Conestoga Valley /townlively
NOVEMBER 25, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 50
we are so thankful for our readers and the local businesses and organizations that help to make our communities thrive Journey To Bethlehem Soldiers On BY ANN MEAD ASH
Staff and volunteers of Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services plan to give away specially prepared meal boxes this holiday season.
Last year, organizers of Journey to Bethlehem, an annual fundraiser for Woodcrest Retreat, changed the script a little by having participants meet up with a Roman guard on the journey. This year, a few more changes are planned. Some of those changes are related to COVID-19 restrictions, but others are designed to enhance the experience for those who attend. Journey to Bethlehem differs from other live Nativity presentations because participants are given the opportunity to become part of the Christmas story as they follow Mary and Joseph to See Woodcrest pg 7
n a year of uncertainty and change, Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS), located at 2420 Gehman Lane, Lancaster, is sticking to tradition with its annual food giveaway for Christmas. “Our plan for Christmas is to give away our normal food boxes,” said Gayle Smith, director of finance with CVCCS. “It has always been a pickup (event).” In the past, the food pickup also included Christmas shopping options inside the building. While those cannot occur this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, CVCCS board president Lisa Horst noted
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that staff and volunteers who take food boxes to cars on Saturday, Dec. 19, will be also deliver warm greetings. “We will be giving Christmas cookies out that day, and the volunteers go out and talk to each person and wish them a wonderful holiday,” she said. Meal boxes, which will be given to families that register in advance and visit CVCCS at their appointed time, will include fresh potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, sweet potatoes, turkey or ham, rolls, and a pie. “This time there will be milk and eggs,” added Smith.
CVCCS clients have become accustomed to a drive-through food pickup. “When COVID first hit, we went to a drive-through procedure because our clients still needed food,” explained Horst. “(Clients) would put the back of the car up, and we would put the groceries in and they would be on their way,” said Horst, who recalled that five part-time staff members handled most of those duties, but that on Wednesdays when the food truck delivered, several volunteers came in to stock shelves or go into the community to retrieve donations. “We had a pickup truck convoy
because … restaurants would call with extra food,” said Horst. Smith added that one restaurant provided 90 dozen eggs to the ministry. On the same day the boxed meals are distributed, the organization will provide about 50 individual dinners to seniors living in Nathan Village. “ We cook the turkeys, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and then we give them the rest of the fixings for them to make for Christmas,” said Horst. “(The seniors) have small ovens and limited (cooking) space.” This Christmas, CVCCS is also partnering with Victory Church. Church members
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Goodman Chiropractic To Open In Ephrata . . . . . . . .2 Holiday Meal Distibution Planned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 House Of Worship . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13
See CVCCS Plans pg 11
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CVCCS Plans Christmas Giveaway
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EPHRATA
1717 West Main St.
NEW PROVIDENCE
2318 Beaver Valley Pk.
(2 miles west of Ephrata on Route 322) (1 mile north of Quarryville on Route 222)
717-721-3139
717-806-7373
**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
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