IN THIS ISSUE: LCCTC CAMPUS WINS AWARD page 6
Conestoga Valley /townlively
APRIL 22, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 19
Ministry Brings Milk And More To Those In Need Building On: By Ann Mead Ash
Blessings of Hope (BOH), a wholesale food bank located on Becker Road in Leola, started out small. “We started in 2006 in a little garage in Farmersville,� said David Lapp, a representative of the ministry. The group recognized that food that was being wasted could be used to feed people in Lancaster County and beyond, and it eventually developed relationships with more than 80 food producers. “We get semi-truck loads of product, and we redistribute to food pantries, outreaches, halfway houses, and ministries,� explained Lapp. “We serve the organizations that serve the people that need the food.� In the last few weeks, the changes wrought by COVID-19 restrictions have affected the ministry in a variety of
ways. Most recently, the organization has been contacted by a number of dairy farms with milk to donate. “We had 20 people call in the (first week of April) that had milk for us,� said Lapp, who noted that BOH has connected with a co-operative in Holtwood to receive milk. “They are sending two truckloads a day,� said Lapp during the second week of April. “We received close to 10,000 gallons of milk that we had pasteurized and bottled and we were able to distribute.� Some of that milk came to CrossNet Ministries in New Holland on April 7. Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager at CrossNet, was excited to receive 75 gallons. “Kreider Farms (of Manheim) pasteurized and bottled (the milk),� said Marburger, who noted the availability made a big difference for ELANCO-area families. “We are able to See Blessings Of Hope pg 3
IMPACT! Missions Continues To Serve By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Volunteers load food boxes into waiting cars at a Blessings of Hope outreach. The wholesale food bank has seen a significant increase in the food it provides to families in need in the last few weeks.
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Like so many other organizations, Black Rock Retreat, 1345 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, has had to adjust its operations. The Christian camp and retreat center has canceled all retreat groups that had been scheduled for the next few weeks. The shutdown has resulted in a loss of income, and executive director Peter Fiorello noted that Black Rock depends upon retreat revenue, summer camper fees, and donations to pay staff members and to maintain operations. “As groups cancel, we have had to trim our staff, which stretches our ability to prepare for summer and the future,� Fiorello said. “We as a team continue to pray for wisdom and seek God’s help during these times. We are diligently planning for summer and how we can best serve our campers and families, if God gives us the opportunity to do so.� In addition to working on ideas, Black Rock has also been involved in practical activities. “In an effort to support our staff through this
Benefit auctions are a beloved tradition in Lancaster County. While stay-at-home orders may have caused most public auctions to be postponed or canceled, Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS) has adopted a different format for its annual fundraising events for its New Danville and Locust Grove campuses. The two auctions are typically held on different days and have diverse features, but LMS has combined the auctions and moved the single event online, with plans to host the associated components later. “(We decided to) postpone the barbecue and kids’ activities until another time when we can gather together safely in person,� said LMS creative director Carrie King. The online auction will be hosted by BiddingOwl.com and run from 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24, to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1. As of April 6, a total of 137 items had been uploaded to the auction program. These include artwork from local artists, community experiences, toys, themed gift baskets, gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses,
Black Rock Retreat kitchen manager Bill Pitcher handed a box of food and supplies to guest services staff member Julia Libby as part of the Christian camp and retreat center’s efforts to support its employees during the shutdown.
See Lancaster Mennonite pg 6
The fundraising auctions for the New Danville and Locust Grove campuses of Lancaster Mennonite School will look very different this year. Instead of two large gatherings of students and supporters, a single online auction will be held from April 24 to May 1.
%$' :$7(5" :DWHU $QDO\VLV DQG (VWLPDWH
:( &$1 +(/3
'RQÂŹW EH GHSHQGHQW RQ ERWWOHG ZDWHU $ .LQHWLFR 'ULQNLQJ :DWHU 6\VWHP ZLOO SURYLGH \RX ZLWK ERWWOH ZDWHU TXDOLW\ IURP \RXU WDS IRU RQO\ SHQQLHV D GD\
0$57,1:$7(5 &20
R057969
'3&&
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 22, 2020
Postal Patron
CON
See IMPACT! pg 2
LMS Changes Auction Format
Retreat Center Makes Adjustments
See Retreat Center pg 5
“Now that county residents have been ordered to shelter in place, it is more important than ever that every family has somewhere to stay that is warm, dry, and livable,� IMPACT! Missions (IM) founder and executive director Matt Beakes wrote in an email newsletter on March 31. “As this crisis unfolds, IMPACT! Missions has not wavered in its commitment to making a difference in the lives of our Lancaster County neighbors who are struggling with poverty and limited housing.� The IM emergency repair ministry to low-income homeowners is continuing