Garden Spot townlively.com
JANUARY 8, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 3
Free lunch BY ANN MEAD ASH
A
ccording to members of Ranck’s United Methodist Church, 700 Ranck Road, New Holland, there is such a thing as a free lunch. “To be able to serve a need in an unbiased, nonjudgmental way … that’s the purpose,” said Kris Pursel, pastor at Ranck’s, “That’s the message behind ‘Love and Care Is Found Here,’” he said, referring to the tagline on the yard signs the church has put out to advertise the new free lunch program. “Free Drive Thru Lunch” reads the yard sign outside the church. The free lunches will be handed out on the second Saturday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or until the lunches are gone. T he church has a drive-through portico on the north side, where the lunches are easily distributed to recipients in cars. Each person in the vehicle may receive a lunch. The next free lunch event will be
held on Saturday, Jan. 11. The effort is led by Dee Kopicz and Anne Folker with help from Lisa Kurtz and a few other volunteers who meet on the Friday before a lunch distribution to make lunches for at least 50 recipients. Kopicz reported that the November lunch preparation involved five volunteers making sandwiches for 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of packing bags with the sandwiches; fruit; a snack, such as chips or pretzels; a bottle of water; and a dessert. T he November distribution included Halloween candy, and the December lunch bags contained Christmas candy. According to Kopicz, Ranck’s members tend to be mission minded, supporting local organizations such as CrossNet Ministries and Align Pregnancy Services and sending Christmas cards to veterans in hospice. Kurtz explained that the congregation takes part in the Arc Angel project that provides gifts
Serving up free lunches every second Saturday at Ranck’s United Methodist Church are (from left) Amy Lanser,
See Ranck’s UMC pg 2 Dee Kopicz, Patty Frybarger, and Lisa Kurtz.
With education fair, local Christian schools are organizing and uniting
Making seniors comfortable “I want (seniors) to have a space (at Welcome Home Thrift & More),” said Alisha Wambolt, executive director of the thrift store. “Surprisingly, over the last year, several widows and other seniors have come in saying, ‘It’s so cold out that I don’t want to be outside, but I don’t want to just sit at home,’” Wambolt explained. She noted that seniors are looking for something to do, but they may not be able to make a commitment to volunteer. In response, Wambolt pictured an area where seniors could relax
BY JEFF FALK
Checking out the new senior area at Welcome Home Thrift are volunteers
Christian schools in Lancaster County have never really been competitors. Now they’re working together to align their missions and streamline their efforts. The upcoming Christian Education Fair is an event that’s designed to draw strength from numbers, explore and promote the increasing popularity of Christian education and provide
See Welcome Home Thrift pg 4 (from left) Eileen Mudryk, Ann Roseboro, and Susan Heydenreich.
families with learning opportunities that are aligned with their beliefs and their children’s needs. “It’s not that we were against each other ; it ’s we weren’t working together,” said Jill Armstrong, Lancaster County Christian School’s events and communication coordinator and one of the organizers of the event. “I just think there wasn’t an intentional collaboration. We See Christian Education Fair pg 3
VINYL FLOORING - Style & Value
Over 60 Options In Stock Tile & Wood Look Great for kitchens, living areas, dining rooms & bathrooms
FREE ESTIMATE FOR YOUR INSTALL!
FREE Gallon Performance Brand Sparkle floor cleaner with vinyl purchase (only in January by mentioning this ad)
FlorHaus.com M, T, W, F 8–4, Th 8–7, Sat 8-Noon 40 Glenbrook Rd (Rt 772) Leola, PA 17540
(717) 656-7077 #PA033474
R113974
Highly Durable
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JAN. 8, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
GDN
BY ANN MEAD ASH