About us

Southwest Emergency Services (SWES) is a Christian-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to help individuals and families in need by providing perishable and non-perishable food as well as financial assistance to avoid eviction and electric/gas shutoffs. SWES was established more than 40 years ago and has its own building at the Arbutus United Methodist Church. SWES is managed by an all-volunteer board and staff and 98 percent of income goes directly to the clients in financial assistance. SWES was founded and is operated by a coalition of local churches. The SWES Board is comprised of representatives of these Member Churches that support SWES. Following is a list of current Member Churches: Arbutus United Methodist Church St. Augustine and Ascension Church Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church Charlestown United Prostestant Church Catholic Community at Relay Catonsville United Methodist Church Christ United Methodist Church Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church Halethorpe-Relay United Methodist Church Church of the Holy Apostles and St. Stephen  Holy Nativity Lutheran Church Landsdowne Christian Church Our Lady of Angels Catholic Community at Charlestown Landsdowne United Methodist Church Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church St. John’s Grace United Church of Christ Halethorpe Community Church Violetville United Methodist Church Hope Presbyterian Church