x
Breaking News
More () »

Community Heartbroken “Love Center” Plans to Close Its Doors

JERSEY SHORE — Families that depend on a soup kitchen and food pantry in Lycoming County will soon have to go someplace else. Heartbroken volunteers share...

JERSEY SHORE -- Families that depend on a soup kitchen and food pantry in Lycoming County will soon have to go someplace else.

Heartbroken volunteers shared a hug inside the Love Center in Jersey Shore, which is closing at the end of the week.

“Kind of this loss feeling, like what are we going to do now? How is the community going to survive?” asked Agnes Koch, the head cook.

Love Center is a soup kitchen and food pantry on Allegheny Street. The American Rescue Workers run the place. They say they do not have enough money to keep the building open. The center plans to close its doors for good at the end of the week.

“My heart breaks because I know they need this place,” said Office Manager Denise Gibbs.

In order to pay its bills, Love Center depends on donations from the community and on income from a thrift store run by the American Rescue Workers. There's less money coming in from both sources, so the soup kitchen and the food pantry upstairs will close.

Boxes filled with food will be handed out to families in need before the pantry closes, but everything else left on the shelves will be boxed up and sent to the American Rescue Center in Williamsport.

“I think people need our support and were counting on our support,” Gibbs said.

“I`m very concerned. I`m not sure. It`s a great loss,” said Amy Hall from Jersey Shore.

The center said nearly 550 families rely on food from the pantry each month and about 100 people come for lunch at the kitchen every day that includes, Amy Hall and her son Mason.

“A lot of people in this area are depending on this and it`s their only meal of the day and their leftovers may be their dinner,” said Hall.

Love Center is unsure if a new food pantry will open in Jersey Shore, for now, the center says folks will have to travel to Williamsport or to the Salvation Army in Lock Haven for support.

Before You Leave, Check This Out