According to Kerri Burns, market director at The Factory Ministries, 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, it takes a community to keep the market shelves full and ready for customers. "I feel like I have a front-row seat to the generosity of our community every day," said Burns.

Burns cited the 2023 Thanksgiving food collection as an example of that generosity. "We collected almost 10,000 pounds of food just for Thanksgiving," said Burns, who noted that a number of local organizations, including the Christian Motorcyclists Association, schools in the Pequea Valley School District, up to eight churches, the Paradise Lions Club, Lancaster Project for the Needy, several area businesses, and one farm in Maryland, all took part in creating 130 Thanksgiving meals to give out.

While Burns finds the holiday giving wonderfully overwhelming, she acknowledged that the market needs donations year round to keep going. "November and December are the giving months, and then it drops off," Burns said. "Every day the market is open, 800 to 1,000 pounds (of food) leaves the market." The Factory Market is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for four hours each day. During that time, three clients visit per hour by appointment. More than 35 families per week shop with a market volunteer. Each family has a designated quantity of Factory Bucks to spend in certain areas of the market. The market is regularly stocked with food items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, juice, and cheese, along with personal care items such as hand sanitizer, shampoo, and toilet paper. Paper towels are also available, and the market offers birthday celebrations in a bag, which include cake mix, party hats, cake frosting, and candles.

Each month, Burns creates a list of specific market needs, which is posted to "The Factory Ministries" Facebook page. The January list includes peanut butter, hearty soups, cooking oil and spray, sugar, flour, and laundry soap. "People can drop items in The Factory lobby any time that suits them throughout the month," explained Burns, who also drops lists at banks, thrift shops, and other local entities. Additionally, she organizes two to four monthly food drives working with schools, churches, businesses, and local organizations. Although Shady Maple Farm Market provides about 500 pounds of produce a month, Burns said that in Lancaster County, she would like to access more fresh fruits and vegetables, and she is looking for donations of those food items.

Another need is for volunteers to help in a variety of areas. "(We need) drivers, stockers, and volunteers to work with shoppers at market appointments," said Burns, who noted she has seen friends, spouses, and others volunteer together. She is also looking for individuals or groups willing to host food drives. "I will give them the bags and the list (of needed items)," said Burns, who added she would also like to give interested parties tours of the facility. "I would love people to see how we use their donations," she said. Individuals who are interested in volunteering, hosting, or touring may email Burns at kerri@thefactoryministries.com.

Readers who would like to learn more about The Factory and its mission may visit https://thefactoryministries.com.