As part of an ongoing program, members of the Parkesburg Lions Club will dedicate their next community bench on Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. at the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC), 714 Main St., Parkesburg. The OAFC, which opened its current location in December 2012, is a volunteer-run food cupboard that serves residents in need in the Octorara Area School District region. An open house will follow the dedication.

The bench will be dedicated to Judy Dougherty, who has been the OAFC director since its opening. "Judy has worked tirelessly as the director of the food cupboard and does an absolutely incredible job," said Lions Club president Robin McKenna. "The club voted to honor her with a bench in her name, and where would be better placement than the Octorara Area Food Cupboard?"

According to the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB), OAFC began in 2005 as a monthly mobile food pantry that would set up in a parking lot in Parkesburg. In 2010, Dougherty took over as lead volunteer of the mobile pantry. Through a collaborative effort between the CCFB, the Parkesburg POINT youth center and local businesses, churches and residents, the OAFC opened a permanent building on Main Street with Dougherty as its director in 2012.

To learn more about the OAFC, visit twww.facebook.com/OctoraraAreaFoodCupboard or http://www.octfood.com.

The new bench is one of several that have recently been placed in the Parkesburg area by the club, which has been collecting plastics to earn free benches as part of a recycling program offered by the Trex Company.

The Lions Club is also planning a first-time "tingo" event on Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. in fellowship hall at the Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St., Parkesburg. "(Tingo is) a combination of tea and bingo and we are doing it as fundraiser," said Lions Club member Karen Fronefield, noting that attendees are encouraged to dress in tea attire.

A fee will be charged per ticket, which will include tea, a light lunch, refreshments and 10 games of bingo. Prizes will be gift cards donated by local businesses.

Proceeds will be used to help fund the Parkesburg Halloween Parade.  For tickets, message the "Parkesburg Lions - New & Improved" Facebook page or contact Fronefield at 484-678-4231.

Ongoing programs of the Parkesburg Lions Club include collecting eyeglasses that are recycled and distributed to help people in need and collecting plastics for additional community benches.

The Lions also sponsor the annual Parkesburg Halloween Parade and Easter egg hunt and provide scholarships for seniors at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

Most recently, club members offered free eye screenings for children at the OABEST Expo held on May 18 and held a White Cane Day collection on April 20 at the new Parkesburg Grocery Outlet to benefit organizations that assist the visually impaired.

"The motto of Lions is 'We Serve.' This is the intent behind all the club does," McKenna said. "These things are ongoing along with helping with any special requests from community members where the club can be of assistance (and supporting) other community activities and organizations." 

The Parkesburg Lions Club is always looking for new members. To learn more, message the Facebook page, contact any Lions Club member or attend a club meeting. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Parkesburg Baptist Church. Those with questions may contact McKenna at 484-247-4080.