In the first of our “Fifth Wednesday” meetings featuring hands-on service projects, 57 club members will come together to pack 10,000 meals at the Farm & Home Center for Food Hub/Outreach.
The organization we’ve chosen to support in this initial on-site project has a significant impact on the fight against food insecurity in our community. Lancaster County Food Hub is one of the longest-standing organizations in this region in the ongoing efforts to “assist and advocate for” needy families, and has been in operation since 1947. It began when a group of churches banded together to help meet the basic human needs -- like food, clothing, and shelter -- of the most vulnerable members of the community. Over the decades, it grew dramatically as the needs of our community increased, expanding its North Queen Street facility and changing its name to the current one in 2019. In only the past few years, Food Hub has touched approximately 90,000 people through food alone.
It surprises many Lancastrians to learn that over 50% of the people Food Hub serves are classified as the working poor. They are employed but do not have enough income to meet the basic needs for themselves and their families. This includes many single moms. The elderly is another large segment served by Food Hub. According to the organization, “We're here to provide the basics, build a little trust, share a little hopefulness, and stand beside those in need.”
The Food Hub receives its food in a number of ways., but about 15% comes from community donations and food drives. Even at the height of the pandemic, the organization found ways to feed the needy. For the first time in more than seven decades of operation, takeout packaging had become necessary for the Lancaster County Food Hub to distribute meals safely — and a Lancaster Cares grant helped it do just that.
The Food Hub does not serve meals directly to clients. Rather, the 74-year old organization stores inventory in its 7,200 square-foot facility at 812 N. Queen St., from which food is then distributed to church-based community meal programs. Each meal site may serve anywhere from 75 to 300 people at each meal, for a total of around 5,000 to 6,000 meals per month.
This is a vital service to our community, and our strong turnout for this project is a tribute to the commitment of our members. In an innovative move, President Russ and our Board of Directors have designated the fifth Wednesday of any month that has one (there are four this year) as a day of service, reinforcing our Rotary commitment to Service Above Self.
The combination of President Russ's State of the Club Address and the presentation of Presidential Grants contributed to continued good attendance.
From left to right, Mike Tafelski & Luke Senkowski from the Challenger of Lancaster County Little League, Rob Gallagher, Wally Otto, Pastor Konstantin Reznik from Bethany Slavic Church, Sam Mecum, Benton Webber from Manheim Township Historical Society, Jenn DeWalt, and Kate Zimmerman from Leadership Lancaster.
Immediate Past President Rob Gallagher presented the balance of his Presidential Grants to these recipients:
Challenger of Lancaster County Little League – selected by Bruce Wolff
Leadership Lancaster – selected by Jenn DeWalt
Manheim Township Historical Society – selected by Sam Mecum
Bethany Slavic Church – selected by Wally Otto
The other grant recipients previously announced were:
Clear Water for Heroes – selected by Gil Lyons
Milagro House – selected by Russ Harlan
Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic – selected by Althea Ramsay Carrigan & Ben Bamford
The next portion of the meeting was a State of the Club address by President Russ. This past year, President Russ and our Board of Directors were faced with some unforeseen and very demanding challenges. First we faced the many challenges of COVID. Then as we were starting to come out of COVID, we lost our caterer due to a death, our Executive Director resigned, we risked losing our meeting place as the cost increased, and the committees were organized in a new structure to increase efficiency and streamline our focus on service. These mounting problems demanded attention, sometimes leading to miscommunications and misunderstandings. Confusion ensued. Membership dropped. The transition from an Executive Director to a volunteer-run club was difficult and posed many challenges. Declining attendance made matters even more challenging.
President Russ and the Board of Drectors wanted to address these misunderstandings. President Russ discussed how our club met these challenges and how things look going forward. He called attention to how past presidents helped with ideas to turn around the drop in attendance, and said he is upbeat about the condition of the Club. For example, committees have been successfully realigned and are working very productively, we held a well-received Candidate Forum in the fall and are planning a unique judicial forum for April 19, and we’ve hired Crystal, who has been a tremendous asset and has helped streamline operations.
He also emphasized that RCL remains committed to keeping a focus on our many significant traditions, like the Strawberry Auction, Bell Ringing, Holiday Party, and Fellowship events like the crab fest, Regatta, and Ski Trip. His final remark in summarizing our progress was, "The club is starting to Hum again!"
He emphasized that those members with ideas or any concerns at any time can contact board members. This is a time when we need to help the board as they are fine tuning new ideas.
In concluding, President Russ announced he had completed successful negotiations with Hess's Catering and the Farm & Home Center. Hess's Catering will be back April 5th with a choice of 2 entrees as in the past. The cost of the meal will be $18. Future successes are contingent on continued strong member involvement and attendance.
Links from last week's meeting
Outline of President Russ's State of the Club Address on March 22, 2023:
Be sure to check your current listing at Wednesday’s meeting!
In preparation for a new Member Directory, Crystal will have an example of the current Directory at the March 29 meeting. This is your opportunity to check to make sure their contact information on file with the club is correct. We will be scheduling new photo sessions closer to summer and tentatively printing the new directory by late summer.
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Election of Board of Directors is moved to April 5
Immediate Past president Rob Gallagher announced that the process of proposing the nominees for the three openings in the Board of Directors needs to start over since one of the nominees withdrew and there were not the required number of nominees left. This situation has been remedied and the new slate of nominees is:
Amy Lewis
Mike Lutz
Malcolm MacDougall
Gregg Melhorn
Larry Miller
Brett Peters
The election will be April 5. An email with the bios of the nominees will be sent out before the election. Details of the club's elections are available in the club's Bylaws:
[https://lancasterrotary.org/transmitter/Bylaws.pdf].
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President Russ Announced Hess's Catering is Returning
President Russ announced agreement with Hess's Catering and the Farm & Home Center. Hess's will return, catering our April 5th meeting. The meal will include two entree selections. The price will rise to $18.
President Russ negotiated a flat-rate agreement with the Farm & Home Center. This means we can continue our long relationship with the center.
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Rotary Rendezvous meets again April 12!
Rotary Rendezvous has become a highlight of RCL business and social gatherings, and a fun event for current and potential new members. Anyone who is interested in joining our committee, looking for fellowship, or simply a night out, please join us for Rotary Rendezvous on Wednesday, April 12, at Southern Market in Lancaster. Parking is available at the Steinman garage or folks can find side street parking.
Rotary Rendezvous meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Arrive anytime between 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship.
Details:
Location: Southern Market
Parking: Steinman Garage or on street
Arrive: 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship
Trivia: Begins at 7:00 PM
Thanks, we hope to see you there!
- Tom Baum and Rendezvous Committee
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Give Prepaid Lunch Tickets to Prospective New Members
This is a great way to invite new members! Crystal has "prepaid" lunch tickets that you can purchase and give to prospective new members when you invite them to a meeting. This way you don't have to worry about paying for their meal when they come or, for that matter, even being present when they come.
Like Fun & Car Shows? You can help spread the word about WW5K!
UPDATE: The event is now listed in Cruise News and we have our web page up and running for competitors to begin registrations.
Our 2023 Wheels & Wings Festival &
5K Run (WW5K) will be Saturday, June 24, and there will be numerous opportunities for all RCL members to volunteer – including before the event. According to Steve Stockwell, who heads up the car show registrations, the subcommittee would like to distribute registration flyers to participants at selected car shows throughout Lancaster County and beyond in April, May, and early June. If you like going to car shows, or simply have some time to take a Saturday afternoon ride this spring, please consider volunteering to help spread the word about our own WW5K.
We will soon have a schedule of all the car shows in the area. Contact Steve or subcommittee co-chairs Amy Lewis or Jamie Dalton to join the effort. Future issues of the Transmitter will share the many other ways members can volunteer to support our big fundraiser.
It’s not too early to reserve Saturday, June 24 for a day of Rotary volunteer service – and fun!
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IU13 Needs Volunteer Mentors for Literacy & Equivalency Programs
Josh McManness reports that IU13 is looking for 5 volunteers to help adult learners with the Literacy program or to prepare for the High School Equivalency test. Please contact Josh if you are interested at joshua_mcmanness@iu13.org.
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REMINDER: Share Your Program Ideas! We welcome interesting speakers, and engaging programs.
Our Club is always looking for ideas to add to the list of potential programs. If you have any ideas for programs, please contact Christine Sable or another member of the Meeting Planning Committee or any Board member, who will pass them along. Both live and virtual (Zoom) speakers are welcome.
The programs the Lancaster Rotary Club offers are important for our club and, with your help and participation, have often been truly phenomenal.
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Have Something to Share? To Add, Edit or Discontinue an Announcement or Photo:
Transmitter Editor, Steve Henning, will gladly add a new announcement, edit an existing announcement, or discontinue an announcement that is no longer relevant. Please contact Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net. Photos of Rotarians in action are always welcome. Send photos to Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net.
It is important and easy! Help Keep the Club Calendar Updated
All Rotarians – especially committee chairs – are encouraged to help keep our new Club Calendar full and updated with the great things that our Club is doing in the community. Please submit any items you would like added to RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org. Examples include the schedule of McCaskey Mentoring Sessions, Committee Meetings, Power Packs or Salvation Army Bell Ringing. If it’s happening, let’s get it on the Calendar for all to see! Your help will keep us all updated with what’s going on within the Club AND will showcase our very active Club to the Lancaster Community and to prospective members. The Club Calendar is available atwww.LancasterRotary.org
In the first of our “Fifth Wednesday” meetings featuring hands-on service projects, 57 club members will come together to pack 10,000 meals at the Farm & Home Center for Food Hub/Outreach.
President Russ announced agreement with Hess's Catering and the Farm & Home Center. Hess's will return, catering our April 5th meeting. The meal will include two entree selections. The price will rise to $18.
Wings Festival &
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