On April 2, 1990, the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) opened its doors to local area families in crisis. SPAN was formed because of the concern on the part of the ministers in the Severna Park area with regard to the growing demand for emergency help, the need to identify the people seeking help, and a process to help those people in a dignified and expeditious manner. Before that, those needing assistance would be forced to go from church to church. SPAN enabled them to find that same resource in one place. Since 1990, SPAN has been serving our neighbors to help them through a critical or emergency situation such as utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, and prescription/medical needs and food. SPAN’s primary service areas include: Severna Park, Millersville, Arnold, and the Broadneck Peninsula. (Only residents of SPAN’s primary service area are eligible for food). SPAN’s secondary service area includes the surrounding communities of Crofton, Crownsville, Odenton, Gambrills, (requires referral Crofton Christian Caring Council), Pasadena and Glen Burnie (requires referral from NCEON), Linthicum, and Severn.