Martin's House & Barn

06/11/2026

Federalsburg Better Together is doing amazing work. Follow them and share.

📚✨ LEARNING. LEADING. BUILDING MOMENTUM. ✨📚

Today, Federalsburg Better Together (FBT) was proudly represented at the ENOUGH Learning Community alongside communities from across Maryland working to create brighter futures for children, families, and neighborhoods.

A special moment came when Governor Wes Moore gave a shout-out to Federalsburg Better Together, recognizing the work happening right here in our community. It was a reminder that the efforts of residents, partners, volunteers, and organizations are being noticed far beyond our town limits.

Representing FBT today were:
🔹 Nicole Fisher
🔹 Deborah Hudson Vornbrock
🔹 Tammy Duff
🔹 Maggie McConnell

This recognition isn't the finish line—it's motivation to keep moving forward. Every conversation, partnership, community event, and opportunity we create helps build a stronger Federalsburg for everyone.

The momentum is growing, the connections are expanding, and the possibilities are endless when a community comes together around a shared vision.

Let's keep learning. Let's keep collaborating. Let's keep building. Let's keep the momentum going.

Because the future of Federalsburg isn't something we wait for—it's something we create together. 💜

06/11/2026

Proud to be attending the ENOUGH Learning Community with a team from Federalsburg Better Together.

Maryland’s ENOUGH Initiative, championed by Governor Wes Moore, is a community-driven effort to reduce concentrated childhood poverty by investing in the people and neighborhoods most affected. We’re excited to learn alongside communities from across the state, share ideas, and bring new insights back to Federalsburg as we continue building opportunities for children and families to thrive.

04/30/2026

In need of furniture but short on cash?
Did you know the Barn at has a plethora of great furniture and sales at the Thrift Shop and Barn help to fund the food pantry and shelter? It's really a win / win!

The Barn is open during the Saturday Sales on the first Saturday of the month, which is THIS SATURDAY so you're in luck!
Come to Ridgely MD to visit us on Sat May 2, from 8am until noon to shop some great finds in the Thrift Shop and Barn.
Got stuff to donate? Bring it when you come to shop!
Your donation supports a great cause and is immensely appreciated 💕 🙏🏼

14374 Benedictine Lane
Ridgely, MD 21660

04/05/2026

The Easter Bunny came to Martin’s House!

04/04/2026

Happy Easter!
The thrift shop and barn are open today until noon, come see us!
14374 Benedictine Ln Ridgely, MD

03/19/2026

Martin’s House & Barn Thrift Store will be closed tomorrow due to damage from the tornado. The food pantry will be open for distribution.

03/17/2026

Honoring 20 Years Of Service
Odette Boyce-Galvez is a lifelong Caroline County resident driven by her passion for service and fostering community. She has dedicated more than two and half decades connecting vulnerable members of
the community to needed resources, with a focus on fighting and dismantling the hunger epidemic.

“It is important work due to our food insecurity in Caroline County,” says Odette. “No one should go
to bed hungry.”

Odette was born in Ridgley, Md. and graduated from North Caroline County High School before attending Fleet Business School in Annapolis. Her service career began as an Interviewer for Caroline County Energy Assistance at the Department of Social Services,
where she worked with applicants for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and performed extensive outreach to migrant workers applying for food stamps.

Odette then transitioned to the Caroline County Family Support Center, where she was a Family Advocate from 1996 to 2006. She spent this time providing direct service and assistance to families in need of early childhood resources, guaranteeing that children received enriching early childhood education experiences. Sister Patricia hired Odette in 2006 to be the Manager of Saint Martin’s Barn Food Pantry and Thrift Store.

As Barn Manager, she oversees all daily operations, which is no small feat. Odette manages all food donations, storage, and distribution to ensure Martin’s House & Barn’s client needs are being met with compassion, consistency, and ease.

Odette also coordinates volunteer logistics and guides employees in completing their daily tasks, while also managing the Thrift Store. Odette helps to secure resources needed by local families who are working to survive with very low incomes.

She finds joy in helping people and making sure the community knows Martin’s House & Barn is here to help. Her commitment to this work is driven by the small moments of connection and support she is able to provide for others.

For Odette, these connections are made when providing free diapers to a single mom struggling to make ends meet; taking the time to have a conversation with a senior who lives alone and needs someone to talk to; giving a free coat to a child who walks into the Thrift Store without one already on their back; and, of course, distributing food to families in need.

“The smile on their face when they receive their food cart is priceless,” she says.

In addition to her work as Director, Odette has volunteered at Samaritan House as their Volunteer Manager.
She enjoys reading in her spare time.

03/13/2026

Community members are taking action through sharing their voices in Annapolis to tell the story of how the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households Act (ENOUGH) is impacting community development and supporting household stability in Caroline County. In February Danielle Brodka, active in Federalsburg Better Together and Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, executive director of Martin’s House and Barn and a board member for Caroline Human Services Council who is active in Caroline Better Together submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Committee sharing their thoughts. One aspect of the ENOUGH initiative is supporting community members in activating their own voices and lived experiences to impact decision-making and policy. Below are excerpts of written statements shared by these community members.

Continue reading the article HERE https://www.carolinereview.com/stories/martins-house-barn,65289?

Caroline Review
Caroline Better Together

Community members are taking action through sharing their voices in Annapolis to tell the story of how the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households Act (ENOUGH) is …

03/12/2026

⚠️ Food Pantry Closure Today

Due to a power outage, the Martin’s House & Barn Food Pantry will not be able to distribute food today.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve the issue. Updates will be posted here as we have more information.

Thank you for your patience.

03/07/2026

SATURDAY SALE!!
Join us tomorrow, March 7th from 8 AM to 12 PM for amazing deals! Come shop the best finds of the season-hurry in, the good stuff goes fast! Hope to see you there!
14374 Benedictine Lane, Ridgely, MD