CMCL has been invited to take part in the work of Bridge of Hope. This organization is not new to the compassion of CMCLers. Congregations are invited to partner with families at risk of homelessness and to with them, along with a Bridge of Hope case worker. The goal is long term stability, an opportunity to work towards ending homelessness.  There is helpful information about the congregation’s involvement at this site.
Bridge of Hope takes the concern of COVID-19 very seriously and provides helpful guidelines to work at a safe distance, using Zoom for most contacts. The CMCL Peace and Justice Committee is looking for 6 – 10 people who are interested in working with Bridge of Hope. If you have interest or any questions, please contact Marty Kelley at martykelley4plus@gmail.com.

LOCAL FOOD RESOURCES–In our home-bound situations we want to help out as we can.  Here are local food providing opportunities PAX JC is aware of.  If you know of other sites, please share.

• CAP and the  DVS (Domestic Violence Services) emergency shelter: The shelter is temporarily not accepting donations of goods. However, you may still help survivors by sponsoring a prepared meal for the Safe House residents and staff. Visit CAPLanc.org/donate. Designate your donation of $75 (pizza or sandwiches) or $150 (full meal) to DVS and type Safe House meal in the message box. We will order the food based on your donation. This is a huge help to our residents and staff for several reasons – it means less disinfecting is needed in the kitchen, it helps our residents and staff follow social distancing, and it supports local restaurants! General donations to support our direct services are also welcome. Make sure to designate DVS in the drop down menu.
• Anchorage Breakfast: Donations can be made at www.anchoragebreakfast.org or checks sent to Anchorage Breakfast Program, 29 E. Waltnut St, 17602.  Pax JC
• Parish Resource Center has set up a page about community meals and an opportunity to help support that service. The site is https://parishresourcecenter.org/community-initiatives/poverty/ , choose the amount you hope to donate and click on donate now at the bottom.
• The Food Hub of Lancaster is not accepting food items at this time but they continue in food sharing with Lancaster county residents four mornings each week.  Anyone who wants to donate funds toward this project in lieu of food items can do so at lancasterfoodhub.org/donate/
• Crispus Attucks provides boxes of food every Wednesday. Folks may drop off items at Crispus Attucks Tuesdays or Thursdays. Cereal and toilet paper are items in need as well as any canned goods. They ask donors to please check the expiration dates before donating.

Any new or slightly used clean coats are welcome in the bin marked for coats near the mailboxes.  These coats are shared with the elementary school children at Fulton School.

This continues all year long! The basket for these items will be at the front of the sanctuary and people are welcome to bring items to the basket during the offering time.

Support MOOS by providing boxes of cereal, fruit and snacks. These can be put in the Food Hub basket at the back of the sanctuary.

Marcy Hostetler is leading this concern at CMCL. Sign up here to join her in this important work!

Donations for the Lancaster County Food Hub and Crispus Attucks are accepted every Sunday morning.  Place items in large basket at the back of the sanctuary.  

Items of interest: 

dried and canned goods

sugar free items for diabetic concerns

canned meals, e.g. ravioli, etc. meal helpers, e.g. Hamburger Helper. 

Items should not be near or past expiration dates. 

Cans should not have large/deep dents.  

Personal clothing and hygiene items are also accepted.

We collect styrofoam in the Parrot Gallery in the bins underneath the bulletin boards label “Styrofoam”. PAX JC will deliver everything in the labeled box to a styrofoam recycling site.

Current Issues of Concern—

Writing to our Congress representatives can be daunting. Some organizations make it simpler for us. Here are two causes we can write about.

1. The Palestine-Israel conflict continues. The US continues to financially support and send arms and sell arms to Israel. Write to our representatives to support Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bills to block the latest sale to Israel! Codepink has made this easy to do at https://www.codepink.org/israelarmssale?utm_campaign=israel_arms_sale_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink

2. Fair Funding: We have been following the urgency of fair funding among our schools. In February, 2021, Governor Wolf set his budget to include fair funding!! Write to (or call) Governor Wolf to thank him for this action. And write to (or call) our Pennsylvania representatives and encourage them to support Governor Wolf. More information can be found at: https://www.dailylocal.com/gov-tom-wolf-proposes-major-changes-to-education-funding-that-would-dramatically-increase-state-money/article_38746336-6652-11eb-a13c-8772cb91f089.htm

Representatives to contact—

Senator Robert Casey, Jr. / 202-224-6324 / https://www.casey.senate.gov/contact/ 

Senator Patrick Toomey / 202-224-4254 / https://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

Representative Lloyd Smucker / 202-225-2411, 717-393-0667 / https://smucker.house.gov/contact

Pennsylvania General Assembly Members, more information https://www.legis.state.pa.us/

Senator Scott Martin  / 717-787-6535 (Harr) / 717-397-1309 (Lanc)

Representative P. Michael Sturla / 717-787-3555 (Harr) / 717-295-3157 (Lanc)

Mission: “To transform conflict and build community through face-to-face dialogue” through its Mediation and Restorative Justice programs.

Meals on Wheels would like to have volunteers in church neighborhoods.  Check out ways to get involved at info@mealsonwheelsoflancaster.org/volunteer or call 717-392-2842

Hunger-Free Lancaster County, an innovative community coalition of 40 nonprofit, private, faith-based, government and grassroots organizations, has been working since 2016 to ensure sustainable access to three healthy meals a day for all Lancastrians. HFLC is focused not only on eliminating the meal gap in Lancaster County by 2020, but is also committed to ensuring that all Lancastrians have access to the fresh, wholesome meals they need to live healthy lives.   Check out hungerfreelancaster.org for ways to get involved.

CMCL members and attendees have the opportunity to nominate agencies to receive financial assistance. This program enables CMCL to partner financially with agencies involved in peace and justice ministries where our members/attendees are actively involved. In this way we extend our mission to be “responsive to human need with justice and compassion.” 

Agencies may request up to $500/year.  

If you’d like to nominate an agency, find the agency nomination form here..