Garden Spot /townlively
DECEMBER 9, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 52
Hometown Heroes - Serving At CrossNet Feeding New Holland BY ANN MEAD ASH
he last 10 months have been challenging for everyone, but three members of the CrossNet Ministries staff in New Holland have faced the giant of COVID-19 restrictions and endeavored to serve with flexibility and resilience. Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager, switched to a drivethrough program when COVID hit, taking phone orders and listing client allergies and walking as much as seven-miles per day as she worked with staff members to oversee the food pantry, Power Packs, and Buddy Bags, which provide instant foods for individual children on weekends. Marburger became involved with CrossNet when she began volunteering with the Power Packs program and filling in for the regular manager in 2017. In June of 2018, she was offered the position she now holds, hitting
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the ground running with the Summer Lunch Program. “Lisa Kerstetter was incredibly helpful in guiding me with the Summer Lunch Program,” recalled Marburger. In June, Marburger was able to switch CrossNet clients to a choice pantry model. “They get a shopping list of quantities, and they take a cart and shop on their own,” said Marburger. “It’s truly free choice now.” Marburger said she is still processing the months of working without volunteers and keeping staff members socially distanced while they packed food items. She said she will be better prepared if that system is required again. W hat amazed Marburger most about the experience were the comments of those she was serving. “The statement I heard consistently was, ‘I don’t really need it, (so) I want to make sure someone else has it.’ That just blew my mind,” she said.
CrossNet Ministry staff members who have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis include (from left) Amy Marburger, Joan Yunginger, and Aryn Burda.
Aryn Burda is the case and resource manager at CrossNet. Burda has a bachelor’s degree in social work and biblical studies and a minor in intercultural studies from Lancaster Bible College, and she is currently in a master’s program at Alvernia College, studying social work with a concentration in mental health and addiction. More importantly, Burda feels compassion for her fellow humans. “God has given me a passion to hear people’s stories and connect with people,” she said, adding that her goal is to build relationships and connect clients to resources in an effective way. Burda began her career at The Factory Ministries in Paradise in May 2018, moving to CrossNet in March 2019. While her main focus at CrossNet is case management,
A Different Way To Help she also oversees other ministries, including money management, the Getting Ahead program, the diaper ministry, and the transportation ministry. She is a certified trainer with Bridges Out of Poverty. Commenting on COVID, Burda noted, “Life has looked very different, but the needs have also looked different. Overnight we had to rearrange the way we meet people or receive requests.” She added that she and Yunginger navigated how to be responsive rather than reactive. “(COVID) has made me treasure face-to-face meetings even though they are six feet apart and in a mask,” she said. Burda relayed the story of a couple the ministry worked with that moved to New Holland during the crisis. “They were sleeping in their car, and
Joan Yunginger, director of social services with CrossNet, was a fixture at New Holland Elementary School for years. It was there she witnessed the struggles of area families and the work the school nurses did to help them. Around 2000, Yunginger investigated nursing, only to discover it was not for her. Instead, she began taking classes at community college and had a talk with ELANCO School District social worker Kathy Kuhn. The conversation led Yunginger to Drexel University’s adult program, and in 2005, she received her degree in behavioral health with a minor in drug and alcohol counseling. Yunginger completed an internship at CrossNet See Partnerships pg 2
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everything they tried, they hit barriers,” she recalled. Working with CrossNet, the couple eventually was able to obtain housing. “We continued to provide options … and they were so intentional with following up,” said Burda. “It was amazing to watch them grow through that experience. (Their) motivation, perseverance, and resilience were inspiring.” Burda acknowledged that the issues of the past months have led to growth. “It exposed the areas I need to grow in and affirmed the areas that are strengths,” she said. “I am really thankful for the other social service agencies (because) it has been a blessing to be able to build on partnerships and relationships.” Readers who would like more information on CrossNet may visit www.elancocross.org.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Holiday Dessert Sale Planned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Scout Packs Post Meetings . . . . . . . . . .4 Business Card Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 House Of Worship . . . . . .10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13
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