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HOPE in Lancaster celebrated 40 years of service at a June 1 ceremony in the Lancaster High School Multipurpose Building with a dinner and motivational guest speaker.
“We are grateful to the Lancaster community for always standing by us and supporting us with donations, food and volunteers so that we can help our neighbors in need,” said Executive Director Grace Lewis. “We have seen so much change over the past four decades, but our commitment to our mission has never wavered.
“We are so proud of what we have accomplished, but we know there is still much work to be done,” Lewis said.
Founded in 1983, HOPE (Helping Other People Effectively) in Lancaster Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and education that will promote food security and a path to economic mobility, said Khaleek Chapman, HOPE’s director of development. It has become a pillar of the community, with programs and services that address many of the widespread needs of citizens in Lancaster, he said.
According to HOPE in Lancaster’s 2022 Community Impact Report, it helped 3,135 people with financial assistance, 3,551 people with mentoring and 4,902 people with partner referrals. In total, HOPE helped 12,834 people, including 4,037 seniors, and distributed 1,849 FoodShare fresh produce boxes.
HOPE collected and distributed 413,210 pounds of donated food. HOPE also graduated three Getting Ahead Classes that year.
Board members and speakers were quick to thank volunteers, as many of HOPE’s operations would not be possible without community engagement. In 2022, a total of 10,298 volunteer hours were logged, equivalent to $308,440 in donated time.
Fifty different organizations were listed as grant, foundation and business donors in the Lancaster community. Forty-nine faith communities across the county have also supported HOPE’s mission.
Father Jeffrey F. Kirby of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church displayed how much his congregation cares by donating $40,000 to HOPE at the evening’s event, surrounded by members of the church.
“I personally am looking forward to the next 40 years, although I’ll be long gone when 2063 comes around,” said Assistant Director Susan Dolphin. “But I’m excited to think about those who will come after me to continue the work of serving this community. Just as the legacy of the past 40 years has been left behind us, we now turn toward the future with eager hearts, with joy, knowing that this work will continue, because this community cares.”
Guest speaker Dr. Kimberly Johnson, children’s author and educator with Simply Creative Works, engaged the crowd by encouraging them to “ignite” the community to serve, but mainly to cheer and rally together during the evening.
“You’re gonna know where you need to be,” Johnson said. “And if you continue to work with this organization, pouring your heart and soul into it, then you are operating on a purpose, to create change.”
“You see, each one of us every day has an opportunity and an obligation to be a servant leader to those around you, and to share, to give and to care,” she said.
HOPE in Lancaster’s Board Chairman Tom Lever said the organization is excited to share the joys and successes of the 40-year milestone with the community.
“We have accomplished so much over the past 40 years, but we know that there is still much to do,” he said. “With the continued support of our donors, volunteers and partners, we are confident that we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of people in our community.”
