Behind the Scenes of Salvation Army Renovo: Volunteers and Community Effort Fuel Monthly Food Distribution
From Staff Reports
The majority of western Clinton County residents have likely noticed the various programs that the Salvation Army Renovo Service Extension holds throughout each month. Dozens are helped numerous times throughout the month, while the flagship Fresh Express program alone helps up to 160 households each month.
Still, many people would be surprised just how much work goes on behind the scenes led by Robin Davenport-Program Office Coordinator/Case and her steady supply of volunteers.
Once a month the Salvation Army offers the Fresh Express program in which they get 8,000-9,000 pounds of food from the Central PA Food Bank. Multiple bags of food are passed along to each of those that take advantage of the offering. This is the most visible program as vehicles are typically lined up along Erie Avenue, waiting their turn in line to get a major upgrade to their family’s monthly food items.
Of course, plenty of prep work and organization happens prior to the monthly Central PA Food drop. Recipients are asked to fill out a USD form to check into their family size and income, but this is where the small town Renovo touch of Robin Davenport begins to shine.
“We don’t turn anyone down, we always have food left over, so if God gives it to us, we’re going to give it out to those in need,” Davenport said at the October Fresh Express. In fact, every Friday the extension unit offers various types of bread and pastries, put on the porch of the 7th Street Methodist Church where the Salvation Army operates, free for anyone to pick up.
The real magic of the monthly Fresh Express starts as people are already lined up along Erie Avenue in their cars, or by foot lined up along 7th Street.
That’s where anywhere from two to nearly three dozen volunteers wait patiently, no matter what the elements and temperatures are throwing at them that day.
When the Central PA Food Bank truck arrives it typically has nine full sized pallets of food, each packed with certain meats, vegetables and just about any type of food that one can think of. Once all nine pallets are dropped off, they are lined up next to the alley, set in place for the Renovo volunteers.
From there, the dozens of volunteers began opening, sorting and bagging thousands of pounds of food. Davenport said she has a little over 50 volunteers, with nearly all of them never missing an event where they are needed. “ We couldn’t do this with less than 30 volunteers, thankfully God always gives us at least 32, they are dedicated and caring, hardworking people that come here to help the less fortunate of our community” Davenport explained.
Each month the Renovo unit receives about 396 hours a month of volunteer time from the 52 members cleared to help.
Davenport explained that the Salvation Army is big on second chances and depending on the crime; even people with records are more than welcomed to help. All volunteers must have a police and child clearance background check.
As of October, the volunteers of the Renovo Salvation Army have donated 3,564 hours, with an estimated $119,358 of donated time through volunteerism. Together, the Renovo Extension and its volunteers have distributed 63,024 pounds of food so far in 2024.
The love and respect that Davenport has for her volunteers, and they in return, is the obvious heart of the operation. If you talk to Davenport, none of what happens would be happening if it weren’t for the volunteers. If you ask anyone that shows up prepared to move 9,000 pounds of food, its Davenport’s drive and friendly demeanor that shape just how successful they are each month.
“Robin is great, this wouldn’t be here and happening without her” says longtime food bank volunteer Annie Scrimshaw. Scrimshaw has helped with food handouts for years and praised Davenport for her efforts.
“No matter who comes in the door, if she doesn’t have answers she finds the answer, food, money for utilities, housing, if she doesn’t have answers, she’ll find where you can get an answer” Scrimshaw said of the case worker.
Megan Lange recently moved to the area from York County and found the help that she received from the Renovo Salvation Army so beneficial that she now volunteers at the various donations that the unit holds.
“I needed some help setting up our homestead when we moved here. Robin helped us out with their ‘Journey for Hope’ program and it was exactly what we needed” Lange said of the assistance that she received. “My mother ran a similar non-profit for over 20 years in York County and I helped her, I can tell you first hand that the best way to give back is to just do that, do what you can in your community, it ends up benefitting so many people and then the community in general” Lange explained.
The majority of those lifting the thousands of pounds of food each month and carrying them to the vehicles and picking them up are retired, lifetime residents of Renovo. With Davenport calling the shots, the impact likely can’t even be measured as they all work to make western Clinton County a better place for everyone, whether they receive assistance through the Renovo Unit or not.
Anyone needing assistance is welcomed to stop by the Renovo office and speak to Davenport, where seemingly no one leaves empty handed.
