical Assistance for Families Program provides full health benefits to parents and other family members caring for children. Eligibility depends on family size and income. 

Maryland Family Planning Program
Provides services to eligible women under 51 years old. The Family Planning Program offers a limited benefit package.

Children's Medical Services
Children's Medical Services is a program that can help low-income, uninsured or underinsured Maryland residents ages 0-21 to get specialty care for chronic illness or disability by providing payment for the needed services.

Maryland Waiver Programs
Waiver programs through Mediciaid is responsible for the implementation and ongoing administration of home and community-based services waivers and targeted case management programs for special population groups such as the elderly, the mentally ill and the physically and mentally disabled.

Maryland Insurance Administration
Can help you learn what types of insurance coverages are available at what cost and assist you if you have a complaint about how your insurance company response when you file a claim.

Worcester County Health Department ACCU/Ombudsman Program: 410-629-0164 
Provides outreach, education and care coordination activities to the Medical Assistance population as well as the uninsured and underinsured populations. The program insures that clients remain in care and that all populations have access to needed health care services, local resources and programs.