In a previous article, I had written about the great work that Marty and Wendy McCormick are doing in Williamsport. In case you missed it, the McCormicks are the founders of the Rise Up Village Bakery, which operates out of the New Covenant United Church of Christ in Williamsport and is a ministry of United Churches of Lycoming County. Their mission is to provide training and baking skills and offer support and guidance for individuals who have difficulty securing employment because of previous incarceration or a criminal record. The Rise Up Village Bakery became an official ministry of the United Churches of Lycoming County on November 1, 2022, and has been helping people get back on their feet ever since.
After the article, I continued to follow the great work of Marty and Wendy and even became an occasional customer to help support this wonderful program. Ahhh, I can almost smell the breads, cookies, and muffins —everything in moderation. A few weeks ago, Marty and Wendy reached out to share some positive changes that have happened, as well as some good things to come.
Recently, the bakery was able to hire its very first employee. This gentleman was previously a trainee in the program and graduated with flying colors, which was a true testament to the success of Rise Up Village Bakery. This new position, titled Bakery Coordinator, was responsible for running day-to-day operations and updating online information, among other things.
Also new this year, the bakery implemented an online ordering system. Instead of calling in your orders, you can now submit your bakery order through their new system. The link can be found on their Facebook page. The bakery crew currently bakes on Mondays and Tuesdays, though, with your help, hopes to add a third day of baking. After an order is placed, you’ll receive a confirmation email. The deadline for submitting your requests is 3 p.m. on Sunday. The baked goods are then available for pick up on Tuesday afternoon. There are also extra goodies for purchase on the overflow table. Forgot to order? No problem. Walk-in customers can select from the overflow table each week as well. Cash or check only.
The sale of their products is the primary source of funding for the program, though donations from businesses, churches, and individuals are greatly appreciated.
As part of their mission, they also donate or provide baked goods at a reduced cost to churches that host community dinners, Blessing Boxes, and social service residential facilities.
To become a trainee, priority is given to those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. Applicants are people on probation, parole, or returning to the community from incarceration. They must be actively working with a supportive agency. The vision of the McCormicks and their team of volunteers is for their graduates to secure employment and be successful, productive members of our community.
In addition, the Rise Up Village Bakery is looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know wants to make a positive difference in the community while directly supporting individuals leaving the criminal justice system, consider joining the bakery team. Help is especially needed in the kitchen, and baking skills are desired but not necessary. Rise Up accepts all experience levels. If you are not a baker, that’s ok. Help is always appreciated with other duties.
For inquiries about their reentry program or referring potential trainees, please contact Marty and Wendy directly at (570) 295-8434. You can also find them on Facebook and United Churches of Lycoming County website, uclc.org.
Here is the “big ask” — Marty and Wendy want to grow this ministry by adding more trainees and more baking days. To do all of this, they need more volunteers and more orders! They ask that you consider them when organizing a party or an office get-together. They have the kitchen and the staff to bake in bulk, and I can personally vouch for the quality of their baking.
To place an order or to ask about their baking capabilities, please call. 570-215-3577 or email them at riseupvillagebakery@gmail.com. Pick-up is on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at New Covenant Church, 202 E. 3rd St. in Williamsport, Academy St. entrance.
*If you have a nonprofit organization that you would like to have highlighted in my column, please reach out to me at dave.bellomo@gmail.com for consideration.
