On Saturday, Sept. 21, you can enjoy dinner while supporting a great cause. A Fall Benefit Banquet for Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community will be held at Manheim Brethren in Christ Church, 54 N. Penryn Road, Manheim. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the meal will be served at 5:30 p.m.

The homestyle meal will be prepared by volunteers as well as Peters' BBQ and Amy's Mixing Bowl. The menu will feature cranberry-orange sweet bread with vanilla icing streusel, sliced roast beef with savory brown beef gravy, gourmet cheesy potatoes, sweet and sour saucy green beans with bacon, a broccoli-cauliflower-carrot blend, creamy coleslaw, homemade soft dinner rolls with butter, a choice of desserts and drinks.

Following the meal, a short program will take place with guest speakers, personal sharing and special music. This year's banquet will feature themed baskets in both silent and live auctions. Baskets will include homemade and donated items from local businesses and individuals, experiences and gift cards to local attractions and retail stores, as well as passes to events and local entertainment hot spots, said Kris Wilson, director of advancement for Mt. Hope. "Also, part of the fundraiser (will include) catered meals that attendees will be able to bid on which are offered in homes of those with a personal connection to Mt. Hope as well as homemade pies, cakes and breads," she commented.

The banquet provides much-needed funding for the retirement community, Wilson said. "The mission of Mt. Hope will be shared, and attendees will also hear personal stories of how Mt. Hope touched people's lives when they needed answers and provided a way to help families in need," she stated. "Mt. Hope continues to be an inviting and welcoming place for everyone who needs our services. We continue strong in our founding mission to provide affordable, quality care in an environment based on Christ's model of care for 'the least of these,' regardless of someone's resources or ever-changing financial and personal circumstances."

This will be Mt. Hope's third annual banquet fundraiser, she said, adding, "It's our largest giving opportunity for the community to support our work. We will strive to exceed our goal of $55,000, which is what was so generously shared last year."

People attending the banquet will have the opportunity to hear about everything Mt. Hope has accomplished over the past few years. "We will share the most recent updates and news about our endeavor to expand with building two new independent, single-floor living duplex cottages on our campus," Wilson said. "Come ready to see architectural renderings of the newly anticipated cottages as well as where we are in the process with the expansion and the most up-to-date timeline and fundraising goals."

According to Wilson, Mt. Hope provides more than $1 million in charitable care every year thanks in part to community support. "For the most part, Mt. Hope is supported by Medicaid state assistance," she explained. "A large, ever-growing gap exists in what the state reimburses long-term care facilities and the actual cost of nursing care, and about $200 helps bridge the gap for one resident for one day of nursing care. Raising funds to assist in helping residents who are not able to afford the cost of their care or benevolent care continues to be an increasing challenge."

To reserve individual, couple or group seating at the banquet, individuals may contact Wilson at 717-682-8026 or email advancement@mthopenazarene.org. There is an opportunity to be an event or table sponsor, reserving six seats per table for a set donation. The benefit meal is free; however, attendees at the banquet will have an opportunity to financially support the ongoing work of Mt. Hope, and there is a suggested donation to support the cost of the banquet. The deadline for banquet reservations is Saturday, Sept. 14.