CEFM Network

Alice March, a generous woman hoping to give back to the Catonsville community, was an active member of her church. She became aware of a large number of people in need. In 1984, she began helping these people and families from the basement of her home in Catonsville. Prior to that time, persons in distress would go from church to church seeking food, shelter, and any other assistance they could get. Churches had limited resources and there were very few charities to refer people. Many ministers simply reached into their own pockets and gave money.

Eventually, people started coming to Alice’s back door. She had collected food through church food drives and the Catonsville Emergency Food Network was formed. Its mission gradually expanded until seventeen churches became involved in the mission. Operations moved to the Old Catonsville Elementary School (now Banneker Center) around 1986, and the name was officially incorporated as Catonsville Emergency Food Ministries, Inc. (CEFM). In 1988, the CEFM applied for and was granted 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service. Soon after, CEFM moved to the Old Catonsville High School (now Bloomsbury Community Center). When renovations began at the old high school, CEFM was forced to relocate, finally settling in a small room at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Johnny Cake Road.

The Rotary Club of Catonsville Sunrise entered into a partnership with the CEFM Network in 2003. The purpose of the partnership was to allow the CEFM Network access to the professional services, such as CPAs, attorneys, and other experts who were members of the Rotary Club. Through the Rotary Club’s assistance, CEFM Network changed its’ procedures to comply with present day financial and legal practices. New by-laws were adopted and modern business practices, such as budgeting and financial controls, were implemented. The Rotary Club also agreed to raise money for the CEFM Network, and these funds have been paid to CEFM Network in a series of specific grants. Next, the CEFM Network moved to a larger location at #1 Newburg Avenue in 2004.

However, it soon became apparent that still more space was required. A search for a better, permanent space was started. Catonsville has limited developed land available. Properties that were for sale quickly were sold, and at extremely high prices. In 2005, the property located at 25 Bloomsbury became available. Situated in an ideal location, the small building was located on an attractive lot. The property was purchased by an anonymous benefactor who agreed to lease the property to the Rotary Club of Catonsville Sunrise Charitable Foundation (RCCSCF). RCCSCF entered into a capital lease with the benefactor and the CEFM Network entered into a mirror capital lease with the RCCSCF. The purpose of these leases was to remove the property from the market and allow the CEFM Network sufficient time to obtain grants to acquire the property as a permanent location. The property will allow an addition of about 1500 square feet to be built. The need for more space continues to this day.

In August of 2006, the CEFM Network moved into 25 Bloomsbury Avenue. Currently, we are constructing a new addition. Once completed, we will move into the new addition and have the original building renovated.

Today, the CEFM Network is located at 25 Bloomsbury Avenue. This small, two story federal-style house was purchased through a $275,000 grant provided by the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation and with the assistance of an anonymous donor.

The CEFM Network’s main priority is to extend full-time status with benefits to the executive director and to obtain a full-time administrator, a part-time director of volunteers, and a full or part-time development director.

• John K. Monck
  Executive Director
  
• Richard Hiteshew
  President
  Registered Investment Advisor
  
• Dawn Olenski
  Vice President
  
• Larry Haynes
  Treasurer
  Certified Public Accountant
  
• Brent Tolbert-Smith
  Secretary
  Attorney
  

• Eugene Cashour
  Teacher, Mount De Sales Academy
  
• Mary Cashour
  Retired, Baltimore County Public School System
  
• Robert Denison
  Retired, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
  
• Lauren Epple
  Time Management Specialist, Northrop Gruman
  
• John Galley
  Principal, JWG Consulting, LLC
  
• Carolyn Kilgore
  Director of Development,
  Mosaic Community Services
  
• Richard I. Martel, Jr.
  Attorney at Law
  
• Ray Persinger
  Principal, Ray Persinger Photography
  
• Jerry Pilcher
  Technical Sales Manager,
  Action Systems Inc.
  
• Karen Roberts
  Certified Massage Therapist & Principal,
  Creating Energy and Vibrant Health
  
• Patricia Smidt
  Public Health Nurse,
  Baltimore County Health Department
  
• Nicole Sroka
  Supply Chain Specialist,
  Dryers Ice Cream Company
  
• Edward Tolzman
  Retired, Business Owner
  
• Stephen Sroka
  Principle, Akors Services