The state's Department of Human Resources set up a hotline for people in Baltimore needing help with food, emergency assistance, or concerns for children or the elderly.
The hotline is 1-888-756-7836 and will be staffed by state human resources and Baltimore social services officials at a round-the-clock command center.
The command center offers help with: Emergency assistance for rent and utilities, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, child support enforcement, and support for foreign refugees.
The state Department of Human Resources also has partnered with the United Way to help people in Baltimore neighborhoods affected by the recent violent protests in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, who was injured in police custody. Donations can be made at uwcm.org/MDUnites or by texting "MDUnites" to 71777.
Needless to say, anarchists, mayhem-seekers, self-styled supposed "communists," faux revolutionists, well-heeled ruminators, testosterone-soaked blowhards, and condescending cowards who exhort violence from the comfort and safety of their armchairs while hiding behind anonymous internet monikers, avert your eyes. You can't allow yourself to become involved with The State. Helping people who've lost their "shitty jobs at CVS" because the stores were burned to the ground, who are "lucky" to lose those jobs working for The Man, aren't worthy of your effort. They're not fit to touch your hem.
Everyone else, thank you for helping out.
(Photo: The front of Liam Flynn's Ale House on North Avenue, Baltimore, courtesy of the dyspeptic and self-important "KT" at David Simon's blog)
