In order to better serve its clients, including those who utilize the food pantry, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries (SNMinistries) will relocate to a new and larger facility at 14 S. Church St., Quarryville. The new site is more centrally located, offers ample parking and will include meeting space where classes and workshops will be offered.

The organization recently kicked off a capital campaign to support the new Community Center. The theme of the campaign is "Faith.Community.Cares." The kickoff event was held in Huffnagle Park, which is situated behind the new building.

"We rent the space at 355 Buck Road in Quarryville near the Quarryville Library," explained Teresa Dolan, SNMinistries executive director. "We are moving about a mile down the road into Quarryville borough (to) the former Masonic Lodge. It is really exciting, and it will allow us to do so much more of what we would like to do. The whole building gives us an additional 3,000 square feet."

Currently, the SNMinistries building includes the food bank, warehouse space and two offices. The new building has three floors, and the first floor will be dedicated exclusively to the food bank. The second floor will offer room for seven offices, a conference room, a large program room and a commercial kitchen. The ministry plans to offer space to partnering organizations that currently offer resources in Lancaster city.

"Where we are now, we are not able to offer any programming or invite other organizations in to have office space and offer their services to our families," Dolan said. "The new building has a larger programming room for 35 to 40 people, and we are hoping to use that for classes, workshops and trainings for clients and the community. There could be a small job fair there. We would like the building to be used for the whole community, not just the low-income families that we currently serve."

Examples of programs that SNMinistries would like to offer include budget and debt management workshops, counseling, job skills training, resume writing classes and Bible studies.

Dolan noted that the building is also more centrally located since more than half of ministry clients are from Quarryville and New Providence. "Our hope with more offices is to bring organizations to us so when our families are (visiting) the food bank, they can meet all in one place," she noted. "It's more convenient and removes time and transportation barriers and allow people to access the services they need."

Dolan noted that the proximity to Huffnagle Park is an added bonus. "Parents can come in and talk, and if their kids are old enough or they bring someone along to watch them, (the children) can go outside and play," she said.

Renovations are already underway at the new location, including making the building ADA compliant. "We anticipate being in there in the fall of 2022," Dolan added.

To learn more about the capital campaign and to follow the building project, visit http://www.solanconeighborhoodministries.org.