Faith, Food & Future: The New Love Center Hosts Inaugural Spring Benefit Event to Fight Hunger
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN — The New Love Center (TNLC), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Jersey Shore that’s committed to addressing food insecurity in Clinton and Lycoming Counties, held its first-ever Spring Benefit event on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Red Eye Center in Lock Haven. More than 70 guests came together for an evening of fellowship and community support, raising vital funds to help TNLC continue to provide food and essential services to vulnerable residents across nine communities in the area.
TNLC addresses food insecurity in the bi-county region through six key programs. Pantry Choice Food Distribution allows clients to choose the foods that best meet their needs, offering a more personalized and dignified shopping experience. The Fresh Food Farmacy empowers individuals to make healthy choices and also provides specialized support for individuals with diabetes and other medical conditions through a partnership with Geisinger. Each Friday, the Backpack Program distributes over 200 backpacks filled with food to elementary and middle school students in Jersey Shore, ensuring they have enough to eat over the weekend. The Elder Share program provides food boxes to individuals over the age of 60, while the Mobile Food Pantry reaches those who are food insecure and unable to travel to a traditional food pantry. Additionally, The Café offers a welcoming environment where the public can enjoy coffee and nutritious lunches on weekdays at no cost.
This first annual benefit included appetizers, a catered dinner from Williamsport’s Eat & Run Catering, dessert, and a program honoring TNLC Vice President Alice Fox-Cline for providing over a decade of transformative leadership. The benefit event also featured U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, who delivered the evening’s keynote address.
The New Love Center (TNLC) honored Alice Fox-Cline for her decade of dedicated service to the organization and the wider community. Alice has long been a pivotal force within TNLC, serving as Board President, Vice-President, volunteer, and more, following her years of devoted community service in the medical field, church volunteer work, and nonprofit leadership.
In 2014, after witnessing the closure of The Love Center, Alice felt compelled to take action. She was part of a group that came together to brainstorm and pray about ways to keep the organization’s mission alive. These discussions and the time spent in prayer led to the establishment of The New Love Center. Alice was instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and she faithfully served as Board President of The New Love Center.
During her tenure, Alice was known for her willingness to answer emergency calls, assist neighbors facing food insecurity, and build crucial partnerships, all while making sure the center offered fresh, nutritious food to community members in need. She consistently led by example, often being “one of the first volunteers to arrive and one of the last to leave,” according to TNLC President Dave Winkleman.
As board president, Alice was firmly committed to TNLC’s mission as a place “where the love of Christ provides for all.” She became known for demonstrating God’s love through treating clients with dignity, respect, compassion, and a passionate commitment to “fight hunger and feed hope.”
Alice delivered a heartfelt speech at the inaugural TNLC spring benefit event, reflecting on her years of service with the New Love Center. She began by expressing gratitude for the board of directors, staff, and volunteers who have been instrumental in the organization’s success. She highlighted that the board always approached challenges with a “yes” attitude, figuring out solutions after committing to help those in need.
Alice emphasized the extraordinary commitment of TNLC’s volunteers and staff, noting that part-time employees consistently went above and beyond their expected hours. “What we have always said is, we’re a very lean machine because all our employees, although we label them ‘part-time’, they’ve given so much more of their time than we could ever say. That’s the blessing we have in the staff that we’ve hired,” she shared.
A significant part of Alice’s speech centered on the importance of building relationships with clients, highlighting that TNLC’s mission is about much more than just providing food. “We have always made it a point as we look at the people that we serve, that we have a relationship with them,” she emphasized. Under Alice’s leadership, TNLC volunteers have followed her example by forming genuine connections with the clients who utilize any of the services offered through TNLC.
Alice also expressed gratitude to her family and close friends for their unwavering support, with special acknowledgment of her husband, Jerry, who has consistently stood by her side throughout her work with TNLC. She recognized essential partners as well, including Richie Musser, president of Kirby-Smith Associates, and his team. Kirby-Smith Associates is a spiritually-based financial and fundraising service that offers consulting and educational support to organizations, schools, and communities.
Alice concluded with a testament to her faith and the enduring impact of TNLC, declaring, “This is a ministry that has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.”
U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson served as the keynote speaker for the event. As the Pennsylvania Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and a senior member of the Education & Workforce Committee, Congressman Thompson brings valuable knowledge and expertise to address the challenges faced by rural businesses, communities, and families in order to improve the lives of citizens in the Fifteenth District.
During his remarks, Congressman Thompson commended TNLC’s faith-based approach, noting its alignment with Biblical principles that call us to care for those in need. He recognized that TNLC’s impact extends well beyond providing food, highlighting the ways the organization helps people through networking and connecting them to potential employment or educational opportunities.
His keynote address covered crucial topics such as food security, agriculture, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Congressman Thompson stressed the vital role agriculture plays in Pennsylvania’s economy, pointing out that it generates $132.5 billion annually and supports more than 593,000 jobs. “America’s farm families and rural communities really are the backbone of our country, and the importance of Pennsylvania agriculture cannot be understated. When you look at food security, that’s what our farmers and ranchers provide,” he said.
Thompson explained that SNAP has the potential to be more than just a food assistance program—it can also serve as a pathway to new opportunities for recipients. He advocated for implementing work requirements for able-bodied SNAP beneficiaries and emphasized the importance of creating employment opportunities and expanding access to career & technical education for them as well. By supporting these initiatives, Thompson hopes to help individuals overcome poverty and eventually become self-sufficient, eliminating the need for ongoing reliance on SNAP for food assistance.
“Promoting pathways to employment is the best way to help individuals climb the economic ladder out of poverty,” Thompson said. “I’m a strong believer in work requirements for those who can work— those who are able-bodied, those who don’t have preschool children at home, and those who don’t have a disabled relative that they’re caring for in their home. These are able-bodied folks, probably between the ages of 18 and 64, who deserve an opportunity, a shot at the American dream, and a pathway out of poverty while having us assist them with their nutritional needs.”
Thompson discussed recent legislative efforts he’s been involved with, including expanding SNAP eligibility to formerly convicted felons. He advocated for removing what he called the “draconian, outdated ban” that prevents those with felony convictions from receiving SNAP benefits. Thompson explained that enabling individuals who have served their prison sentences to have access to nutritional assistance can help prevent them from returning to old habits. In his view, providing this type of support can reduce recidivism, which ultimately saves society the high costs of incarceration.
He also addressed the issue of income-related disqualification from food assistance programs, describing these as “poverty cliffs.” Thompson explained that he is working to address these through the implementation of a new Farm Bill. He elaborated: “We have a great pathway to success, but what happens is we’ve created what I’ve always called a ‘poverty cliff’ — when people are still living in pretty tough financial situations, but if they make a dollar, a penny, or a nickel too much, then what happens? The rug is pulled out from underneath them, reinforcing people to stay in poverty, being stuck in dependency, and not having a chance at the American dream.”
Thompson’s goal is to implement changes to SNAP that reflect compassionate policy reforms designed to support vulnerable populations and provide them with pathways to opportunity. He emphasized the need to move away from a system where earning just slightly more wages can disqualify individuals and families from benefits, leaving them with gainful employment but still unable to afford basic needs.
Rep. Thompson illustrated his point by exemplifying a common scenario faced by families with disabled children in PA. A previous policy created an issue where a disabled child’s part-time earnings count against the household’s SNAP eligibility. He noted that this policy effectively penalizes families who are trying to help their disabled children gain job skills and save for their futures.
“We change that with my Farm Bill, and I’m proud of that. We reinforce success. If you make a little more money that would normally put you over the limit for all your benefits, we’re not going to take those benefits away. We’re going to keep you going until one day you wake up and you don’t need the government,” he explained.
Thompson viewed the TNLC’s approach as embodying biblical principles of caring for those in need, referencing the scriptural understanding that while the poor will always be among us, our goal should be to help them find a way out of poverty as quickly as possible.
Sue Snyder, a Fresh Food Farmacy client turned TNLC volunteer, shared a powerful personal testimony about how the Fresh Food Farmacy program transformed her health. She described the Fresh Food Farmacy’s unique approach to tackling both food insecurity and health management. According to Sue, the program treats food as medicine, helping people manage and prevent diet-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes through a comprehensive solution that integrates nutritious food, education, and clinical support.
“The problem the Food Farmacy addresses is many people struggle to access nutritious food, which can have severe consequences to their health, especially those with diet-responsive conditions like myself,” Sue said. “The program focuses on providing individuals with enough healthy food to make nutritious meals at home. Along with healthy food, participants receive access to a clinical care team, including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers, in conjunction with the Geisinger Medical Center to help us overcome clinical and social barriers to better health.”
Highlighting her own transformative experience, Sue revealed that when she first joined the Fresh Food Farmacy program, her A1C levels were consistently above 11. Through the Fresh Food Farmacy’s approach, she has since reduced her A1C to 7 and has also lost an impressive 172 pounds.
“Some people have been able to reduce or even eliminate their diabetic medicine through diet and lifestyle changes. The confidence that people gain in managing their health and the health of their families is empowering,” Snyder emphasized, underscoring that the program is more than just providing food– it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their health, gain confidence, and improve their overall wellness.
Sue’s personal journey from being a client of TNLC to becoming a volunteer exemplifies the transformative potential of the Fresh Food Farmacy program. In closing, Sue expressed gratitude, stating, “I feel blessed to not only be a participant but also to volunteer my time now to help others and to give back the kindness I’ve been shown from The New Love Center.”
Dave Bellomo, Community Health Educator for PA AmeriHealth Caritas, has worked closely with TNLC and spoke highly of its effectiveness, especially in comparison to other similar initiatives he has overseen throughout his career. “I can tell you that at The New Love Center, they get the job done. They are making an impact more than you would normally see from other similar facilities,” he said.
Drawing on his professional experience serving disadvantaged communities, Bellomo emphasized that TNLC is a remarkably well-managed organization where donated funds are utilized effectively. “The New Love Center is extremely robust, extremely well done, and when you give $1.00 there, it is well used,” he asserted.
In his role with PA AmeriHealth Caritas, Bellomo oversees community members across a four-county territory, working directly with low-income populations to provide health education. From the very beginning of TNLC’s Fresh Food Farmacy program, he has been actively involved, collaborating with clients to provide essential health education and support.
Bellomo discussed the issue of “food deserts” in the region, using rural communities like Renovo as examples of areas where residents lack access to nutritious food options. He explained that people living in these rural parts of Pennsylvania often have to make tough decisions, such as purchasing cheaper, filling foods instead of more costly but healthier options.
Describing the far-reaching effects of food insecurity, Bellomo said, “What happens is you start to make choices, and these choices not only affect whether or not you are full, but [they also cause] health issues and financial issues, and these issues tend to become generational,” Bellomo said. He stressed that the mission of TNLC isn’t just about feeding people but about preventing generational cycles of dependency and health issues.
Bellomo stressed that the organization is truly “saving families and saving our community” by offering more than just meals—TNLC provides clients with education and ongoing support as well. He underscored the vital role TNLC plays not only in alleviating immediate hunger but also in improving long-term health, financial stability, and the overall well-being of the individuals and families they serve.
At the close of the evening, TNLC President Dave Winkleman expressed his gratitude to everyone who attended the inaugural spring benefit event and underscored how essential ongoing support is for The New Love Center. He acknowledged the program’s sponsors for the event, specifically mentioning Lundy Construction, West Pharmaceutical Services, Anchor Realty, Word of God Community Church, Susquehanna Trailways, and other supporters who’ve helped sustain TNLC’s mission to fight hunger in the community through their generous contributions.
Winkleman emphasized that every dollar donated, every hour spent volunteering, and every prayer raised plays a significant role in not only providing fresh food to neighbors in need but also giving them a sense of hope. He acknowledged the work of TNLC and the many lives it has impacted while also being transparent about the ongoing need to raise funds to sustain TNLC’s budget, purchase food, and provide various services. “We have a lot of different services and a lot of the things we offer, and a lot of lives that we get the privilege of impacting. Unfortunately, to continue to do that, we have to raise the funds to sustain the budget to buy the food and to implement the services so we can keep doing what we all love to do,” he said.
Winkleman, along with the volunteers and staff of The New Love Center, invite community members to support the mission of TNLC through donations. To contribute online, visit www.thenewlovecenter.com and select the “How To Help” tab at the top of the page. For other ways to give, call the TNLC office at 570-244-8838 or send an email to info@thenewlovecenter.com.
To learn more about the programs available through The New Love Center for food-insecure individuals and families in Clinton and Lycoming Counties, visit www.thenewlovecenter.com/programs/.
