Food for Thought

Dear Friends,

Together we can make good things happen. That statement is certainly true for The New Love Center!

March was a very exciting month as we launched our Mobile Pantry. Over a year ago we had the privilege to visit one of our partner agencies in the Central PA Food Bank – New Hope Ministries. They have a tremendous outreach with their mobile units. When The New Love Center team went down to see this unit, we saw the many benefits and direct impact of such a program.

During the pandemic, our client base rose and expanded beyond anyone’s expectation. We have seen the need not only increase but also change in how best to reach those who are food insecure. Out of that visit rose a desire to expand our services to folks who may find it difficult to come to a food distribution or need emergency food.

“Together we can make good things happen”. This is so true with the Mobile Pantry. The support of our community has made this a reality for The New Love Center and the many folks that we serve each month.

We were blessed to celebrate the dedication of our mobile unit on March 14th. A special thank you to our partners who made this possible, including: Geisinger, C&N Bank, Jersey Shore State Bank, M&T Bank, and Muncy Bank. We also wanted to thank Central PA Food Bank, PA DCED, and USDA. Without them this program would never have come about!

Blessings abound with volunteers, donors, staff and most of all our wonderful clients that are fed with your donations and support.

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
February Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
1,637 Clients
115 New Clients
241 Volunteers
715 Volunteer Hours
4,662 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
1,020 Meals
Weis Donated 747.71 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 128.52 lbs of Food
74 Volunteers
278.50 Volunteer Hours

Emergency Boxes
We now keep a few emergency food boxes at the cafe for distribution. Our TNLC donation box can be found on the wall in the hallway outside the kitchen door.

Pantry Choice
260 Households Served
699 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
253 Individuals Served
92 Households

Elder Share
143 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
153 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
196 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
206 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
17 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

March: Unsweetened canned fruit, any type
April: Low sodium canned vegetables

Volunteer Spotlight

Carl Schaefer

For our March Volunteer Spotlight we want to thank Carl Schaefer. Carl volunteers at our cafe and drive-thru distributions. He says, “I love being able to help people and being with the other wonderful volunteers and giving back to the community.”

Thank you Carl!

Devotion

I remember watching television once where a person pushed back about being
helped by his friend. His friend replied, “This is a hand up, not a hand out.”

As we engage in ministry at The New Love Center, I am thankful that we are striving to give a
hand up.

In Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, he wrote “All they asked was that we
should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all
along. Carry each other’s burdens…” Praise God for all in The New Love Center who
share in the carrying of other’s burdens!

Pastor Max Furman

Read the rest of our February Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

Dear Friends,

I saw an article recently that was titled “ opportunities to shine”. That brought to mind how much TNLC wants to shine for folks that are food insecure. We are into a period of time when food and gas prices are high. Utility costs continue to rise and our dollar doesn’t stretch. Even at TNLC we continue to see our food costs rise and we search for less expensive foods that are still nutritious.

However, here’s the great news!!! We continue to have a volunteer base that serves this ministry in so many ways. We have a volunteer information orientation once a month and we continue to have folks who want to serve.

We also staff that goes beyond their job descriptions to serve our clients and donors who continue to provide for our clients needs.

The clients that we serve day after day are a blessing to us. Their spirit lifts us up. One client said to us “ it’s a joy to come here you folks are so pleasant.” It is a joy to see them as well. God has been and continues to be so faithful to this ministry. We give Him thanks and ask for your prayers.

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
January Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
1,103 Clients
84 New Clients
276 Volunteers
787.88 Volunteer Hrs
9,920 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
989 Meals
Weis Donated 1,194.50 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 286.06 lbs of Food
65 Volunteers
262 Volunteer Hours

Calling Volunteers!
We need volunteers to serve in the Café kitchen. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer your time.

Pantry Choice
124 Households Served
262 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
257 Individuals Served
90 Households

Elder Share
98 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
147 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
196 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
202 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
19 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

February: Egg noodles
March: Unsweetened canned fruit, any type
April: Low sodium canned vegetables

 
Volunteer Spotlight

Dan and Nancy Simmons

We would like to shine a light on all the hard work Dan and Nancy put forth working on the Senior and Elder share boxes. When asked what they like most about volunteering they said, “We love being able to help people who are less fortunate”.

Thank you Dan and Nancy!

Devotion

Many of us celebrated Valentine’s Day by the giving of cards, chocolate, special dinners, or time. But our love for one another is more than these special activities on one day out of the year. Love can be expressed to one another on a daily basis in a variety of ways.

Paul speaks to the people of Colossians 3:14: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” If we are truly full of love we will care about our neighbor who is struggling to feed her children. We will care about the elderly lady across the street who has little food in the house. We will care about the homeless young man who is sleeping in the laundromat bathroom at night because it is warm there. Love is more than parmigiana chicken and chocolate. It is more than a sensual experience among two lovers. Love is having a heart that says, “I want to make a difference in the world one person at a time.”

For us at The New Love Center, love is serving our clients as they come to our doors seeking healthy, nutritious food, that will sustain them from day to day. There are many ways in which you can express your love this month and every month. We ask that you consider supporting The New Love Center with a donation of food or money or your time. It will help local people in need and fill you with joy in making it happen. “Clothe yourselves with love.”

Pastor Aucker
Reverend Doctor Kerry Aucker

Read the rest of our February Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

Dear Friends,

As we review the year of our Lord 2022 we recognize that in so many ways The New Love Center has been blessed over and over again.

Looking at our strategic goals it is with gratitude that with the commitment of our partners; volunteers, churches, community sponsors, JSSD students, local state and federal government that we continue to serve. However, the group that we continue to serve are the clients. We value their need for wholesome and nutritious foods and the decisions that we make for The New Love Center always focus on what our client needs are and how we can meet them.

So, as we look forward we recognize that we are blessed by so many and most of all by our Lord and Savior. This is His ministry and for that we give thanks. We recognize that we are blessed by so many and most of all by our Lord and Savior. This is His ministry and for that we give thanks. Come join us in service to our neighbors.

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
December Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
1,280 Clients
165 New Clients
296 Volunteers
862.09 Volunteer Hrs
5,663 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
818 Meals
Weis Donated 1,032.26 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 99.97 lbs of Food
47 Volunteers
175.50 Volunteer Hours

Calling Volunteers!
Lend a hand this holiday season! We urgently need volunteers to serve in the Café kitchen. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer your time.

Pantry Choice
161 Households Served
359 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
265 Individuals Served
93 Households

Elder Share
91 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
141 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
197 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
207 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
16 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

January: Small Jars of Grape Jelly

 
Volunteer Spotlight

This month we would like to shine a light on all the hard work and hours Jess Rauch has donated, he is a joy and blessing to have!

Jess volunteers at our Cafe’ and does anything from cooking, cleaning, serving, food preparation and client interaction. He recieves orders and also helps at the Jersey shore Military Share.

Jess says his favorite part about volunteering is “the smiles on people’s face providing happiness and making somebodys day, I like hard work but it’s extra special when I see the joy on people’s faces.”

Devotion

PERSEVERENCE

It could be tempting to get discouraged by the growing number of people who need food. The “root causes” include needless or poor government policies. Can we give up our pursuit of providing for all in the name of Christ?

Likewise in our spiritual life:
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3)

Read the rest of our January Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

Dear Friends,

In just a few days’ time we will be celebrating Christmas and giving thanks for a baby born in Bethlehem. As the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

The Nativity story reminds us that God is with us and appears in the most humble places. God decided that the very first people to hear the good news of the Messiah were shepherds; lowly folks who were viewed as vagrants in their culture. The Christ child was born to parents who were forced to find shelter among animals and placed our Savior in a manger where animals would feed. Were Mary and Joseph food insecure that holy night when Christ was born?

Here at The New Love Center, we see God with us on a daily basis. We see it in every face who is treated with dignity, every mouth that is filled with good things, and every hand that is lent by helpers and volunteers.

This year has been an incredible year, and as you know a bit of a challenging one, too. Food prices have increased and the number of clients who seek our help have increased as well. And so as we begin to say goodbye to this year and welcome the next, may we simply give thanks.

Thank you for sharing resources with the food insecure in our community.
Thank you for helping the Marys and Josephs out there who simply want to feed their family.
Thank you for being a presence of welcome to the shepherds of our day.
Thank you for being like the wisemen and honoring the Lord through gifts given.

On behalf of The New Love Center, thank you for supporting TNLC’s mission “where the love of Christ provides for all” and may God bless us as we enter into the New Year!

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
November Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
1370 Clients
227 New Clients
196 Volunteers
616 Volunteer Hrs
10,488 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
907 Meals
Weis Donated 1073.48 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 517.11 lbs of Food
53 Volunteers
233.50 Volunteer Hours

Calling Volunteers!
Lend a hand this holiday season! We urgently need volunteers to serve in the Café kitchen. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer your time.

Pantry Choice
247 Households Served
555 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
412 Individuals Served
142 Households

Elder Share
81 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
149 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
197 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
207 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
2 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

Currently: Egg Noodles
For January: Small Jars of Grape Jelly

Volunteer Spotlight

We want to shine a light on Karon Fredrikson and what she does at our Drive-Thru Distribution, preparing and serving our volunteer’s lunch as well as counting up the volunteer hours which are much needed for our monthly reporting. Thank you Karon for all you do, we appreciate you!

Tis the season to give thanks for all of God’s gifts!
At TNLC we are so grateful to the ways volunteers share their gifts to make the mission of TNLC possible. It is because of our volunteers that thousands of people in our community have been helped. Blessings this Christmas and may God’s abundant grace guide us all into the New Year!

Devotion

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,…
(Galatians 4:4)

When was Jesus born?
We don’t really know, but the indication from Luke’s account points to spring!

Where was Jesus born?
We don’t know except in Bethlehem in a very crude setting. Scholars debate the type of setting! We do know that He was not of the tribe of Levi, although He is Prophet, Priest, and King. He is of the order of
Melchizedek – without beginning and ending (Hebrews 5).

Although we acknowledge Him Lord and Savior, we do so no longer after the flesh. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:15). Likewise we serve the needs of people no longer after the flesh ( without knowing their origin or specific circumstances), but in compassion as Jesus, our High Priest, had compassion on us.

We serve the needs of people in honor of what Jesus, our King, did for us in the flesh.

Read the rest of our December Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

Dear Friends,

I hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving surrounded by the people who fill your days with life, laughter, and love. We also hope that you were able to be filled with good food!

At The New Love Center we are gearing up for the winter season and helping families and fellow community members find good, nutritious food.

One of the ways that you can help a neighbor is by donating to the TNLC Christmas Food Drive. We are currently accepting canned food and non-perishable items for Christmas boxes which will be distributed to households in need. Another ways that you can help TNLC prepare is through the gift of time and treasure. We would love to have you lend a hand or offer a gift this Giving Tuesday, which is tomorrow November 29.

Thank you for keeping neighbors and families in our community in your prayers, and helping to be a source of hope this season!

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
October Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
890 Clients
96 New Clients
239 Volunteers
716 Volunteer Hrs
4,197 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
937 Meals
Weis Donated 935.65 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 451.76 lbs of Food
56 Volunteers
242 Volunteer Hours

Calling Volunteers!
Lend a hand this holiday season! We urgently need volunteers to serve in the Café kitchen. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer your time.

Pantry Choice
176 Households Served
361 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
256 Individuals Served
92 Households

Elder Share
86 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
143 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
174 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
15 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
22 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

Currently: Small Can Diced Potatoes, Small Can of Whole Tomatoes
Christmas Food Drive: Canned Food and Non-Perishable Items

Volunteer Spotlight

Deb Breining (left) and May Venemon (right) volunteer at the Fresh Food Farmacy. They help with sign-in, scheduling, stocking shelves, and refrigerators. When asked why they like to volunteer here at The New Love Center, their responses were:

May, “Because I’m able to help people, but the star on the top of the tree is working with Ann.”

Deb, “It’s a program I believe in and I enjoy being around people.”

As we approach the end of 2022, it’s a good time to give thanks for all the volunteers like Deb and May who have made the mission of TNLC possible. It is because of our volunteers that thousands of people in our community have been helped. Thank you for being part of the change that you want to see in this world!

Devotion

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” -Isaiah 9:2

We enter the season of Advent. For many of us we might mark this time with an Advent Wreath or we might have an Advent calendar. As we enter this season we enter a time where the days get shorter, the dark seems to come more quickly, and the night seems to last longer.

During this time of shortened days and hurried minds, we are reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words of hope and promise. A promise that God’s light is upon us, and we’re not left out in the dark and the cold.

This promise can be shared with others, too. Perhaps this Advent season, we can share a bit of God’s light with another, so they too may experience the light and warmth of God’s love.

Almighty God, as we begin this season of Advent help us to remember that in the midst of darkness you bring peace and hope. Make us ready to receive your Son, our Savior. May these Advent days be filled with your light. Amen.

Read the rest of our November Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

Encouragement

This is a good word that can take many forms: reassurance, cheer, support, praise…In today’s environment we need to encourage people all we can.

One great example of this is The New Love Center Café, where 30-60 people receive a home-cooked meal along with socialization. The staff there is in tune with the physical and spiritual needs of each guest.

May we be encouraged to be encouragers? Look for opportunities to lift people with affirming words, including an emphasis on gratitude. With the worsening economic environment, we all need encouragement from one another.

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
September Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
881 Clients
124 New Clients
196 Volunteers
616 Volunteer Hours
4,141 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
853 Meals
Weis Donated 840.07 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 803.66 lbs of Food
46 Volunteers
206 Volunteer Hours

Calling Volunteers!
We urgently need volunteers to serve in the Café kitchen. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer your time.

Pantry Choice
178 Households Served
395 Individuals Served

Fresh Food Farmacy
258 Individuals Served
89 Households

Elder Share
76 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
150 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
187 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)
8 Bulldog Baskets (High School Distribution)

PB&J
20 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

Currently: Small Box of Jello (Any Flavor)
November: Small Can Diced Potatoes, Small Can of Whole Tomatoes

Fill a Bag
More information will be coming in the coming weeks on how you can help those in need this Christmas by filling a bag!

Volunteer Spotlight

We are so grateful to be able to shine light on the hard work our volunteers do each month! Saying thank you can never convey how blessed we are for the work that they do for our clients. This month we want to thank John and Nina Garbrick for all the time and hours they have given to TNLC. You both are truly a joy to work with!

When asked what they like most about volunteering at The New Love Center they said, “We love the people! Every time we come there’s something new to do and it’s always exciting.”

John directs traffic and keeps our parking lot in tip-top shape during distributions. He enjoys helping keep folks safe. He also lends an arm to our clients who have disabilities by getting them to the building safely. There is one client in particular that waits at her car for him to help her into the building every month, knowing he will be there for her. Nina has been trained in registration and is a smiling face with a kind word for all who need our services here at The New Love Center.

Devotion

God’s Vision for the Faith Community

In Leviticus 19:9-10, God called on Israel, His chosen people to provide for all in the community. He accomplished this by commanding the harvesters to leave crops in the fields so others may come and reap food.

This was God’s vision for a community of believers and followers. A faith community that helped to ensure that everyone had food and that no one would go hungry. That vision for us has never changed. This month as you give thanks for all that you have, please remember those who are in need in our community.

Pastor Brian M. Moyer
Pine Creek Charge

Read the rest of our October Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.

Food for Thought

September is Hunger Action Month!

What does that mean for the folks who we serve every day? Our responsibility is to share with all we interact with the need for food in our area. We serve a portion of Lycoming and Clinton counties. Children’s food insecurity is very prevalent in those counties.

Clinton county has one in four children and Lycoming one in five that are food insecure. What does that mean? They may not have breakfast before going to school or dinner at night. On the weekends they lack food for most meals so the importance of the Backpack Program is real. Students whose family sign up will receive a backpack of food for the weekend.

We are blessed to work with a local church (Phelp’s Chapel) that packs those boxes bi-weekly and delivers them to the schools in JSSD.The partnership with Phelps Chapel, JSSD and The New Love Center is one way you can help meet the needs in our area of these students. There are many studies that show that hungry students have difficulty with learning because they’re hungry! Reach out today and ask how you can be part of that Action Team that wants to feed kiddos.

Blessings,

Alice Fox Cline
Board President

 
Making a Difference

 
August Program Impact

To learn more about each of our programs, including days and hours, click HERE.

Food Pantry
1,012 Clients
385 New Clients
174 Volunteers
517 Volunteer Hours
4,335 lbs of Food Donated

Cafe
964 Meals
Weis Donated 1,230.03 lbs of Food
Individuals Donated 389.61 lbs of Food
56 Volunteers
255.25 Volunteer Hours

Pantry Choice
363 Individuals Served
221 New Individuals

Fresh Food Farmacy
226 Individuals Served
90 Households

Elder Share
74 Boxes Distributed

Military Shares
141 Households Impacted

Backpack Program
160 Students (Elementary and Middle Schools)

PB&J
12 People Picked Up

 
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.

 
Donations Needed

Currently: Pudding Cups (Backpack Program)
October: Small Box of Jello (Any Flavor)
November: Small Can Diced Potatoes, Small Can of Whole Tomatoes

 
Volunteer Spotlight

Linda Bierly (right) and Deb Leonard (left) volunteer at our Fresh Food Farmacy located in TNLC’s Henry Street Annex. They also volunteer at the Jersey Shore Drive Thru Pantry.

When asked what they love about volunteering they said, “Watching clients succeed in the program is very rewarding. Having a client say that their sugar has never been this low is so encouraging! We love meeting new people.” Linda and Deb both work in registration, data entry, stocking shelves, and welcoming our clients. Thank you for all that you do!

 
Devotion

We read in Isaiah 58:10:
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.

On October 1, The New Love Center will celebrate eight of years of serving food to those in need. We’ve learned many things over the years and adapted to changes that the pandemic forced upon us. But we have also been blessed time after time with donations and volunteers and relationships with our clients that are priceless.

I feel quite honored to have been part of this partnership of committed volunteers who want to make sure no-one goes hungry. So many volunteers have gone out of their way to make sure someone who is struggling gets the resources they need to carry on with their lives. Sometimes it is a listening ear, sometimes food, sometimes a referral to a resource in the area that can be of support to them. We thank you for your donations of food and money.

Thank you for all your support. May your light reflect the light of Christ as we serve.

The Rev. Dr. K. Aucker,
Food Pantry Administrator

Read the rest of our September Donor Impact Report by clicking HERE. You can find archives of the reports and other newsletters HERE.