The pandemic may have closed doors but has not stopped The Church from making a difference in our communities and the world! Ready-for-School is celebrating twenty years of making a positive impact on our neighbors – sharing God’s love by providing basic school supplies to students. COVID-19 will make our efforts challenging this year but nothing is too big for our God! We need your help more than ever to be successful in providing backpacks and supplies to our neighbors in Lower Dauphin, Derry Township, Middletown and Harrisburg.

 

We will be providing over 625 backpacks filled with requested supplies for the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year. The uncertainties that COVID-19 brings to school districts as they try to plan for the fall is creating additional stress for families that are struggling. Our goal is to provide the supplies needed not only in the classrooms but also in their homes for potential virtual learning needs. We are also excited to work with elementary schools in the Middletown School District this year.

 

 

First, we need your financial support more than ever! The average cost for a completed backpack is $40 and when multiplied by our mission to serve over 625 students will mean over $25,000 to meet this need – so this year’s extended reach into the community will require all of us to support this important outreach. Please consider making a financial gift either online at https://www.gracehummelstown.org/financial-commitment and indicate Ready-for-School as the recipient OR you may mail donations made payable to Ready-for-School to: Grace UM Church, ATTN: Tammy Houck, 433 E. Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036.

 

Second, we will be collecting new backpacks and school supplies throughout the month of July and August. You can drop-off your supplies in the vestibule of the main entrance doors in the appropriate Ready-for-School collection bins. Our facility is not open to visitors during the week but the main entrance doors are open from 9 am – 2 pm M-Th to give access to the drop-off area.

The most needed items are:

Third and importantly, please pray over this outreach! We are extending this outreach into our neighboring Middletown community for the first time. It is our opportunity to share our abundant blessings and KNOW that God will touch hearts to support the program and touch the hearts of
those who receive our gifts. This challenge is big BUT our awesome God is BIGGER! Join your Grace family in sharing His love and the transformation of this hurting world.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy at tammyhouck@gracehummelstown.org or call the office at (717) 566-2897.

Donate to the Hummelstown Food Pantry
Their current needs include: Boxes Mac and Cheese dinners, Canned Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Dried Pasta, Chunky soups with meat. Donations can be dropped off to Zion Lutheran Church (100 West Main St., Hummelstown) at their Main Street office entrance right inside the door. Currently they are accepting donations Monday through Thursday mornings.

 

 

Donate to the Personal Care Closet at Love Inc. (Love In The Name of Christ)
Items they are currently in need of include: toilet paper, paper towels, feminine products (regular pads), household cleaners and disinfectants, dish detergent, baby wipes, and body wash. Drop off is on Love Inc’s front porch Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm at 245 East Derry Rd., Hershey.

 

 

 

Please consider making an appointment, here’s what you need to know:

1. They are taking donations Monday-Saturday, 8am to 8pm.

2. Donations are by appointment only and can be made at 1-800-771-0059 / There is no way of doing online appointments

3. In Hershey donations are being made at ‘The Blue Barn’ (474 W. Governor Rd)

 

 

 

Our Grace community has been hard at work making hand-sewn face masks.  To date, over 350 masks have been distributed to our neighborhood senior living communities, as well as our local fire & police stations.  If you are interested in joining this effort please see the attached instructions (CLICK HERE) or watch this instructional VIDEO. And feel free to drop off completed masks in the bin outside the Youth Room entrance at Grace, at the round-about.  This is being checked a few times a week for further community delivery!