Donate Food

Benfield Elementary School added a fourth "R" to its curriculum of readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic yesterday. Relief.About 375 students at the Severna Park school made bag lunches for the homeless and donated them to Helping Hand Inc. in Annapolis."

The manager of Carroll County's largest food bank is trying to deal with declining cash donations while expecting an increase in demand as the result of proposed cuts in federal food programs.So Tom Canon, manager for Carroll County Food Sunday, invited his congressman, Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, to tour the organization's Westminster collection and distribution center yesterday in hopes of attracting some support.But he didn't get promises of funds."Your organization is filling the gap and all without government money," Mr. Bartlett, a 6th District Republican, said.

Post offices in Howard County are extending their annual food drive, hoping to bolster one of the lowest yields since the postal service began its effort to help the needy.As of early Friday, donations throughout Howard County for the statewide Harvest for the Hungry campaign -- which collects nonperishable food for county and state food banks -- reached about 9,500 pounds since the drive began March 17. That's only a third of what the county usually donates each year.The campaign was supposed to end yesterday, according to a statewide schedule.

Martin's Food Markets are asking shoppers to buy a little extra for the county's hungry.The grocery chain with outlets in Eldersburg and Westminster launched a food drive last week to fill the shelves at Carroll County Food Sunday, a 13-year-old organization that distributes the food to those with the greatest need."

People who wish to donate food to Bea Gaddy's annual Thanksgiving dinner can do so this week at selected transit stops.The Mass Transit Administration is accepting nonperishable items through Monday at all Metro stations and at two Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) stops -- Odenton and Pennsylvania Station.An MTA bus located at the Giant Food parking lot at Perring Parkway and Loch Raven Boulevard also will be taking donations through the weekend, from 7 a.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Monday.

The anonymous good Samaritans keep calling, bringing cash and carloads of food to help the Rev. Dennis Hancock keep open the pantry he runs in a building next to his Brooklyn church.A week ago, the Brooklyn Church of the Nazarene's pantry faced having to scale back its operations, and possibly closing its doors.Except for a few cans of green beans, corn and sauerkraut, the shelves were bare. There was no meat, no turkeys for Thanksgiving baskets. A $2,000 bill for utilities and food bought on credit waited to be paid.

The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County is experiencing a serious shortage of food for the women and children seeking safety in its five shelters. Food, money and grocery store gift certificates are needed.Especially needed are chicken, ground beef, pasta and sauce, hot dogs, lunch meats, sliced cheese, cereal, canned soups and vegetables, frozen orange juice, disposable diapers (large) and dessert mixes.Information: 997-0304.POLICE LOG* Long Reach: 6400 block of Waterloo Road: Someone destroyed a home's mailbox early last week.

The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a food basket drive for needy families in the Elkridge area. The department is asking residents to donate food to help defray the costs of about 30 baskets.Items needed are canned gravy, dressing mix, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, green beans, canned sweet potatoes or yams, other vegetables and juices.Drop off nonperishables at the fire station, 6275 Old Washington Road, Elkridge.To donate a turkey, margarine and frozen pies, call Capt. Joe Slavotinek at 796-1624 or the station at 313-4901.

ZAGREB, Croatia -- International compassion for the people of Bosnia may be reaching its financial limit.Whether disgusted by the war's ugliness or exhausted by its longevity, donors didn't fulfill the last call for pledges by the United Nations, a rare failure that could signal aid cutbacks down the road, officials say."We're way below where we would like to be on food, and this is a situation we've been warning people about since December and January," said Robert Morton, the United Nations' emergency food coordinator for the former Yugoslavia.

If you can't make it to Atlantic City this weekend, don't panic. A bit of the home of glitz is coming to Severna Park with the Chamber of Commerce's first-ever Casino Night.The lure of glamour shines in the first prize of the jewelry raffle -- a $2,000 diamond cluster ring from Parisi's.At The Columbian Center on Ritchie Highway, gamblers will find wheels, auctions and other raffles. Dancers can boogie with TC '50s and '60s band. For local enologists, the evening will include a tasting of summer party wines.