Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
MAY 22, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
New resource box includes nonperishables, books and more BY FRANCINE FULTON
Mr. Twin Valley takes part in district-wide bike ride BY FRANCINE FULTON
P
eople in need of free food and toiletries or even a book to read are invited to visit the sharing box that was recently installed at the Birdsboro campus of Moving Communities to Christ (MCC) Church. The box is currently filled with basic dry and canned goods, including cereal, peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables
some groceries until Thursday,’ and people within the community started responding (with offers of food),” noted Hess. “The community really supports the community here in Birdsboro. We are a community of generosity. It’s phenomenal. We wanted to be part of that and be part of that support.”
Not only did Jack Hafer win the title of Mr. Twin Valley during an event presented by the Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Mini-THON Club, but he also raised more than $4,000 for Four Diamonds, a charity that assists children who have cancer and their families. As part of the competition, candidates were required to raise money for Four Diamonds, with every dollar donated counting as a point. Jack announced that if he reached his fundraising goal of $2,000, he would bike across the Twin Valley School District, which he did prior to the event, covering three counties, seven townships and 23 miles. “The bike ride was a precursor to (the Mr. Twin Valley event). It was something I did for publicity and to fundraise,” Jack explained. “Once I hit $2,000, I said I would bike across the school district, which in my mind was a lofty goal.” He g a t h e re d d o n a t i o n s through his Instagram page, which was linked to the Four Diamonds donation page. “Family, friends and friends of friends (donated) and people shared it around in their Instagram friend groups,” Jack noted.
See Resource box pg 3
See Mr. Twin Valley pg 4
“The community really supports the community here in Birdsboro.”
Displaying food items that can be found in the box are (from left) Anna Kirleis, Adalynn Kirleis and Lynnette Hess.
are also invited to donate food and books. Additionally, if the box is not stocked or specific items are needed, visitors can write down what they need on a poster located inside the pantry door. “There is a sign-up sheet so that if people need something specific like socks, diapers, milk or cotton
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swabs, they can just let us know,” said Hess, adding that her phone number is provided on the sheet as well as that of Anna Kirleis, pantry coordinator. Hess said that the idea to have a free sharing box was in response to Facebook posts, where local people often share their needs. “Someone posted, ‘I just need
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and soup, as well as health and beauty aids and books for people of all ages. Once a refrigeration unit is installed, people will also have a choice of frozen food and farm-fresh chicken eggs. “It is open 24/7, and you can come whenever you want,” said Lynnette Hess, MCC Birdsboro campus director, noting that the plywood shed was built by church members. “We all came together and loaded it up (with food and books).” T h e s t r u c t u re h a s b e e n dubbed the MCC Give and Take Community Resource Box because it contains items other than food and because community members
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VOL XXXII • NO 16