On Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 11 AM-4 PM in German Park, St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) will host the 19th annual Reservoir Hill Resource Fair and Music Festival, otherwise known as ResFest. Open to the public and held rain or shine, ResFest will feature a diverse array of resource vendors, live music, free grocery and school supply giveaways, local vendors and cuisine, and fun for all ages.

During the festival, SFNC is set to unveil an all-new mission statement, developed as part of the organization’s upcoming 2025-2030 strategic plan. This comes just one year after the nonprofit celebrated 60 years of continuous operations in West Baltimore. “We are really excited about entering this new era of growth, and we want our community to be the first to hear the details. Announcing the new mission at ResFest is a very intentional choice,” says Lily Goldsmith, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for SFNC.

ResFest will be held in German Park (located at 2423 Linden Avenue, adjacent to SFNC) and the 900 block of Whitelock Street between Linden and Brookfield Avenues, which will be closed to traffic. The resource fair, which takes place from 11 AM-1 PM, will provide attendees with employment, education, homeownership, healthcare, and legal resources, thanks to over 50 participating organizations from across Baltimore City. ResFest 2024 will also include an expanded Vendor Village in an effort to uplift local artisans and entrepreneurs.

The live music portion will run concurrently with the resource fair and continue throughout the event. Local performers will include Clarence Ward III, the Edward Hrybyk Quartet, the Love Groove Band, Moving History, and DJ TNT. Adult beverages will be available for purchase in a designated area near the stage. In the Kid’s Corner, young people will enjoy free facepainting and balloon animal art, yard games, and laser tag. SFNC’s annual backpack and grocery giveaways will also return this year in an effort to promote food access and provide West Baltimore students with the supplies they need for the coming school year.

“At the heart of everything we do at SFNC is the goal of creating meaningful moments of connection, built by, with, and for the community we serve. We want to highlight our commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainable growth. We can’t wait to share this joyous day with everyone and continue building a stronger, more connected West Baltimore together,” Angela Miller, lead organizer of ResFest, explains.

ResFest would not be possible without the support of the Friends of German Park, Beth Am Synagogue, and the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, co-organizers of the festival with St. Francis Neighborhood Center. WYPR and WTMD are proud media partners of ResFest for the second year in a row. Learn more about Reservoir Hill’s 19th annual Resource Fair and Music Festival and how to get involved at stfranciscenter.org/resfest.