Neighbors helping neighbors fight hunger
JERSEY SHORE, PA – Members from Clinton County’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP delivered home-grown, fresh vegetables that included sweet peppers, squash, zucchini, and cucumbers to the New Love Center in Jersey Shore.
The New Love Center works every day to combat hunger within the region it serves. With six active programs tailored to address a particular need, the center donates over 5,000 pounds of food every month, prepares more than 1,000 home-cooked meals, and serves almost 900 people. The programs include a food bank known as The Pantry, a soup kitchen called The Café, a Military Shares program run by the American Legion, an Elder Share that distributes food boxes for those over 60 years old, and a PB&J and Food Backpack program.
The New Love Center’s programs have been instrumental in helping those in need bridge the food gap, and their programs currently reach more than 60 percent of the households in need for Clinton County.
The fresh vegetables were grown as part of an ongoing partnership between the Clinton County Courts, the Clinton County Probation Office, Clinton County RSVP, and the Clinton County Conservation District. The Conservation District provided the land and donated the plants. The tasks of planting the garden, keeping the garden weeded and watered, and picking the vegetables have been overseen by the County’s Juvenile Probation Department and volunteers from RSVP.
The idea to create this garden came from an initiative supported by President Judge Craig Miller and with support from the Conservation District Board of Directors and the Clinton County Commissioners.
“This is a win-win situation,” said Conservation District Manager Wade Jodun. “This gives at-risk juveniles a means to complete community service hours, the vegetables and labor come via donation, and all the fresh vegetables are used to help families in need here in Clinton County.
Mike Vail, RSVP Program Manager, explained the sometimes-unrecognized benefits to the senior volunteers. “This joint effort opens a path for folks 55 and older to get involved and make a positive difference in their community. It assists them to connect with others, helps keep them active and healthy, and allows them to see the impact of their service.”
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP involvement uplifts communities by bringing people together, strengthening and expanding community services, and providing support to one another. Volunteers join a network of people and organizations committed to the betterment of America.
The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program is open to individuals 55 and older. Those interested in volunteering may contact Mike Vail by email at VailM@diakon.org or phone: (570) 419-5941.
If you’d like to volunteer at the New Love Center, make a one-time gift or sign up as a recurring donor. If you or someone you know needs access to food or other assistance, contact the New Love Center at (570) 772-3275.
