Manheim Central townlively.com
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXII • NO 4
Northwest EMS Holds Food Drive BY CATHY MOLITORIS
ccording to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, almost 75,000 people in Lancaster County are food insecure. One in five children in the county lacks consistent access to enough food to live an active and healthy life. Northwest EMS is working to address this problem. For the month of February, the organization is holding its annual food drive to benefit local food banks. Donations will be accepted at the Elizabethtown EMS station, 380 W. Bainbridge St., or at the Manheim EMS station, 60 W. Colebrook St. “Our first food drive was in February of 2015,” said Lori Shenk, community outreach manager. “The February food drive, like many of our other outreach initiatives, is an opportunity to connect with individuals in the communities that we serve in hopes that we can impact individual health and community health.” Northwest EMS serves 12 townships and three boroughs, covering more than 200 square miles of response area in Lancaster, Dauphin
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and Lebanon counties. The organization operates from stations in Elizabethtown, Maytown, Manheim and Brickerville. “(Food drive) donations are delivered to the three food banks geographically located within our primary response district -
“The February food drive, like many of our other outreach initiatives, is an opportunity to connect with individuals in the communities that we serve in hopes that we can impact individual health and community health.” specifically, the Elizabethtown Community Cupboard, the East Donegal/Conoy (Christian) Food Bank and the Manheim Central Food (Pantry),” Shenk explained. She noted that the food drive allows people the flexibility to donate items on their own schedule. “Most people would happily support their community food banks
but find it difficult to coordinate delivery of items on the schedule the food banks might have for receiving donations,” Shenk stated. “By hosting a monthlong event and accepting donations at our stations, we make it easy for everyone. Since we are a 24-hour department, simply bring your donations to us and we will take care of everything else.” The collection runs through Sunday, Feb. 28. “Beginning on Monday, March 1, all of the donations will be gathered in one location and sorted for delivery,” she said. “All three food banks will receive the donations during the week of March 1, according to when they have volunteers to accept the donations.” Shenk encourages anyone to make donations, adding that people should avoid donating outdated food or food that will expire within the first few days of March. “If someone wanted to contribute perishable items, they need to coordinate that with me so that I can ensure proper handling of that item,” she noted. For more information on the food drive, readers may contact Shenk at 717-371-8282 or lshenk@nwems86.org.
Inviting the public to contribute to a monthlong food drive through Northwest EMS are (from left) paramedic supervisor Michelle Shaffer, EMT Emmanuel Vizcaino-Perez and paramedic Lisa Latsha.
Submissions Fundraiser Created For House Fire Victims The Polynones are lifelong residents of the Manheim area. They did Sought On Jan. 27, a devastating fire not have insurance on their home. ripped through Christine and “My mother tried to get homeowner’s For Mental Jeffrey Polynone’s house at insurance, but they wouldn’t cover 35 Cider Press Road in Manheim. her because of the heating source in Health Blog Although the couple managed to the home,” Levengood explained.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
When it comes to mental health, sharing stories can help reduce stigma, provide support and offer answers. That’s the hope behind a new blog launched on Mental Health America of Lancaster County’s website. The organization created its new website, https://mhalancaster.org, in November 2020, and it launched the blog in January. See Blog pg 6
Christine and Jeffrey Polynone lost everything in a house fire in January. Their daughter is organizing a fundraiser on their behalf.
escape, the house was destroyed. Now, their daughter Michelle Levengood is organizing a fundraiser to help the couple rebuild and recover. “I grew up in that house,” said Levengood, who has three siblings. “It was a total loss. They were able to get out with the dog, but one of their cats died in the fire. The other was seriously burned and is in the care of White Oaks Veterinary Hospital.”
“She also tried to get renter’s insurance, but she was denied.” Jeffrey, who has colon cancer, is on disability. Christine works for the United States Postal Service. “My mom and dad are very humble people,” Levengood stated. “They are not the type of people to ask for handouts or donations. They would give the shirt off their backs for someone. I just wanted to do something to help them out.”
Theater Plans Virtual Event . . . . . . . . . . .2 Business Directory . . . . . .2 Church To Offer Free Chili, Soup . . . . . . . .5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .12
See Fundraiser pg 10
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