Giving Back: Renovo Council of Churches – Lending a helping hand
By Christopher Miller
“Lending a helping hand.” That is the unofficial mission of the Renovo Council of Churches, also known as the RCC. The Record recently had the pleasure of speaking with Nora Jesberger, Secretary, Renovo Council of Churches.
The Renovo Council of Churches is a group in the western end of Clinton County that has representation from all of the churches in the greater Renovo and western Clinton County area.
The major thing that the RCC does, Nora explained, is to operate the Good Neighbor Center Food Bank. “It fits under our umbrella, and we oversee the food bank from the old Episcopal Church Social Room, which was Deeded to the Council of Churches,” Nora said. “The church sat empty for a while until the Salvation Army leased it, and they are right next door to us so we help each other out and we exchange volunteers for our Food Bank and the Fresh Express program back and forth.”
Operating a food bank is not the only thing that the RCC does in the greater Renovo area. “When our churches need support we can lean on each other and people always comment on what a great community we have here,” Nora said. “We have all of our churches here and the people who represent them, just regular members, and we coordinate among ourselves with the churches and it works nicely when our churches need the support.”
Nora further explained, “during Advent time and Lent we rotate churches and host the community at different churches and listen to the message being given by a minister.” “Our Advent services are Wednesday evenings at 7p.m., and the offering that is taken goes into the RCC fund for emergency fuel oil heat,” Nora explained.
“We also have a fund that provides assistance to people who travel for medical treatment to help make sure they can get to appointments,” Nora said.
“The RCC also coordinates efforts to have Vacation Bible School for the kids, if one organization has it then we generally will help to provide resources and help as needed,” Nora explained.
The public is always encouraged to come to a meeting of the RCC, which meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 12pm, at the Lutheran Church on 11th Street in Renovo. “We had a very nice outpouring of volunteers at the Food Bank today (Thursday),” Nora mentioned. “We could always use volunteers here and there.”
Donations also help the RCC achieve their mission throughout the community they serve. “We have people who mail us donations that can go towards the Food Bank, or any expenses that might occur as we help people in need,” said Nora. “Berkshire Hathaway Energy are great supporters of our Food bank, they always send volunteer helpers every month and have even granted us money in the past that went to the RCC.”
Lending a helping hand is truly the heart and soul of the Renovo Council of Churches.
To contact the Renovo Salvation Army or the Renovo Council of Churches, feel free to send either a message on Facebook. “Reach out to us or Salvation Army on Facebook, either way, we will contact you back,” Nora explained.
Renovo Council of Churches
PO Box 206
Renovo, PA 17764
Facebook: @goodneighborcenterrenovo
https://www.facebook.com/goodneighborcenterrenovo
Meetings:
3rd Thursday of the month
12pm
Lutheran Church on 11th Street, Renovo
Salvation Army Renovo
PO Box 139
Renovo, PA 17764
570-923-1011
Facebook:@TheSalvationArmyRenovoUnit https://www.facebook.com/TheSalvationArmyRenovoUnit
