Baltimore Launches Snow Corps to Help Neighbors in Need

When snow blankets Baltimore sidewalks, clearing them can mean the difference between isolation and independence for older adults and people with disabilities.

The city just launched Baltimore Snow Corps, a pilot program that matches volunteer snow shovelers with neighbors who need help. Residents can request assistance or sign up to volunteer through a simple 311 call, the city website, or the BALT311 app.

City officials will connect volunteers with nearby residents who need their sidewalks cleared. The program targets seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone else who might struggle with the physical demands of snow removal.

The Snow Corps works alongside Baltimore's regular snow operations, which focus on clearing streets. This new program fills a gap by addressing sidewalks, the pathways that connect people to their communities during winter weather.

The Ripple Effect

The pilot program does more than clear snow. It builds connections between neighbors who might never have met otherwise.

Volunteer availability determines who gets help, so the city can't guarantee assistance for everyone who requests it. That's exactly why Baltimore wants to test this model now, to see if enough residents will step up when their neighbors need them.

The city monitors participation to decide whether Snow Corps should become a permanent fixture each winter. Every shovelful of snow moved by a volunteer provides data about whether community-powered solutions can work at scale.

Volunteers participate at their own discretion, and the city notes it doesn't assume responsibility for any injuries or property damage that might occur. But for many Baltimore residents, the chance to help a neighbor outweighs those risks.

Anyone interested can find more details at the city's Snow Corps webpage, where both volunteers and those needing assistance can learn how to connect through the 311 system.

Baltimore is betting that when winter weather hits, its residents will show up for each other.