Scarecrow Competition Will Help Stock Community Chest

Missy McMahon, owner of The Savory Gourmet in Lititz, wanted to do something for the local residents who support Lititz businesses. "We have a lot of tourists who come to town, but the people who live here are our customers, and we love them," stated McMahon, who decided to combine a seasonal competition with a donation drive for the Lititz Warwick Community Chest, a food pantry for those living in the Warwick School District.

The first scarecrow competition was organized by the Lititz Merchants Association and Venture Lititz in early October. By Oct. 14, Second Friday, more than 20 scarecrows had been put together and stationed in front of local businesses on both Main and Broad streets, with the idea of attracting visitors rather than scaring them away. A basket was placed in front of each scarecrow, and from Oct. 14 through Oct. 24, area residents voted by putting nonperishable foods in the baskets. McMahon explained that on Oct. 24, merchants counted up the number of food items they had received to determine the winner. Olio Olive Oil and Balsamics triumphed in the first scarecrow competition by collecting 70 of the total 250 food items donated to the community chest as a result of the competition.

McMahon said that autumn was the perfect time to hold the competition. "The Lititz Warwick Community Chest is always in need this time of year," she said, adding that putting merchant creativity on display gave residents a reason to visit downtown. "The townspeople (could) visit, have fun, walk around, bring their kids to see (the scarecrows), and then make a donation," she said, noting that the other merchants were happy to jump in and take part. McMahon contacted Pine Hill Farm to provide hay bales, which her husband picked up, hauling three truckloads to her store, where the merchants retrieved them to use in making their scarecrows.

"That's how Lititz works," said McMahon of the merchant and resident participation. "It's just a really great place where everybody is willing to do whatever (is needed) to help each other."

The Lititz Merchants Association is part of Venture Lititz, which works to improve Lititz for all its citizens. More information about the organization may be found at https://lititzpa.com.