Pasta for the Win!

Each month we are going to highlight an item that we need or use consistently at The Hope Center. Most items we highlight are used for food bags that we distribute to families and individuals who are in need of food assistance. Food items donated may also be used in our kitchen for one of the many daily meals served free-of-charge to our residents, overnight homeless guests, and community guests seeking a hot meal.

Whether it’s the coldest day in winter or the warmest day in summer, there’s something just perfect about a nice bowl of pasta and sauce.

Maybe it’s the comfort of the taste. Maybe it’s the bold simplicity of the meal.  Maybe it’s the ease of the process. Perhaps it’s just the happiness shared between your taste buds and your tummy. Or maybe it’s all of the above.

No matter what the reason — there’s just something wonderful about a bowl of pasta and sauce.

And that’s why spaghetti is one item on our list that is a “must have” for every food bag. It’s easy to make, is a hearty meal, and, most importantly, tastes perfect. So each food bag we distribute receives a 24 oz jar of pasta sauce and a box of spaghetti. Even if the family or individual is a novice in the kitchen, pasta is a meal that basically anyone can make.

Pasta Sauce-001

So for the month of February we are asking for donations of 24 oz jars of pasta or marinara sauce. We ask for the 24 oz size so as not to fill up too much space in a food bag so we can include other food items as well.

If you, your church, civic club, Scout troop, or business would like to donate pasta sauce please drop any jars off to our Administrative Office Mon – Fri 8:15 – 11:30am and 12:15-5pm (our office is closed daily from 11:30am – 12:15pm). If those hours do not work please contact us at 301.739.1165 or email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com to arrange a more suitable time.

Also, if you’re planning a food drive then be sure to add pasta sauce to the list of much needed items! If you need any other ideas of food items that are frequently used then please contact us so we can give you an idea list.

If you would like to learn more about our food program, or you are in need of food assistance, please go to http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com/food-programs

Here’s to a Wonderful 2019!

We’re just hours away from not only a new year but a brand new decade! And with this new year comes another chance to celebrate a milestone: 65 years of The Hope Center at Hagerstown Rescue Mission! We’re so excited to celebrate another year of God’s miraculous work in Hagerstown and surrounding communities. We have some exciting changes in the works and 2020 is the perfect year to kick off a major project that will bless the lives of so many in the decades to come.

But before we jump into 2020,  we want to take the opportunity to thank God for all His continued blessings and faithfulness to this ministry and all the amazing things He did and provided in 2019. Each year He continues to amaze us and reminds us that we aren’t in this fight alone. We are truly blessed to have a God who loves us and cares so deeply for this ministry and the people we help each day of the year.

God shows His faithfulness in many ways but one of those ways is with the continued support of people like you. We want to thank each of you for partnering with us to bring the hope of God’s Word to so many people in many different ways. From our daily soup line, to our overnight homeless shelter, to the men in our rehabilitation/life recovery program, to all the precious children who’ve attended a Wildside Youth event, God has done amazing things in 2019 and each of you have been a part of this story.

We look forward to all the great things that God has planned for 2020 and beyond! As we mentioned, 2020 is a big year as we celebrate 65 years of continued hope for our community. But we do have some big news coming that we’ll be sharing with you in the near future. Until then, please continue to help us as we fight the good fight to bring healing to the broken, food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and love to all of God’s people.

To learn more about our programs and services, how to get involved, how to give, or how you can get help, please go to http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com.

And don’t forget to make plans to join us in April for our annual Rock the Run 5K: Pirates vs Princess! We kicked off this race back in 2015 to celebrate our 60th anniversary and here we are still going strong! The 5K is on Saturday, April 25th at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown. And we’re proud to announce that our Rock the Run 5K: Pirates vs Princess is once again sponsored by our good friends at Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe in Chambersburg. As you plan your New Year’s parties don’t forget to pick up some of their delicious potato rolls! To learn more about our upcoming 5K please visit http://www.rocktherunhagerstown.com.

So as we bid farewell to 2019, join us as we take a quick look back at all the beautiful faces who were a part of our amazing year. From staff, to guests, to volunteers, these smiling faces are what it’s all about! Thank you for helping us have another miraculous year of hope in Hagerstown!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

Urgent Need: Coffee

It’s cold out and nothing really makes the cold tolerable better than a hot cup of coffee!

coffee2And that’s why we’re in desperate need of coffee donations. Any brand. Any size. Any kind. We go through a lot of coffee throughout the day and even more so during the cold months.

We will gladly accept any donations at our Administrative Office*. The office is open M-F 8:15am – 11:30am and then 12:15pm – 5pm. Our office is closed daily from 11:30am – 12:15pm. If office hours conflict with your schedule please call 301.739.1165 or email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com to schedule a time that works for you.

Shopping online and having it delivered is always a convenient option too! To have it delivered please use 125 N. Prospect Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740 as our address. And if you shop through AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) you can double your impact! Amazon will donate a portion of the sale to The Hope Center! Just go to smile.amazon.com and log in with your Amazon account. When prompted to choose a non-profit type ‘The Hope Center at Hagerstown Rescue Mission’. Once selected, we will receive a donation from Amazon for all your purchases that qualify from AmazonSmile!

If your church, office, athletic team, civic club, Scout troop, or anyone else would like to host a Food Drive or Coffee Drive then get in contact with us and we can get you any info you may need!

For more info please call 301.739.1165 or email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com. To learn more about all of our programs and services for the community please visit hagerstownhopecenter.com.

*Our Administrative Office is located across our central parking lot from our Thrift Store. Use 215 W. Church St for navigation to our parking lot.

Pizza, Burgers, and Charity, Oh My!

We’re beyond excited to announce that we’ve been chosen as Charity of the Week at Warehouse Tap Room in Hagerstown for the week of November 12 – 16!

20191105 WTR__Hope Center_ThnksGivingIn celebration of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, the employees at Warehouse Tap Room are kicking off a “Month of Thanks & Giving” as a way to give back to the organizations that are already making such a significant impact in our local community! Each week, employees have selected a charity of the week. We are so thankful to have been chosen by the employees as a charity to support!

During the week of Nov 12 – 16, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to The Hope Center when patrons mention our name during checkout. It’s literally that simple. Enjoy a wonderful dinner with family and friends and then mention us to your server and you’re helping to give back to your community. It’s a win-win!

If you’ve been to Warehouse Tap Room then you know all about the delicious food and friendly service. But if you’ve never visited Warehouse Tap Room then now is the perfect time to check it out.

Warehouse Tap Room is located at 1130 Conrad Ct just off of Eastern Blvd in Hagerstown. They’re open Tues – Thurs 11:30am – 9pm and Fri – Sat 11:30am – 11pm. Go to warehousetaproom.com to check out their menu and learn more about this great local restaurant.

Please spread the word to your family, friends, coworkers, and social circle!

Faith Chapel of Johnstown Serves a Heaping Dose of Happy

We were so happy to have some of our friends from Faith Chapel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania serve lunch to our residents and Soup Line guests!

The group of 8 made the two hour trip from Johnstown last Saturday. While they came prepared to cook and serve meals for the community, they also brought donations of diapers, peanut butter, creamer, and clothing for our Thrift Stores!

The group, organized by Larry & Cindy Lazer, also lead singing and an inspirational message for our Soup Line guests before the meal.

This is not the first time that the group has made the trek from Johnstown and we certainly hope it’s not the last. We appreciate their commitment to helping the least, the last, and the lost in the community.

If your church, Scout Troop, youth group, or business would like to prepare and serve a meal just like our friends from Faith Chapel then please contact us. We are always looking for groups to help on the weekend. Please call 301.739.1165 or email hagerstownrescue@verizon.net.