Food insecurity, defined as the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, is on the rise in North Central Pennsylvania. Families are running out of money before they can buy food, kitchen shelves are bare, and many children are forced to rely upon free school lunches just to have something to eat. In Lycoming and Clinton counties, The New Love Center’s amazing volunteers and staff (TNLC) have been working tirelessly to fill this gap.

TNLC was organized in 2014 when the original Love Center food pantry in Jersey Shore announced it was closing. The Jersey Shore area churches then worked together, and the new organization was formed.

TNLC was incorporated in 2016 and received its non-profit status in 2017. Currently, the organization is spread out over multiple locations that each performs specific functions: St. John Lutheran Church hosts the Food Pantry, Trinity United Methodist Church hosts the Cafe, First United Methodist Church partners for additional freezer space and holiday distribution, Phelps Chapel hosts the Backpack Program for children and the New Love Center Annex in South Avis hosts the Fresh Food Farmacy. In addition, the American Legion Post #36 hosts the Military Shares program, though it is funded separately.

The numbers are impressive and show how much work is being put into this great organization. In 2020, TNLC served over 10,200 households and distributed over 7,200 pounds of food. However, none of this would have been possible without the huge number of dedicated volunteers who clocked an impressive 15,294 hours. In September 2021 alone, the Café served 576 meals, 82 Senior Boxes were distributed, 140 Military households were served, and Lock Haven and Renovo pop-up food pantries served a combined 329 clients.

With this increased demand, The New Love Center saw the need to both consolidate its current operations as well as expand its programming. After a two-year search, TNLC purchased a four-acre plot of land outside Woolrich with plans to build a “food hub” which will bring the distribution programs together into one location to better serve the needs of those who are food insecure in Clinton and Lycoming counties. The new location will be centrally located above the flood plain and will offer truck access as well as industrial refrigeration and freezers.

Plans are to construct an 18,000 square-foot facility at the cost of $2.6 million. This would include 10,000 square feet of warehouse space and 8,000 square feet of cafe, pantry, classroom, and administrative space. A second option would be to build an additional 10,000 square feet of warehouse space at the cost of $600,000 for a total cost of $3.2 million. TNLC currently has raised approximately $1 million toward the cost of construction.
How You Can Help

Give Funds: Every dollar given to TNLC goes directly to helping those who need it most in our community. Visit http://www.thenewlovecenter.com/donating to give today.

Give Food – Food from industry partners and community food drives is vital to helping to feed thousands of people each year. Currently, the TNLC needs mac & cheese for the Backpack Program and personal care items for the Pantry.

Give Time: Volunteer your time and talent, individually or as a group, to help feed neighbors in need. Visit http://www.thenewlovecenter.com/volunteering to learn more.

To donate toward the New Love Center, please make checks payable to: The New Love Center and mail to P.O box 504, Jersey Shore, PA 17740, or through their website at newlovecenter.com. You can also call The New Love Center at 570-772-3275 or 570-244-8838.