Lehman among groups addressing hunger in Hatboro-Horsham

The statistics around childhood hunger in America are well-worn: About 1 in 5 children - 20% - lack proper access to food at some point during the year. Some folks might be surprised to learn that this isn’t just a national problem, it’s an issue right here in the Hatboro-Horsham area that has led several organizations to take significant action.

Among them is Lehman Memorial United Methodist Church, which runs several programs to address hunger and partners with several other organizations.

“The food and hunger ministries of Lehman Memorial Church have been a critical factor in eradicating poverty and hunger in and around our area,” said senior pastor Bill Lentz. “Gifts of food and money go a long way to reducing the suffering of people in Hatboro and beyond.”

Jessica Oldsey, foodservice director for the Hatboro-Horsham School District, said the problem was more noticeable in her former position in Norristown, but it is quite prevalent here.

“It’s much different here, but the numbers continue to grow,” she said, pointing to the number of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. “District-wide, it’s 30 percent, but Blair Mill Elementary School is 43 percent.”

And the administration is quite aware of the situation and Superintendent Curtis Griffin “is always aware. He wants to know where we are so he can communicate with the teachers.”

H.A.T. Packs, an area non-profit, works with the district to address the challenge. The organization’s co-founders, Denise (DJ) Schultz, Patsy Meck, and Erin McCuen Pease, are active volunteers in the community and a mutual connection closely connected to counselors and administrators in the district shared the hunger issues students were facing.

The district “shared that children in our area were saving a portion of their free and reduced-priced meal programs on Fridays just to have something to eat over the weekend,” Schultz said. “That story moved us. We knew we needed to institute a weekend meal program and we worked together to launch H.A.T. Packs.”

The group launched in January 2018, serving 16 children at one elementary school. It has since grown to partner with all district elementary schools and Keith Valley Middle School, serving more than 160 packs a week with plans in the works to partner with the high school.

H.A.T. Packs partners with many local churches, community groups and organizations, including Lehman, which has donated equipment, food, and manpower and also has multiple programs to address hunger.

“Partners like Lehman can help H.A.T. Packs by organizing and executing donation and pack day programs, encouraging groups and individuals to donate their time, food and money, and spreading the word about childhood food insecurities,” Schultz said.

In addition to supporting H.A.T. Packs, Lehman’s Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry serves more than 60 families each week, providing basics such as cereal, tuna, soup, vegetables, canned beans, canned meals, pasta sauce, pasta, potatoes, macaroni & cheese, rice, and canned fruit.

The pantry is open for pickups Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and donations can be dropped any time the church office is open, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and only requires proof of residence within a 5-mile radius of the church.

The pantry is bolstered four times a week by two local Wawas that supply hot dogs, Sizzli sandwiches and hash browns. As an extension to the pantry, bread supplied by area Giant supermarkets is provided in the church’s main entry hallway during normal business hours.
Lehman member Terry Morrissette manages the pantry and said she “never realized there were so many people in this area in need of food. Our clients are very appreciative for what we provide and they talk with our volunteers weekly and often become friends.”

The church also features a garden, where volunteers grow fresh produce to supplement the nonperishable goods in the food pantry.

In addition to the food pantry and bread, Lehman also offers a monthly community dinner, providing a free, hot meal that is open to the public.

“For more than 8 years members of Lehman have provided a free meal on the third Wednesday of every month,” said volunteer coordinator Vicky Coleman. “The menu varies. We try to coordinate with monthly events and holidays, for example, we’ll have red desserts in February to mark Valentines Day. The ingredients are supplied through donations from the congregation, and each month there are more than a dozen volunteers who help prepare and serve the meal.”

“It sounds like a lot of work, but for me, it is a joy to serve others and do the Lord’s work,” she added.

Pastor Lentz said he hopes these programs continue to receive strong support across the community.

“We often hear about the deep sadness and concern generated by the facts of food insecurity, poverty, and outright hunger here in the wealthiest country on the planet,” he said.”May God continue to inspire our generosity and concern for those who need our help."

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You can connect with Lehman Memorial United Methodist Church through its website or its active Facebook page.