Tag Archives: health

Going Wild for Juice!

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Before you know it we’ll be halfway through July already!

And since it’s July that means it’s Camp Wild time!! But, just like everything else, Camp Wild 2020 is gonna be a little different. There will be special socially distant activities planned for kids who register for Camp Wild as well as occasional small group activities. To learn more about Camp Wild 2020 please visit campwildusa.com.

Even though campers won’t be in person each day of their camp week, we’re still making sure each camper has fun activities to do PLUS we’re delivering lunch each day of the week to campers who are registered!

Item of the Month-001For our July ‘Pantry Item of the Month’ we’re requesting donations of any kind of juice boxes or pouches. These juice boxes will be included in each lunch delivered to campers daily at their house. We are not at all particular in a specific brand or flavor so grab whatever you like to donate!

Also this month we’re requesting new pillows to use in our overnight homeless shelter and for the men who are residents in our Foundations Life Recovery program. These new pillows will be used solely for the purpose of our housing ministries and will not be sold in our Thrift Stores.

If you’d like to donate juice boxes or new pillows please drop them off to our Shelter Need-001Administrative Offices during business hours M-F. If you are unable to donate during business hours please call us at 301.739.1165 or email us at info@hagerstownhopecenter.com to figure out a time that works for you.

If shopping online through retailers like AmazonSmile (learn more about Amazon Smile by visiting http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com) please use 125 N. Prospect St, Hagerstown, MD 21740 as the delivery address.

Thank you for caring and sharing with your community! We thank God for all of His blessings, including being surrounded and supported by such a generous community. Thank you so much for all the love and support you provide our ministry and your neighbors in need!

To learn more about all our programs and services, including kids programs and our shelter programs, please visit http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com.

April Showers… bring May’s Pantry Item of the Month!

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We’ve successfully made it through April! With the new month comes the hope of warmer, sunnier weather and the opportunity to start getting out and experiencing our world a little more.

The new month also brings a new pantry need – BOXED DINNERS. Boxed dinners are a staple item in our food bags. From boxes of pasta salad, to Hamburger Helper, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, stuffing mixes, and more, the boxed dinner is an important part of our food bags.

Item of the Month-001

To donate please drop off at our Administrative Office during business hours (M-F 8:15 – 11:30am and 12:15-2pm). Our office closes at 2pm for visitors but we do have staff working until 4pm. To drop off between 2 – 4pm please call our office so we can be prepared. Our offices are located on our central parking lot located at 215 W. Church St. in Hagerstown.

If you’d like to order food online please use 125 N. Prospect St., Hagerstown, MD 21740 as our delivery address. And remember, when shopping at Amazon be sure to use AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) for your orders. When you shop from AmazonSmile Amazon will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Hope Center! For more info about AmazonSmile please email us at info@hagerstownhopecenter.com

Thank you to each of you for all you’ve been doing to help us help others during this pandemic. Your support and love during this has definitely helped us stay encouraged and hopeful. It’s in times like this that we truly see the best in people and we thank God for each of you.

If you or your family are in need of grocery assistance please call our office at 301.739.1165 during business hours (M-F 8:15-11:30am and 12:15-4pm) to schedule an appointment for a food bag. We are happy to help provide you with some food but we ask that you please schedule an appointment so we can make sure we have a food bag prepared. For more info on our food programs and how we can help during the COVID-19 crisis please call or email us at info@hagerstownhopecenter.com

COVID-19 Update: Food Assistance for All!

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In these unprecedented times we’re all dealing with a lot of issues. During this health crisis and time of economic hardship we want to make sure that no one is food insecure and feeding your family should not be a worry to deal with. God has provided us with very generous supporters, friends, and partners in the community who’ve helped make sure we have plenty of food to help feed those in need.

We are now supplying food bags to any individuals and families in need in our community. We will be waiving the required food bank card supplied by the Washington County Food Bank during this time. We understand the need to feed yourself and your family and we want to help as much as we can.

COVID-19 FOOD ASSIST-001

To receive a food bag we ask that you call our Administrative Office at 301.739.1165 during office hours to set up an appointment time to receive a food bag. We are asking that you make an appointment so we can make sure to have a food bag prepared for your arrival. We will even walk the food bag to your car to help protect you and your family.

When calling, we will simply ask for your name and address. No financial information will be needed. When you arrive to receive your food bag we will ask for an ID to verify.

It’s quick and easy and will hopefully help to alleviate the stress of feeding your family during this time.

The food bag program is during office hours only which are Mon – Fri 8:15am – 11:30am and 12:15pm – 4pm. Please only call during these hours to schedule an appointment for a food bag. Also, food bag distribution will only take place during office hours. We will continue to hand out food bags while supplies last.

And remember, our daily meals are still being served and free for anyone and everyone in the community. We’ve adjusted how meals are served in order to protect all of our guests and staff from the potential spread of coronavirus. If you or anyone you know is in need of a delicious hot meal please join us each day of the week for a free meal. Our Soup Line and evening meal are now meeting in the Trinity Center which is located at the back of our parking lot (215 W. Church St) behind our Thrift Store. No appointment is needed for any meals served and all ages are welcome to dine with us.

For more information on all our food service programs or to learn more about how we’re fighting COVID-19 together please visit http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com.

Again, to schedule an appointment for a food bag please call 301.739.1165 Mon – Fri 8:15am – 11:30am and 12:15pm – 4pm.

Grab a Plate…

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For safety reasons in response to COVID-19 we have stopped using our plates, glasses, and silverware. We are currently only using disposable dinner plates, 8 oz. cups, and plasticware. Any donation of any of these products would be an wonderful blessing.

 

COVID Urgent Need-001

To donate please drop off to our Administrative Office during business hours or call 301.739.1165 to talk to someone about drop off.

If ordering from Amazon (or AmazonSmile) please use 125 N. Prospect St, Hagerstown, MD 21740 for the delivery address.

Please help us get the word out by sharing this with your social circle. Thank you so much for caring and sharing – especially during this pandemic. We appreciate each of you and your commitment to partnering with us to help the disadvantaged in this crisis.

For more info on how we’re helping during COVID-19 please visit http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com.

We’re Still Here to Help

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In all the chaos and confusion of the current global crisis – we’re still here to help!

Staff 1We’ve been cancelling any activities, programs, services, and ministries that are not essential but we are still open and helping to make sure that during this pandemic anyone who is hungry gets food and any men who need overnight shelter have a place to rest.

Safety is a top priority and we’re making sure that everyone, whether staff, guest, or volunteer is safe throughout this crazy time.

And though we’re here to help – we need help too. With the closure of our Thrift Stores we will desperately need financial donations to help keep us open and operating during this time. Proceeds from our Thrift Stores are a major part of our operating budget since we don’t receive any government funding of tax money. Any donation will help us continue to help those in need in our community during this Covid-19 event.

And if you are able to volunteer, we need your help! We will do everything we can to make sure you are safe as you help us help others. If you are elderly or have a medical condition that puts you at risk of Covid-19 we ask that you refrain from volunteering and just help us in other ways. Again, safety is a top priority.

We need help so in any way that you can, please do! From food donations, to personal care items, to forehead scanning thermometers, or just financial donations, any little bit will help.

Fred Rogers, star of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, was once quoted saying, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

Please help us as we help others in this crisis. God is not absent during this and He will get us through it.

To learn more about donating or volunteering please call 301.739.1165 or email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com. To donate online go to http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com and click on ‘Financial Giving’ in the drop down menu under the ‘Donate’ tab.

Thank you for caring & sharing!

Pasta for the Win!

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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

Urgent Need: Coffee

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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.

It’s Always a Pleasure When Chick-Fil-A Stops By!

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If you’re like us, you love Chick-fil-A. The delicious food, the clean restaurant, the courteous staff, and the Chick-fil-A sauce (yum!), Chick-fil-A is easily one of America’s favorite places to eat on the go. But then Sunday rolls around and you find yourself craving some waffle fries and grilled nuggets after church but you know that won’t happen because Chick-fil-A is closed. Fortunately Monday is less than 24 hours away!

Even though Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, that didn’t stop the crew from Chick-fil-A from serving their delicious food! This past Sunday, October 20th, a team of 12 from the Hagerstown Chick-fil-A stopped by to prepare and serve lunch for our residents and Soup Line guests.

The Chick-fil-A team included Randy Scott, Franchisee, Mary, Marketing Director and Matt, Executive Director of Operations. The leaders along with the other employees brought some delicious Chick-fil-A food to serve. The lunchtime meal from Chick-fil-A included their famous chicken noodle soup served over warm biscuits, pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches, cookies and some of that delicious Chick-fil-A sweet tea!

Not only did they bring the food and prepare it, they also served it! And just like a visit to Chick-fil-A, the crew served the food with a smile and that courteous spirit we all know and love from the restaurant. And once they were finished with both meals served, they stayed to clean up which allowed our kitchen staff to enjoy a day off!

This isn’t the first time that Chick-fil-A has volunteered to provide and serve food to our residents and guests. And we definitely hope it’s not the last time either – not just because the food is a crowd favorite – but because we genuinely enjoy the enthusiastic, fun-loving and especially courteous attitudes of the crew from Chick-fil-A. It was even fun to watch them play the game Head’s Up! as a group before all of our guests arrived. We just really enjoyed having Chick-fil-A volunteer again this year.

Many local businesses, like Chick-fil-A, serve our residents and guests at various times throughout the year. And so many churches volunteer to prepare and serve dinner and many even host our evening chapel as well. If you would like to join Chick-fil-A and the others by volunteering to serve please email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com or call us at 301.739.1165.

Each year we serve thousands of men, women, and children free meals. Our kitchen never has a day off. Whether it’s a holiday, inclement weather, or just a regular day of the week, our kitchen is always open and preparing food so that no one in our community is ever without food.

If volunteering isn’t possible but you’d still like to be a part of feeding the community then consider donating food or becoming a monthly financial donor of The Hope Center. By visiting http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com you can learn about all the various programs and services we provide for free for the community and you can also get all the info needed to learn how you can partner with us to make a difference.

Again, we want to thank Chick-fil-A for stopping by and providing such a great meal and atmosphere for our guests! If you’re craving a chicken sandwich and waffle fries then head over to Chick-fil-A on Wesel Blvd in Hagerstown!

You Ready to Rock the Run?

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It won’t be long until we host our first 5K Race/Walk in Hagerstown!

Our Rock the Run: A Race for Hope will take place on Saturday, April 25th at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown.

5k Race Sign Feb 1

We are dedicated to helping our neighbors who are homeless & hungry get the shelter, food, and support they need during tough times. This race is just another way for all of our friends in the area to come together and show support and love for those who are struggling.

Money raised through this race will help to fund our homeless (transient) shelter which operates every day of the year. We provide hot showers, toiletries, food, and a warm bed for thousands of homeless people each year.

And we’ve been providing these same services to people since 1955 at no cost to our guests or the tax payer! 

Participating in this race helps to make sure that the less fortunate have a safe, comfortable and loving place to rest, relax, and refresh all in the name of Christ.

You ready to help? Go to http://www.rocktherunhagerstown.com to register. And be sure to spread the word to your family, friends, coworkers, church, civic clubs, and more!

We’ll also have our donation trucks available at the race if you have gently used items for our Thrift Stores and Family Assistance ministry as well as food items for our food bank.

If you would like to talk to someone about Rock the Run: A Race for Hope, please call 301.739.1165.