Lifeways provides food and more to PV students

On Oct. 4, Charlotte Lapp, who oversees the Lifeways Food Pack Program in Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), was directing more than 15 volunteers to pack 79 bags of food items for students at Salisbury and Paradise elementary schools.

"Today we are starting with 79, but that number will go up next week," said Lapp, who noted that nearly 50 packs go to Paradise and more than 30 go to Salisbury. Packs are made available to any family that signs up for the program, but most are in the reduced-cost meal program. Social workers at both schools work to provide Lifeways with a list of students to receive packs.

Lapp works to keep the food provided by Lifeways at a certain nutritional standard. Regularly included items may be macaroni and cheese, microwavable meals, soup, noodle dishes, juice, applesauce, granola bars, crackers and cheese, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Hygiene kits, which include a new towel, a hairbrush, a bar of soap, a container of shampoo, toothpaste, and a toothbrush, were packed by early October for delivery at the end of the month. At Christmas, a blanket, a pair of sweatpants, and two pairs of socks are given to each participating child. Volunteers, who are always needed, gather at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville, each Wednesday at 9 a.m. from October through the end of the school year to pack the bags of food to be sent home on weekends. Lapp said it takes about an hour to complete a week's packing.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the program lost touch with area donors and nearly ran out of funds. To keep Lifeways afloat, Lapp and others interested in the program began connecting to local businesses and local representatives of national chains, and the funds began to come in. Lapp also reached out to churches connected to The Factory Ministries.

"We are always looking for donations," noted Lapp. "Because we are item specific, I would rather have (funds) so I can go and purchase what we need." Lapp said that donations to Lifeways may be made through Ridgeview Mennonite Church and designated for "Lifeways/Food Pack Program."

Individuals who would like to volunteer may just come to Ridgeview Mennonite at the appointed time or call 717-768-3371 with any questions.