GEORGETOWN — If you knew Betty Carroll, or knew of her, then you know that she was genuine in her generosity, and consistently compassionate, gentle and thoughtful.
In a word, she was the epitome of kindness.
While “Miss Betty” — that’s what kids who grew up in Galena called her — passed away in November 2023, her legacy of selflessness continues in a food ministry that serves households in Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.
Operating the Betty Carroll Food Ministry out of the downstairs seating area of the Fish Whistle at the Granary restaurant in Georgetown, a group 15 or so volunteers pack up and deliver meals once a month to folks from Cecilton to Crumpton, including locales such as Gregg Neck, Chesterville, Massey, Still Pond, Chestertown and Galena.
On food ministry day, “I feel her spirit here,” said Jeff Carroll, who is Betty’s son and co-owner and executive chef of the Fish Whistle.
When she retired in 2007, after 28 years as an office administrator for the Kent County Planning and Zoning Department, Betty went to work for Jeff in an office manager role that he summarized as “keeping everything organized.”
“She was always helping other people,” Jeff said of his mother, noting that she was devout and devoted for 50 years to Olivet United Methodist Church in Galena, where she was involved with a food ministry as well as serving as a lay speaker and superintendent of Sunday school.
The Betty Carroll Food Ministry was launched just about a year ago, at Eastertime.
Joan Enfield, who has been involved from the beginning, remembered Carroll — whom she described as a very Christian woman and “just a wonderful person” — as her “go-to lady” whenever there was a need or a concern.
Through her 26 years as an elected Galena town council member as well as a two-term judge of the Kent County Orphans’ Court, Carroll had her proverbial finger on the pulse of her community.
The all-volunteer Betty Carroll Food Ministry “is a way to honor her, a living testament of her community and civic contributions,” Enfield said.
In making her pitch to Jeff Carroll, Enfield led with “I adored your mother.”
His response was swift and succinct: “It would be an honor to have this in mom’s name,” he said.
In addition to offering the Fish Whistle space — including its kitchen — at no cost, Jeff Carroll has on occasion donated leftovers from catering events with a note that says something to the effect of “check the refrigerator downstairs.”
Here’s how it works.
About once a month, the day varies depending on volunteers’ availability, helpers gather at about 8 a.m at the Fish Whistle. Larry Hanifee, a retired teacher who found a second calling as a pastor, offers a blessing before the roll-up-your sleeves work begins.
The menu also varies but entrées have included pulled pork, chicken salad, egg salad, chicken parmesan and, in the summer, fresh vegetables.
There are donations of food from youth groups, community members, and The Fish Whistle and Sisters by Chance catering jobs.
The menu for the February meal included baked ham, sweet potatoes, applesauce, biscuits and homemade dessert.
There is always dessert, made from scratch by three volunteers who signed on strictly to make the sweets.
The total cost for the February meal was $176. Enfield said 96 meals were prepared, and 80 were delivered.
Earlier this month, 81 meals were sent out and another 18 were packaged for folks who were not on the list.
The average is 100 meals prepared each month, according to Enfield, a partner in Sisters by Chance catering.
How do you get on the “list?”
It’s as simple as word of mouth.
Enfield stressed that this is not so much about need.
“It’s reaching out to people, to tell people that we care about them,” she said.
Enfield said the response from the community has been “heartwarming,” from those who give as well as those who receive.
“The reward is mush greater for the people making deliveries,” she added.
Enfield has experienced this firsthand when she and Elsie Hufford make their monthly delivery, and visit, with a 97-year-old man [on the list] who is self-sufficient but enjoys their company.
Another example is volunteer Bill Ogden, who will sit and eat his meal with the folks he delivers to. [Everyone who helps is encouraged to take a meal.]
For Galena native Molly Hanifee McNatt, who now lives in Smyrna, Delaware, this is an opportunity to “come back home and help where I grew up.”
In her formative years she spent a lot of time in the Carroll home, and is a contemporary of Jeff Carroll and his sister Maureen Ranville.
McNatt packages the meals, and on occasion has made deliveries
“It’s small here and personal, and I like coming home,” said McNatt, whose employer Bank of America makes it possible for her to have eight hours of paid time off each month for community outreach.
The Betty Carroll Food Ministry is McNatt’s priority.
Among the many others that make this food ministry work are Sally Camp, Lisa Powell of the Fish Whistle, the Galena Lions Club and the Sassafras River Business Association.
“Everyone is important,” Enfield said of those who are a part of this outreach.
The Betty Carroll Food Ministry is incorporated as a nonprofit, and is working toward gaining 501(c) status.
The organization has an account with Peoples Powered by Hanscom Federal Credit Union [formerly The Peoples Bank], and a board of directors. Ranville is the president; Darlene Johnston is the secretary; and Enfield is the treasurer.
Donations can be made to The Betty Carroll Food Ministry, c/o Enfield, 32082 Shorewood Road, Galena, MD 21635.
For more information, contact Enfield at 410-708-1322 or joan@sistersbychance.com.
