The New Love Center in the News
On Friday, September 17, The New Love Center was once again featured in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Read all about how we worked to fight food insecurity during the Covid-19 pandemic here.
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“Every person can make a difference, and every person should try.”
(President John F. Kennedy)
Last month, 179 volunteers made a difference at The New Love Center, giving 732 hours of their time. Among the countless blessings that allow us to fulfill our mission, the men and women who serve as volunteers are the greatest. Every meal served and box of food distributed is accompanied by the love of a volunteer who has answered the call to give of themselves to those in need. Thank you volunteers for everything you do!
Are you interested in learning more about volunteering at The New Love Center?
We’d love to have you join us!
Please come in and see what we do, with a first hand look at how you can make a difference, and get your questions answered. To set up a time to visit, call the office at 570-244-8838 or click here.
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In September, the Café served 576 meals. This key program serves delicious and healthy meals Monday through Friday to anyone who wants one at no cost. As we continue toward our dream of building a new food hub, which will include a dining room and kitchen, we look forward to giving people the opportunity for fellowship and community, in addition to a hot meal.
27 volunteers gave 137 hours of their time to work in the Café. These volunteers helped prepare and serve meals, clean, and keep things moving along. As always, they did so with the love of Christ and friendly smiles that people know they’ll always find at The New Love Center.
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On the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, our Food Pantry is open for distribution to provide food for those who might not otherwise be able to get it. In September, 836 individuals received food from the pantry. Without these distributions, many of those individuals would not have known where their next meal was coming from. We’re always happy to welcome new faces and build connections with people coming to us for the first time. In September, we were pleased to welcome 140 new individuals to our distributions.
The New Love Center also operates a number of other programs that help fight food insecurity. We have the ElderShare program, which provides an extra box of food to seniors. In September, 82 senior boxes were distributed. Our MilitaryShare program served 140 households. We also have the Pop-Up Pantries, which extend our reach to additional locations that may be easier for some people to access. In Renovo, 99 individuals received food and in Lock Haven, another 230 individuals were served.
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In the month of September, the Fresh Food Farmacy helped individuals and their families living with Type 2 Diabetes receive fresh and healthy food to support a better diet. 39 households are enrolled in the program, serving a total of 92 individuals. Operating out of the Henry Street Annex, our clients are able to shop around for the items they want, choosing from a wide variety of options provided through our partnership with Geisinger.
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See our new video about the Fresh Food Farmacy
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The generous donations we receive each month sustain our mission of working to end food insecurity. We are thankful for each and every contribution, which totaled 4,814 pounds of food in September.
Thank you in a special way to Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Women’s Organization for their generous donation to the New Love Center Food Pantry. The Synod wide donation of food and money to the shelter in Sunbury and The New Love Center Food Pantry is greatly appreciated as we serve the residents of Clinton and Lycoming Counties.
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Thank you to everyone who makes our monthly donation request a priority. In order to help you plan ahead, here are the items we will be requesting over the coming months:
October
Olive oil for the Café
November
Mac & Cheese for the Backpack Program
December
Personal care items for the Pantry
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Every Gift Makes a Difference!
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In Matthew’s Gospel, as Christ addresses His listeners concerning the future Great
Judgment, he affirms the behavior of those who are to inherit the kingdom. “For I
was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink,…” The righteous, however, are confused and ask Jesus,
“when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to
drink…?” Christ replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The opportunities that present
themselves to us in our ministry as the Love Center make us mindful of who we
are truly ministering to.
~ Pastor Max Furman
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