Penn Manor JANUARY 1, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 36
In the fight against food insecurity, public relations is a superpower BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Penn Manor, Donegal, Warwick, Columbia and Lancaster to prohen you hear the phrase vide students with a meal kit “public relations,” you called a Power Pack. The kit is probably picture a drab stuffed with healthy ingredients corporate press statement or for an easy-to-make meal, as well product placement in a celebrity’s as fresh produce and a few snacks, Instagram post. In the 21st cen- and the Power Packs are distribtury, the relationship between uted to food-insecure students to consumers and commercial inter- make sure they won’t go hungry ests has developed into a complex over the weekend without access dynamic that is a to free meals in the pre re quis i te for cafeteria. During success in nearly the 2023-24 school “They’ve raised every industry. The year, Power Packs awareness and world of public relaProject distributed they’ve raised tions may include approximately insincere speeches 440,000 pounds some funds for and unsubtle of food, and the Power Packs, ad ve r t i s e m e n t s , Hempfield branch which will really but people’s access alone serves hunto information is a dreds of families enable us to powerful force - a in the Hempfield do more in the force that a group School District community.” of local college stuevery week. dents is wielding to The primary goal fight food insecuof the Millersville rity in the Lancaster community. PRSSA chapter’s campaign was In 2024, Millersville Univer- to generate monetary donations sity’s Public Relations Student for the Power Packs Project ahead Society of America (PRSSA) of the nonprofit’s initiatives chapter launched a public rela- during the holiday season. The tions campaign for Power Packs students’ campaign involved two Project, a nonprofit organization strategies: assemble a selection that aims to eliminate hunger in of enticing gift baskets from local schools throughout Lancaster, businesses, and overhaul Power Lebanon and York counties. Packs Project’s public engagePower Packs Project partners ment by crafting promotional with local school districts such as content. Hempfield, Lampeter-Strasburg, PR SSA members sold the
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
other novelties. Gearhart added that many patrons paid generously and vocalized their support for Power Packs Project and its work in the community. The second piece of the students’ campaign involved an effort to establish a digital presence for Power Packs Project. Prior to collecting basket items, PRSSA members visited the organization’s warehouse to film volunteers and get footage for promotional content such as Instagram reels and YouTube videos.
Whether you are a lifelong resident of Lancaster County or a tourist who has spent a day visiting local attractions, you have likely crossed paths with members of the Plain community. Amish and Mennonite groups make up a significant portion of the county’s population, and various unique customs distinguish Plain community members from other locals. Although most people have seen a horse and buggy or passed a homestead operated by farmers who wear distinct wide-brim hats and suspenders, many aspects of the Plain community’s culture are unknown to the greater community. In most Amish and Mennonite dwellings, two books can be found prominently displayed on the mantle: the Bible and “Martyrs Mirror.” “Martyrs Mirror” may not be as famous - or as old - as its bookshelf neighbor, but the book has remained a significant piece of the Anabaptist faith for centuries. “Martyrs Mirror” was first
See PRSSA pg 4
See Candlelight pg 3
Millersville University’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter raised money for Power Packs Project by selling gift baskets during the annual holiday market on campus in December.
gift baskets during Millersville University’s Holiday Maker’s Market on Dec. 7 and 8, raising more than $1,000 for Power Packs Project. “Our original goal was to raise $500,” said Joshua Gearhart, president of the Millersville PRSSA chapter. “I’m happy to report that we smashed that goal.” The baskets included tickets to local experiences such as a one-night stay at the Lancaster Arts Hotel and local wine tastings, as well as a game-worn Hershey Bears hockey jersey and
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