Water Street Mission annual food drive kicks off, aims to set donation record


Water Street Mission hopes to collect a record-setting 110,000 pounds of food for residents of its emergency and residential shelters during its annual food drive, which kicks off Nov. 1.

The Rescue Mission Food Drive, which also benefits thousands of people monthly who receive grocery assistance, runs through Dec. 22.

“Each year we look forward to Rescue Mission Food Drive as a tangible way our community can show love to those experiencing homelessness,” said Jack Crowley, president of Water Street Mission. “The impact a meal can make in rejuvenating and showing love to someone in need is huge.”

The number of people receiving shelter at Water Street Mission is rising and has reached its highest point since before the pandemic, according to Matt Clement, Water Street Mission marketing director. The nonprofit’s cafeteria provides more than 300 meals a day to residents.

Here's how to find free access to shelters, food and clothing in Lancaster County

While Clement said he can’t pinpoint specifically what caused the rise, he attributes it in part to problems with affordable housing.

“You’re definitely seeing people losing a lot of support that they had from COVID, whether that be insurance support, whether that be financial support, unemployment, things like that,” Clement said.

The list of requested items for the food drive include nonperishable staples like cereal, canned soup, instant mashed potatoes and oatmeal — and nothing in a glass container.

Clement said some especially useful items are boxed pasta, rice and canned meat.

The Rescue Mission Food Drive collected 94,000 pounds of food in 2022, just short of that year’s 100,000-pound goal.

“The need is … gonna be a lot more this fall,” Clement said, “especially with the number of people who are staying with us. And so every little bit counts. It’s a massive amount of support that we need to keep things moving forward.”

Water Street Mission will collect donations at the Lancaster County locations of Sheetz, Weis Market and Sharp Shopper. Other drop offs include Bomberger’s Store in Lititz and most M&T Bank locations in the county.

Water Street Mission’s campus at 210 S Prince St. in Lancaster city will also accept donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Items can be left at the loading dock, located near the corner of Water and Farnum streets. More information is available at rescuemissionfooddrive.org.

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Drop-off locations

AAA Central Penn: 727 S. Broad St., Lititz

AAA Central Penn: 804 Estelle Drive, East Hempfield Township

Berger Rental Communities: 10 Prince St., Lancaster city

Bomberger’s Store: 555 Furnace Hills Pike, Warwick Township

Community Aid: 31 Rohrerstown Road, East Hempfield Township

M&T Bank: 104 S. Market St., Elizabethtown

M&T Bank: 1603 Manheim Pike, Manheim Township

M&T Bank: 1701 Oregon Pike, Manheim Township

M&T Bank: 1847 Columbia Ave., East Hempfield Township

M&T Bank: 210 E. Main St., New Holland

M&T Bank: 2421 Old Philadelphia Pike, East Lampeter Township

M&T Bank: 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike, Leacock Township

Restoration Relief: 350 Railroad Ave., Ephrata Borough

Sharp Shopper: 1041 Sharp Ave., Clay Township

Sharp Shopper: 340 W. Main St., Leola

Sheetz: All Lancaster County locations

Weis Market: All Lancaster County locations

Requested food items

  • Boxed cereal
  • Boxed stuffing mix
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned meats (spam/tuna)
  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned soup
  • Canned yams or sweet potatoes
  • Coffee (beans or ground)
  • Instant mashed potatoes
  • Juice (OJ & apple – plastic)
  • Ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise
  • Oatmeal
  • Grits
  • Pancake mix and syrup
  • Pasta
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Rice (all kinds)
  • Salad dressings
  • SpaghettiOs
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Cans of Chef Boyardee (canned spaghetti, ravioli)
  • Cans of beef stew
  • Boxed hamburger helper-type mixes
  • Mac & cheese
Source: Water Street Mission

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