While perusing the numbers of New Holland residents served by CrossNet Ministries in 2023, Food and Nutrition Center manager Amy Marburger noted, "These numbers have increased for this year." Pointing to the fact that food donations drop "drastically" each January and February, Marburger stated, "I just want people to understand how important food drives are for us. They really do make a difference."

During 2023, an average of 180 families a month benefited from CrossNet's food pantry, located in the Food and Nutrition Center at 127 W. Franklin St., New Holland. CrossNet's meal packs, which are offered to any family in the ELANCO School District, whether they have children or not, were given to 116 families in 2023. Area residents are asked to sign up for meal packs, but no intake is necessary. Bags may be picked up each Wednesday at the Food and Nutrition Center between noon and 5 p.m. Participants may receive an automated text to remind them to pick up the meal pack.

The Summer Lunch Program has continued to grow as well. "We did 12,000 summer lunches (for ELANCO School District students)," reported Marburger. "Almost 200 students are receiving Buddy Bags (given to children at ELANCO elementary schools) or Student Pantry (for seventh- through 12th-grade students)," reported Marburger. The components of the Buddy Bags include breakfast foods, snacks, fruits, and juice. Bags are distributed on Friday afternoons during the school year.

The Student Pantry, which was new in 2023, allows students who need items from the pantry to choose from individual meal and snack options along with personal care items by visiting their guidance counselors to receive a list of choices. Participants then check off the needed items. Student participants are assigned numbers so that only the guidance counselors and social workers know their true identities. Student volunteers fill the bags with the requested goods. Participants are given hall passes to make it easier to pick up the bags from their guidance counselors when they are filled.

Marburger pointed out that food staples are always necessary to support these programs, but she noted there's a special need for personal care and paper products, which are not covered by the state's food stamp program. "Churches, businesses, and organizations could hold drives (for these products)," said Marburger, who pointed out that a Garden Spot Middle School student is currently organizing a food drive specifically for the Student Pantry. "We have a church that does a feminine hygiene drive," added Marburger.

Food items that are currently needed by the Food and Nutrition Center include peanut butter, crackers, pasta sauce, sugar, canned mixed vegetables, canned corn, canned peaches, and salad dressing. "Individual cereal cups and microwavable (meal) bowls are our biggest expenses," noted Marburger.

In addition to the aforementioned programs, the Food and Nutrition Center provides holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

"A family can take advantage of every one of these programs to help offset monthly expenses," said Marburger, who added that the Food and Nutrition Center hours have been expanded. "We are now open every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.," said Marburger. "Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is always our regular day."

Area residents who would like more information about food services offered by CrossNet Ministries may visit http://www.elancocross.org and click on "What We Do" and then "Food & Nutrition."