I Need Help – Solanco Neighborhood Ministries

call 717-786-4308 or email office@SNMinistries.org

How We Can Help

I Need Food

Keeping Kids Fed

MEALS FOR THE WEEKEND
Known as SWEEP (Student WeekEnd Eating Program). Students in grades K-6 (who qualify) receive a bag of food to take home over the weekend with 2 breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items. Click here to learn more.

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Making the Season Bright

I Need Food, Our Services

HOLIDAY MEALS
Many families need a little extra help around the holidays. We are blessed to provide you with all the items needed to prepare and enjoy a delicious holiday meal together.

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Birthday Bags

I Need Food, Our Services

We love celebrating you! If you have a child, we will provide him/her with a birthday bag that includes birthday plates, candles, a cake mix and icing. If you have a child, be sure to ask about a birthday bag when you visit us for a food order.

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Community Garden

I Need Food, Our Services

Eating healthy is so important, but it can also be expensive. We have 11 raised beds conveniently located next to the Quarryville Library. Spaces are available for you and your family to plant, grow and harvest your very own produce.

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Food Bank

I Need Food, Our Services

Sometimes, life can be hard and unexpected changes can make paying for food difficult. We are an emergency food bank and we are here to help you. Click here to learn more.

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I Need Something Else

Keeping Families Warm

I Need Something Else, Our Services

HEAT MATCHING PROGRAM
Keeping your family safe is a top priority for us. One time per winter season, we can match up to $300 what you have personally budgeted and paid towards your fuel bill. We can also help you apply for LIHEAP funds to help you and your family pay for oil, gas or whatever fuel is needed to keep your home warm and comfortable.

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Keeping Home Lights On

I Need Something Else, Our Services

SAMARITAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
We know that every situation is different. Some situations require an extra helping hand, especially when it comes to housing and electric bills. Depending on donations, we can sometimes offer matching funds to keep you and your family in your own home and keep your lights on.

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Help in the Moment

I Need Something Else, Our Services

HOMELESSNESS RESOURCES
If you or your family are homeless or facing eviction, give us a call. We can help with emergency food and basic necessities like blankets, laundry soap, coins for the laundromat and more. We can also connect you with resources to help with housing. Click for links to affordable housing.

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Clothing Assistance

I Need Something Else, Our Services

Offered through a partnership with New Hope Community Closet, this service offers families free clothing twice per year. We can provide you and your family with clothing vouchers to pick up some closet essentials.
Click for a list of free clothing drives.

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Diaper Depot

I Need Something Else, Our Services

If you and your family are enrolled in the WIC program, you can receive free diapers twice per month (as donations permit) to help keep your little ones clean and healthy. Bring your WIC voucher to SNM.

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Personal Care Kits

I Need Something Else, Our Services

When you and your family visit us for a food order, you will also receive a personal care kit including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, tissues, and laundry detergent.

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Gas Cards

I Need Something Else, Our Services

At times, we can provide gas cards that can help you and your family get to and from work or to doctor appointments.

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Backpack Giveaway

I Need Something Else, Our Services

School supplies can be very expensive, and we can help provide children from kindergarten to high school with the supplies they need to start the year on the right foot. Pencils, notebook paper, binders, erasers, and more are included in our backpacks. Coming next summer…

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Pastor’s Office Hours

I Need Something Else, Our Services

Sometimes, you just want someone to talk to. Or maybe you are having trouble seeing God in your circumstances. Every Wednesday from 1-4PM a local pastor is on-site and is ready to listen to you and provide you with positive spiritual encouragement. No appointment necessary.

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Spike’s Pet Pantry

I Need Something Else, Our Services

We know that pets are part of the family. We also know that sometimes it can difficult to feed your pet and your family. We partner with the Humane League of Lancaster County to provide you with dog and cat food so you can continue to care for your furry friend.

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Community Events

HSE Tutors needed

The HSE courses will transition to a 1:1 tutor setting instead of a classroom setting. This is set to begin in the new year. The IU is looking for volunteers who are willing to take on this initiative. To learn more about this opportunity and for training, please call Mary Edith.

Opportunities for Youth Groups

Community Cup Solanco Fair (the fair is over, but for next year!)

Community Companions needed- we often meet with folks who have no social support, are in tough times and struggle to take the next steps on their own. A Community Companion is someone who is willing to walk alongside an individual to help with things like filling out applications, give a ride to an appointment and mostly, be someone to talk to as they process life’s difficulties. More information to come on this, but if you’re interested in being a ‘CC’, please call 717-786-4308 and let us know!

Extra Give

November 22nd, 2019- a community event is being planned for Friday, November 22nd. Support local organizations through this online day of giving!

Hats/gloves needed

The colder months are upon us. Help us keep families warm by donating new hats and gloves! A new coat collection will also begin and those donations can be dropped off at Little Britain Presbyterian Church.

*For volunteers, collection for items in the Thanksgiving baskets will be posted in November. Thank you!

COMING SOON in 2020, VITA (volunteer income tax prep)

We follow Solanco School District for weather closures and delays

Financial Classes

Financial classes through Tabor now available! /Meet one-on-one with a financial professional to assist with budgeting, debt management and access to many other services through Tabor. The classes are held at Oak Bottom Village in Quarryville and can be scheduled by calling 717-358-9364.

GED/HSE classes

The IU13/Literacy Council will hold High School Equivalency (formerly, GED) classes this fall at the Quarryville Borough building. For more information, call

Heating assistance (applications for LIHEAP begin November 1st)

The applications for assistance with heating will begin on November 1st. Solanco Neighborhood Ministries’ heat matching program will begin on September 1st. What you have personally paid towards your heating bill can be matched up to $300. We have decided to begin early this year due to the prices of fuel. However, we only match ONE TIME per winter season. Apply in-person at S.N.M.

Holiday Baskets

If you are current client, you are eligible to pick up a Thanksgiving dinner basket! Sign-ups will begin the first week of November.

community and client events

Annual Calendar

January: Updated information- we need everyone who wants to be a client in the new year (regardless of the service, i.e. food, diapers, heating, etc.) to provide us with a recent bank statement, recent paystubs or proof of income (if it’s SS, a letter is sent in December of each year for the following year), I.D. and proof of address (an electric bill, etc). We ask that they come in to the office and complete an intake with one of our volunteers as well as bring these items with them.

Easter Meals: Tuesday before Easter. Sign-ups are usually several weeks in advance. This is an Easter meal- ham, potatoes, etc.

Gardens: April/May- sign-ups for the community gardens begin in the spring. If a client is interested in planting items in a raised bed, they must fill out the application.

Stamp Out Hunger: 2nd Sat in May- this is a food drive hosted by the US Postal Service. Just a reminder this collection benefits us.

Go Beyond: May- several area churches participate in this community wide event that is service projects all over Lancaster County. We sometimes have projects for them to work on. This is more to advertise that area churches are doing this.

Backpacks: August- we distribute backpacks, supplies and other back-to-school items for our clients on this one-day event. We take these donations throughout the summer. No registration necessary for the event.

Solanco Fair booth: September- Stop and see our booth at the Solanco Fair! There is also opportunity to purchase a cow or pig that is auctioned off and get it butchered and donate to us.

CropWalk- this event is hosted by Church World Service, we receive a portion of funds raised. It’s a one-day event in October.

Coats for Kids- some area churches, Little Britain Presbyterian Church collects new coats and distributes them to families.

Heating program: November 1-March 30. Matching up to $300- our heating program- description above.

Extra Give- On November 22nd there is an online day of giving throughout Lancaster. We will be collaborating with other local organizations who participate to hold an event for our community!

Thanksgiving meals: Distributed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, sign-ups will begin the first week of November.

Toy Drive Sign Up: we are the sign-up location for the Solanco Toy Drive. We do not collect toys, but if a family wants to participate, they must go through our intake form with us.

Christmas Tree Lighting- this event is held by the Chamber of Commerce. Donations are collected throughout the evening for us and there are free activities for the family!

Christmas meals: Tuesday before Christmas. This year, it will be 12/17 since Christmas Eve is on a Tuesday! Christmas meals include a turkey, side dishes and dessert.