To paraphrase Ricky Nelson, people will come from miles around, and there will be magic in the air. But when you get to the garden party, you won't recognize the place. It won't look the same.

Loft Community Partnership (LCP) will hold its second annual Garden Luncheon Fundraiser Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The garden party will take place in what will eventually become Loft's new home, 100 E. Charlotte St., Millersville.

People can purchase a ticket or a table. Registration is required with a deadline of Monday, May 12. Go to http://www.loftcp.org/events to register or for more information.

The fee will include premier farm-to-table fare by Commonwealth Kitchen, development chair Joy Olcott said. The Millersville Woman's Club, a Loft partner, will donate desserts. There will be chances to win prizes. People who have benefited from Loft services will share their stories, and visitors will receive a tour of the building.

An online auction will be held the weekend of the fundraiser, starting after the party ends at 1 p.m. on May 17 and running through Sunday, May 18. There will be a link to the auction on the LCP website.

The Garden Luncheon Fundraiser will benefit the Loft's food pantry, executive director Jenna Graeff said.

It will also serve as the unofficial kickoff for Loft's capital campaign. On March 19, in partnership with the Millersville Borough Council and planning commission, LCP purchased the building on East Charlotte Street for $800,000 from the Lancaster Emergency Medical Services (LEMSA).

An additional $1.2 million is needed for equipment and renovations to the building. "We are launching our Growing Together capital campaign to support renovations to turn the building into a community resource facility," Graeff said.

To donate to the capital campaign, email Olcott at joy@loftcp.org.

LCP is planning to move into the building in the first quarter of 2026. "That will be impactful because it will allow us to continue to develop our programs and services," Graeff said. "It will allow us to grow roots in Millersville and stay in one spot based on what church missions want to do and not do."

Olcott added, "It will also give stability for our neighbors who come to the food pantry and the clothing bank."

Founded years earlier, Loft Community Partnership became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2020, starting in a choir loft in Millersville Brethren in Christ Church before moving to St. Paul Lutheran Church. In September 2024, LCP moved into its current location, Jefferson Hall, 164 W. Cottage Ave., a building it leases from Millersville University.

LCP has grown exponentially over the last several years. Pre-COVID, the group served 30 families a week. That number has risen to 400 families. "When we were at 120, we thought, 'Oh my, how are we ever going to be able to sustain this?'" Olcott said.

Loft Community Partnership's food pantry is open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Its clothing bank has more flexible hours, and the furniture bank at West Willow United Methodist Church is open by appointment.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can email contact@loftcp.org or call 717-723-8180. LCP serves clients from the Penn Manor School District who qualify for assistance based on guidelines established by Feeding America and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and clients must participate in an intake interview.

LCP values its community connections and strong partnerships, which its representatives say are vital in its mission to improve resource accessibility for its Penn Manor-area neighbors. "The Loft cannot be the end-all," said Olcott. "We do really well with the food. So that's going to stay our major focus and the clothes and the furniture. We've brought that into family advocacy and family services, but these other partners are already doing things in the community. We can send people to them."

Graeff added, "The only reason we can do what we do is the partnerships we already have and are continuing to develop."

Olcott stated Loft Community Partnership's mantra is, "Give what you want, take what you need ... growing together."