Meals, giveaways help spread God’s love

By Tricia Kline

For The Daily Item

Many individuals and families throughout the central Susquehanna Valley struggle with not knowing if, when, or where their next meal will come. Thanks to many local churches and faithful volunteers, those insecurities are being replaced with provision and hope week in and week out.

From dinners to food banks to hygiene giveaways, a network of outreaches and ministries seeks to ensure that people’s basic needs are met.

Aware of several food distributions in their area, Freedom Life Church, in Milton, began their own distribution to help meet the need.

“We love people because God has made it clear that this is an important part of loving Him,” Tony Cruz, church pastor, said.

Two years ago, they began collecting food by donation from people in the church and partnered financially with a ministry that helps put boxes together.

The Box of Love outreach is 100 percent free to recipients. The only requirement is that they be onsite to receive the gift, and boxes are limited to one a month per household.

In 2009, First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg began Dinner by the River. Currently, they are offering meals on the first and third Thursday of each month. The dinners are open to the public; no form is required for admission.

Cathleen Stenglein serves as coordinator of the dinner. With a career in food product development, she said she feels like using her skills to serve the community is the least she can do. And, she said, “Our church is very focused on community outreach and joyfully embraces uniting with other churches, individuals, and programs to do the same.”

In addition to the dinner, she said the church also houses a Giving Closet and many of the congregants volunteer at DIG Furniture Bank in Milton.

Ron and Beth Mull are coordinators of a food giveaway program at Hummel’s Church, 427 Sassafras Road, Middleburg, which began in March 2021. According to Angie Weaver, church secretary, every third Saturday of the month boxes are given to those who arrive. Approximately 70 to 90 families receive this assistance each month.

“There is a need to help those who are struggling,” Weaver said. “We felt the urge to help.”

Kate’s Kupboard, an outreach of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northumberland, supplies nonperishable food items, cold meat

See MEALS, Page F3

Volunteers Rachel Dock and Jean Dombroski peel potatoes for a meal through Shepherd’s Pie, a ministry of St. Pius X of Selinsgrove.

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Volunteers Glenn Dobbs and Mitzi Means prepare food for First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg’s Dinner by the River.

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Patrons sit in the dining area during First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg’s Dinner by the River.

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MEALS, from Page F1 and produce, as well as household items and baby and adult care products to those in need. Distributions are the third Saturday of each month.

According to Lou Van Gilder, one of the founders, the outreach began in March 2010. He said no paperwork is necessary. “If you can show up at our door, you will leave with something,” he said.

Martha’s Table offers free, hot, takeout meals every first, third, and fifth Wednesdays of the month (except December) at All Saints Episcopal Church, 129 N. Market St. in Selinsgrove.

“I enjoy cooking for other people, and this ministry is a great way to give back to the community,” coordinator Stacy Heckman said.

Martha’s Table began in April 2008, the dream of long-time church member Betty Keister.

“Betty’s vision was to open our doors to the community for a nutritious meal served in a pleasant atmosphere,” Heckman said.

Shepherd’s Pie is a ministry of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Selinsgrove, offering home-cooked frozen meals to those in need the last Thursday of each month.

According to coordinator Sandy Corrigan, the ministry began in April 2016 as the vision of church member Helena Williams who wanted to combat food insecurity for as many as she could.

Corrigan said each month she is surprised by how many show up to get the meals.

“I can’t believe there’s that many people doing without,” she said. “When you see the need, you see the people that are out there ... you want to give back to your community and be a part of it.”

Giving and receiving

According to Stenglein, the Dinner by the River outreach has expanded to include volunteers from other area churches as well. In total, there are 64 volunteers, with five teams of six to eight who rotate each month for the first Thursday meal. For the third Thursday, 28 volunteers from Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church rotate each month. Much of the food is purchased by First Presbyterian through the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, but they also receive a lot of food that is donated or purchased by local businesses, farms and individuals.

Stenglein said she has seen an increase in the number of meals they serve each time, and she believes it will likely be a continuing trend. Currently, they are serving about 100 meals each month, and they hope to make the program a weekly in 2026.

Van Gilder said they rely on a team of volunteers he calls “Kate’s Crew” that help every month to make Kate’s Kupboard possible. Some months, 50 people are involved.

Each month, an average of 120 to 150 people show up to receive help, which Van Gilder said might represent 550 to 620 people when all of the members of their family are counted.

For Martha’s Table, in addition to All Saints’ own volunteers, volunteers from their community partner, St. Pius X Catholic Church, of Selinsgrove, serve the meal on every fifth Wednesday.

“From the beginning, the program was well received, and attendance has grown steadily,” Heckman said. On average, about 75 people are served at Martha’s Table each Wednesday. Volunteers help to box the dinners each week, which includes a dessert provided by Weaver’s Bakery in Port Trevorton. In addition to each hot meal, a frozen meal is also offered.

The Box of Love outreach at Freedom Life Church involves about 20 volunteers. So far, more than 400 families have taken boxes, and the outreach feeds about 120 families each month.

Shepherd’s Pie is run by a core of a dozen volunteers. In July 2024, they gave away 518 meals after cooking 609.

“We cook a lot, and we give away a lot,” Corrigan said. “There are very few times that we’ve ever run out.”

Meeting a variety of needs

Throughout the Valley, there are also places people can go for more than just food. In addition to other supplies offered through Kate’s Kupboard in Northumberland, Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewisburg offers a variety of hygiene and clothing items through its Beacon Shop and New to You outreaches.

According to Rev. Sue Jamison, associate pastor, the mission statement of the church is “Welcoming all with God’s love, serving all in God’s name, as we all grow in faith together.”

“By providing these outreach ministries, we believe we are fulfilling this mission,” she said.

Nancy Nickles, co-coordinator of the Beacon Free Shop, said they have between 10-12 volunteers doing a variety of jobs on distribution days, including welcoming clients, taking and filling orders, keeping the inventory stocked and translating for clients who speak Spanish.

Christy Brouse, co-coordinator, said Beacon began in 2018 to offer hygiene items at the same time as the food bank at First Baptist Church, located across the street. They serve between 85 and 100 households each month, which represents more than 200 individuals. Since she began serving in 2021, she said they have seen an increased community need.

They do not ask for financial or residency proof to those who come. According to Brouse, most of their clients are elderly.

“Our philosophy is if someone asks for help, we will give it if we can.”

Clients must be there in person and are limited to 10 items per month, an average of $20. Brouse said Beacon expenses approximately $20,000 each year.

The ministry has been financed through generous donations and grants, with several partners providing quality inventory.

The New to You ministry began in August 2023 as a joint project of Beaver Memorial and First Baptist churches in Lewisburg. The ministry provides adult clothing, linens and kitchen items. They hold their distributions quarterly in August, November, February and May, on the third Saturday of the month — the same day and time (10 a.m. to noon) as the Beacon Shop.

Coordinator Patty Johnston said they generally have about 12-15 volunteers for setup and cleanup, and those coming for items number between 61 and 84 people, representing 142 to 222 individuals.

The ministry does not incur any costs. The inventory is strictly through donations.

Johnston said the Beacon Shop and New to You are opportunities the church sees to meet the needs in their community.

“We have had so many express their appreciation for our doing this,” she said. “I, for one, never realized the extent of the needs of so many right here in our backyard. I’m so happy we can help in this small way.”

How you can help

There are a variety of ways that you can help these (and many other) ministries meeting the needs of people throughout the Valley.

The Box of Love outreach at Freedom Life Church in Milton is always in need of monetary donations to help offset the costs of shipment of the boxes and food. They currently have a Kingdom Builders program to fund the outreach. More information is available at www.freedomlifeag. org/give. Hummel’s Church in Middleburg accepts food and monetary donations for their food distribution.

Volunteers are always needed for Dinner by the River in Lewisburg; call the church office at 570-5244419. Donations of grocery gift certificates are also always welcome.

To find out more about how you can help with Kate’s Kupboard, you can call the church office at 570-473-3770. While much of their products are purchased through the help of grants, they also can always use monetary donations to buy supplies.

Volunteers are always needed to help set up, prepare food, serve, and clean up at Martha’s Table. Monetary and gift card donations are always appreciated as well. More information is available by calling the parish office at 570-374-8289.

Shepherd’s Pie relies on monetary and gift card donations. They work with whatever donations they get each month.

Volunteer Pat Geipel stirs up some ingredients while preparing a meal through Shepherd’s Pie, a ministry of St. Pius X of Selinsgrove.

Photos provided

"I can't believe there's that many people doing without. When you see the need, you see the people that are out there ... you want to give back to your community and be a part of it."

- Sandy Corrigan, Shepherd's Pie coordinator