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Haven Ministries outlines shelter, food and housing services and funding shortfall
Summary
Haven Ministries told the commissioners it operates the county's only cold-weather emergency shelter, two longer-term Homes of Hope for women and children, and food pantries; the group reported a surge in demand and a budget shortfall for 2025.
Haven Ministries Executive Director Peter Grimm provided commissioners on June 10 with an overview of the nonprofit's programs and a request for continued county support, describing services for people experiencing hunger and homelessness across Queen Anne's County.
"Haven Ministries is a faith based organization whose staff and hundreds of volunteers are dedicated to fighting hunger and homelessness in our community," Grimm said, listing a cold-weather emergency shelter (operating October through April), Homes of Hope longer-term housing for women and children, street outreach, the Jacob Sloan Center (day services), and two food pantries that operate in Queenstown and Sellersville.
Grimm told the board that demand for food assistance has risen sharply: clients at the food pantries increased by 83% in the first four months of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. He said the organization's food-purchase budget for 2025 is $84,000 and that the group built an $80,000 deficit into its 2025 budget due to funding pressures. Grimm said the nonprofit raises funds through grants, donors, church partners and proceeds from two thrift stores and a furniture warehouse that fund programs.
Commissioners thanked Haven Ministries for its work and asked questions about shelter operations and program capacity. Grimm said the Homes of Hope program opened in February and provides longer-term stays (approximately two years in the model) to help residents gain employment and life skills; he estimated the homes have served about 20 people since opening. Grimm asked the county for continued partnership as the organization works to close its budget shortfall and meet increased community need.
