HARC’s Lighthouse After School Program is in need of Volunteers and Program Leads starting this fall. Do you have a talent you can share (reading, art, music, gardening, STEM, etc.), willingness to support students, and a desire to be the change in your community? If so, we would love your help! Requirements: Commitment to regular sessions (flexible scheduling and short-term commitments available) and a passion for working with children. Interested in making a difference? Contact Angela at (240) 347-0780 or yamashitaangela6@gmail.com. Flyer – please share! And an announcement in bulletins would be appreciated.
Mennonite Action interfaith mobilization in DC for ceasefire and peace in Gaza – July 28-30
Taste of the Town Tickets on Sale Now!
Save the Date! Annual Taste of the Town – September 29
Sunday, September 29, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
The Maryland Theatre
21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown
ON SALE NOW: Reach of Washington County presents the 19th Annual Taste of the Town on Sept 29! Taste of the Town is one of the largest and oldest tasting events in the area, showcasing the culinary talents of local chefs. Ticket proceeds go directly to Reach’s programs. To purchase tickets, visit mdtheatre.org/town or call the local Box Office at 301-790-2000.
Community Resource Fair looking for Non-profits to participate
Micah’s Backpack Sponsors Needed!
Food insecurity and hunger have risen drastically in Washington County as a result of inflation, the high cost of housing, the loss of several pandemic funding programs, and other factors. We’re grateful for the many food programs that serve our community, helping families who are food insecure. Micah’s Backpack fills the gap when families don’t have access to these programs or it’s not enough – and the number of children who need Micah’s Backpack has grown tremendously, serving 1,246 children this past school year. Schools anticipate the number will continue to rise, and our current sponsoring churches & organizations are stretched thin. We need more sponsors! Could your church/house of worship/organization commit to partnering with a school to serve at least 5 children in the coming school year so that no child will go hungry? The Micah’s Backpack Steering Team will train you, HARC will support you with grant-funded food (about half to 2/3 of what you will need), and we have a community of support from 48 other sponsoring churches/orgs. For more information, please contact Kathy, 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org. Thank you for considering this important program!!
150 Families to be served with Rural Summer Food Outreach
On July 15 and 16 approximately 40 volunteers total hauled and packed more than 10,000 pounds of food into boxes for families for the Micah’s Backpack Rural Summer Food Outreach. The project was funded by the Community Foundation of Washington County, managed by WCPS Pupil Personnel Worker Michelle Talbert-Smith along with HARC and the Maryland Food Bank, Western Branch, and hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who provided the space and many of the volunteers.
One hundred and fifty families in rural areas of Washington County will be served by the food, which will be hand delivered by WCPS Pupil Personnel Workers starting this week. Families were chosen due to their food insecurity and difficulty accessing area food pantries and other WCPS summer food programs. Each family will receive staples such as oil, cereal, pasta, spaghetti sauce rice, mac & cheese, canned tuna and chicken, soups, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and snacks.
Micah’s Backpack serves more than 1,200 children each weekend throughout the school year filling the gap when school is out. The program does not operate over the summer and the Micah’s Backpack Steering Team was concerned about food insecurity over the summer for these families. The WCPS Meal Machine operates in key locations in Hagerstown throughout the summer, but not in rural areas. Another WCPS program is offering weekly food throughout the summer for families in rural areas, but families need transportation to those locations and have a limited window of time to pick up the food. The Rural Summer Food Outreach will serve families who are not able to access these programs. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for their financial support which made this program possible! And thanks so much to everyone who helped with this project! Prayers for the PPWs who are out in the heat delivering the food this week!