Lampeter-Strasburg /townlively
DECEMBER 2, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 32
Food Pantry Is Part Of Church’s Mission BY ANN MEAD ASH
hen Mission Church moved to 651 Lampeter Road, Lancaster, in the spring of 2018, members and staff set a goal. “We wanted to impact the community,” said Brian Bitler, director of operations and strategic advancement for the church. Opening a food pantry was a topic of discussion. “When the pandemic hit, we had two things,” recalled Bitler. “We had the facility … (and we had) people who rose up for that (challenge).” Armed with opportunity, space, and willing workers, Mission Church opened a food pantry that is available to all area residents. Mission Church operations coordinator Tammi Nolt stated that the Mission Food Pantry is generally open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. “Once a month anyone can come pick up a box of food,” she said, noting that contact information will be requested from recipients but preregistration is not necessary. Each household is given
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one box of food weighing approximately 50 pounds, but Nolt said that other items are added when they are available. “This summer, we had a lot of produce, meat, and milk,” she said. “It depends on what our stock is.” Jeremiah Miller, director of facility management at the church, said that the box of nonperishable items generally contains cans of vegetables or fruit, canned meat, and a variety of pastas and sauce. He added that sometimes oatmeal or granola bars are included along with coffee, tea, and snacks. “Comfort food is always nice to have,” he said. In its first six months, the food pantry fed 1,000 different families. “We have provided about 2,500 boxes of food since we started,” Nolt said of the drive-through operation. Bitler noted that recipients pull up and are signed in by volunteers before receiving boxes of items. Personal care products and detergents are often available for those who ask. Currently, the church partners with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Blessings of Hope to fill
Former NICU Family Gives Back BY DAYNA M. REIDENOUER
Four years after her son, Lucas, was born prematurely, Carmina Rodriguez of Lancaster still remembers the encouragement offered by a family that was in the Women & Babies Hospital (WBH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with her. Lucas was due on Feb. 23, 2017, but while attending a church service in October 2016, Carmina unexpectedly began experiencing contractions and was taken to the See NICU Family pg 2
Mission Church staff members (from left) Brian Bitler, Tammi Nolt, and Jeremiah Miller have helped to organize the church food pantry, which distributes boxes of food to area residents in need.
Herr House Plans Tours
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Christmas candlelight tours will be held at the 1719 Herr House and Museum, 1849 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 3, 4, and 5. Attendees may choose a 6 or 7:15 p.m. start time. The program will provide information on the winter traditions of local indigenous peoples prior to European settlement as well as the holiday traditions of the Herr family and other Mennonite families in the early 18th century. The program will
Student Installs Picnic Area . . . . . . . . . . . .3 LS Wins 5 Section Titles, District Gold And Silver . . .7 Safe Communities Host Virtual Tours . . . . . .11 House Of Worship . . . . . .13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13 Business Directory . . . . .16
See Herr House pg 2
The 1719 Herr House and Museum will host Christmas candlelight tours on Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 3 to 5.
Picture P icture Perfect Perfect
FRASER FIR 400 Long Lane at Marticville Road (Rt. 741 & 324) 717-872-9311 www.cherryhillorchards.com
• Trees • Wreaths • Garland • Greens
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Mon.-Sat. 8-6
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www.cherryhillorchards.com
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER DEC 2, 2020
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See Mission Church pg 5