The Southern End encompasses a network of business owners, neighborhoods and farmers that is as rich in friendships as it is fertile soil. Familiar faces and deeply rooted bonds serve as the foundation of the many small communities scattered across the rolling hills and rural countryside. Although residents of the area are more than likely to see their neighbors and storefront owners at church and local farm shows, how many of us are aware of struggles that our neighbors face at home and in their daily lives?

Nonprofit organization Solanco Neighborhood Ministries (SNM) recently announced A Mile in My Shoes, a new event that seeks to bring the Southern End community closer together and to highlight the specific needs of its members. The fundraiser will be held on Thursday, May 2, at Wesley Church, 1104 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville. A Mile in My Shoes will kick off with breakfast from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m., followed by a presentation from SNM executive director Teresa Dolan. Dolan will highlight the organization's many programs that address issues such as food insecurity and offer educational resources to local residents. The presentation will also include testimonials from individuals whom SNM has served through its initiatives before wrapping up at 9:45 a.m.

"The fundraiser is a big part, but we realized people don't know all of what we offer the community," Dolan said. "The food bank is huge, but we also have so many wraparound services. We thought this would be a good way to highlight them and engage local businesses as well."

The presentation will also feature interactive activities that will give attendees an opportunity to work through real-life scenarios faced by local families on a daily basis. The number of people served by SNM has steadily climbed in recent years; at Easter time, the organization distributed meals to 97 families, whereas roughly 70 families requested meals last spring. Additionally, the number of calls received by SNM has nearly doubled since 2022. Dolan said she attributes the growing numbers to the organization's move to a more visible location in downtown Quarryville, as well as the ever-rising costs of food and basic necessities. "We want to show people the different ways we fulfill our mission to engage families, meet our neighbors' needs and to give people hope," Dolan added. Dolan will also share an announcement regarding a new matching gift opportunity at SNM.

SNM requests those interested in purchasing tickets or sponsoring a table do so online by Thursday, April 25. For additional information or assistance with registration, visit https://tinyurl.com/mileinmyshoes24 or call the SNM office at 717-786-4308.