CrossNet Ministries prepares to serve summer lunches

Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager with CrossNet Ministries, is preparing to feed up to 190 ELANCO School District students each weekday over the summer. Marburger is expecting 125 to 150 students to take part when the program begins on Monday, June 12, but she predicted that by the time the program ends. organizers will be serving 190 a day. "(In 2022), we ended (with) 190 a day," Marburger said. "Our numbers jumped drastically."

This year, lunches will be available at three locations on Mondays and Thursdays. Lunches, which are for ELANCO students ages 1 to 21, are offered to families whose children receive free and reduced-cost meals at school. Lunches may be picked up at CrossNet, 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland, from 11 a.m. to noon. Pickup at Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Lunches available at Pine Grove Church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville, may be picked up from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

According to Marburger, the lunch schedule will vary once over the summer. "We will be closed on Monday, June 19, so we will distribute on Tuesday, June 20," she said. The last delivery date for lunches will be Thursday, Aug. 17, and that delivery will include a lunch for Friday, Aug. 18.

Marburger would like to hear from parents of students who plan to participate by Thursday, June 1. Students who do not have transportation to one of the pickup sites should contact their school principal or call CrossNet at 717-355-2454 for assistance.

Bag lunches will include a main food item, fruit, chips, a dessert, and a beverage. Additional snack items will be included when available. The program is in need of individually packaged snack items, such as granola bars and individual cereal cups, along with supplies like resealable sandwich-size plastic bags and foil sheets. "When we make hot items, we wrap them in foil so they stay hot," said Marburger, adding that those who belong to membership stores may be able to purchase the item in bulk.

Marburger will also need more than 100 volunteers and staff members to pack and deliver lunches and to pick up donations. Volunteer hours will vary. Those who wish to volunteer may visit https://signup.com/go/SQLsSUN.

Marburger said she is thankful to local businesses that donate to the lunch program, including Yoder's Country Market, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Shady Maple Farm Market, the Village Farm Market, Hoober Produce, and Four Seasons Produce.

Readers who would like to learn more about CrossNet may visit http://www.elancocross.org.