We’ve got your back, Kent County. 211 has resources throughout the area, including Chestertown, Kingstown, Fairlee, Tolchester Beach, Georgetown, Pomona, Woods Edge, Galena, Butlertown, Rock Hall, Golts and other nearby cities.
You can always call 2-1-1 for help locating essential health and human services near you. Calls are free and confidential.
We also have several Kent County resources in the categories below so you can find the help you need.
Emergency Bills
If you have an emergency expense and need help, the Good Neighbor Fund may be able to provide support. However, you have to go through a screening with the Kent County Department of Social Services (DSS) first. If DSS is unable to help, then you may be referred to the Good Neighbor Fund.
Funds vary by agency but grants are generally less than $200 each.
The grants can help with emergency expenses such as medical bills, prescriptions, utility bill, emergency housing like a motel room for a short time, eviction support, funeral expenses or a transportation ticket like a bus ticket.
Grants are only issued to a client once in a 12-month timeframe. Again, the first step is to contact DSS if you need emergency help paying a bill.
There may be other agencies or organizations that can help as well.
Utility Assistance
If you can't pay your utility bill, you can also look into utility assistance programs through the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) or another community organization. Learn more about the options for state utility assistance, eligibility requirements, and how to fill out the forms correctly, so your application is processed as quickly as possible.
The Kent County Department of Social Services in Chestertown can also help you fill out the OHEP application. Call 410-810-7716 or email Kent_OHEP@maryland.gov.
Find food
Food delivery is available for homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels and other services. Minary's Dream Alliance Feed the Elderly Initiative delivers food on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown also provides Meals on Wheels and other food programs. Contact the center for more information on their programs.
You can find other food-related resources on 211's main food page.
Kent County Food Pantries
Food support is also available for individuals and families through a network of Kent County food pantries.
If you're working with the Kent County Department of Social Services or another organization, they may determine eligibility for programs like the Kent County Food Pantry, which can provide non-perishable food for families on a limited income.
If you don't qualify, you may be eligible for another food pantry, 24/7 mini pantry or curbside distribution. These are located throughout Kent County and nearby Eastern Shore counties like Queen Anne's and Caroline. You can view all counties here.
Check with each food pantry to confirm the hours of operation, as they can change.
Quickly find food by clicking on the city near you.
Chestertown | Galena | Millington | Ridgely | Rock Hall | Worton
You can also look for food pantries and support throughout the Eastern Shore through the Maryland Food Bank.
If you're looking along the Mid Shore, you can look at food availability by the day or month on the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition food calendar.
Chestertown
Jane's Church Chestertown Blessing Box
Corner of Cannon and Cross Street
Look for the purple box in front of Jane's Church.
24/7 mini food pantry
Kent County Community Pantry
Corner of Mill and High Street
410-778-0550
Tuesday and Thursday | 10 a.m. - noon
Chestertown Seventh Day Adventist Church
305 North Kent Street
443-988-3886
Must be a MD Resident.
Tuesdays | 10 a.m. - noon
Galena
River Market Blessing Box
120 E. Cross Street
You can find the box in the front of the Galena Market.
24/7 mini food pantry
Millington
Millington-Crumpton Food Pantry
Asbury UM Church
392 Cypress Street
443-480-0053
This is a curbside distribution so you can wait in your car.
*Must be a MD resident and receiving assistance (ex. medical or energy assistance).
Mondays | 9 a.m. - noon
Ridgely
Martin's House and Barn
14374 Benedictine Lane
410-634-2537 Ext. 111
Learn more about Martin's House and Barn food pantry.
Curbside pick-up
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday | 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Wednesday 6-7:30 p.m.
Rock Hall
Hope Community Alliance
In front of The Rock Community Church
6528 Rock Hall Road
410-778-2703
Learn about Hope Community Alliance events.
Anyone in need of food or clothing.
Every Sunday | 3-5 p.m.
Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church
Corner of Sharp Street & Judefind Avenue
Free blessing bags are available with items donated from the church and Chestertown SDA Food Pantry.
Tuesday | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Worton
Mt. Olive AME Church
24840 Lambs Meadow Road
410-778-3328
Curbside/Mobile distribution so you can stay in your car. Food will be placed in your trunk.
*Must be a MD resident.
3rd Friday of the month | 12-3 p.m.
New Christian Chapel of Love Blessing Box
26826 Big Woods Road
You can find the food pantry box in the front of the church hall.
24/7 mini food pantry
Transportation
Are you looking for transportation in and around Kent County? Delmarva Community Transit (DCT) launched KentCountyRides.com to connect residents with bus routes and schedules. There is also information about Dial-a-Ride.
In addition to the scheduled routes, seniors over 60 years of age and individuals with disabilities, can request door-to-door service with 24 hours notice through Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST).
Medical Help
The Kent County Health Department can help residents with physical and mental health support. They have a behavioral health clinic in Chestertown that helps with mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use.
The Health Department can help support families needing routine vaccines and screenings. View a full list of health related services available from the Health Department.
Throughout the Mid Shore region, 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes. Yet, 80% of people don't know this. The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition has a quick diabetes test that you can take online to determine if you are at risk. Take the quiz.
You can also get connected to health-related events throughout the area by checking the calendar of events from the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition.
Mental Health Support
If you have an immediate mental health or substance use need, dial or text 988.
You can also search for behavioral health resources.
If you’re looking for behavioral health services in Kent County, Mid Shore Behavioral Health has an updated resource guide.
Family Violence
If you do not feel safe at home or are experiencing domestic violence, you can call the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence. They can help with crisis intervention, emergency shelter, safety planning, pet safety, emotional support, counseling and guidance, legal services, and they can help you find support.
You can speak with someone 24/7 by calling 1-800-927-4673 (HOPE) or by connecting with Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence through another communication channel like online chat, email, or social media.
Legal Support
Do you need help with a legal issue? Mid-Shore Pro Bono provides legal assistance on the Eastern Shore. The network of volunteer attorneys can help with many legal issues. They can help with divorce, foreclosure, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant disputes and others, but they do not take all cases.
They can't help in emergency situations, so contact Mid-Shore Pro Bono as soon as possible especially if you have a hearing or trial scheduled.
- To get started, first, check if Mid-Shore Pro Bono's network of attorneys handles your type of legal case.
- Then, you can fill out an application. The form is in English. If you speak Spanish, call 443-298-9425.
- Next, a member of their staff will contact you to complete the screening process and determine eligibility.
The legal services are free. There is a non-refundable $25 processing fee. For those who can't afford it, you can ask in writing to have it waived.
You can also learn more about your legal rights in certain disputes like landlord/tenant issues, and find legal support throughout Maryland.
Mediation
Sometimes conflicts can be resolved through mediation. It's a type of dispute resolution with neutral mediators who help all sides find a solution. It can be used to avoid legal fees and action. If you don't reach an agreement, you can still pursue legal action.
Mid Shore Mediation and Community Mediation Upper Shore provide free mediation services for disputes between two or more individuals. The services are voluntary and non-judgmental.
Community Mediation Upper Shore can also help in most situations, including these types of conflicts and disputes: landlord/tenant, neighbor/neighbor, roommates, family, work, business/customer, friend and a dispute with a community association/group.
Mid Shore Community Mediation Center can help in a number of disputes and situations involving elder care, employment/business disputes, small claims cases, parent-teen discussions, parenting plan/custody agreements, family/wedding planning and more. Mid Shore mediations take place at a time and place that's convenient for both parties. They have locations across Dorchester, Talbot and Caroline counties.
In addition to resolving the dispute, mediation can also help repair relationships.
Veteran and military support
In addition to helping those in need after a disaster, the Red Cross of Delmarva helps veterans, military members and their families in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties in Maryland.
The Red Cross has a long-standing support system to help manage the challenges of service. The organization can help before and during deployments, in the event of an emergency and can also connect military members and veterans to community support.
The American Red Cross has military financial assistance programs, helps veterans with claims for benefits and appeals, and can communicate with military members if there's an emergency at home.
If you're a veteran and need additional help, you can learn about veteran support programs throughout Maryland.
Kent County resources
Learn about What's the 211, Hon? - a grassroots effort to increase awareness of how 211 can help Kent County residents find local health and human service resources. 211 is available 24/7/365.
You can also get text message updates with Mid Shore health resources. Sign up by texting MidShore to 898-211.
