New Name, Same Heart♥
A doorway to dignity, hope, and stability.
For nearly 80 years, the Lancaster County community has nurtured this organization from a collection of local faith leaders, to the largest food pantry in the County. Now, thanks to your trust and investment, you have helped us reach our next chapter.
We are now Lancaster Hub: a doorway to dignity, hope, and stability.
This new name better reflects the trust that the Lancaster Community has put in this place, the Neighbors who walk through its doors (whether they are giving or receiving support), and the importance of meeting its mission of supporting essential human needs.
Lancaster Hub’s services will remain the same, and–with your support–continue to grow to connect more Neighbors with ways to give, receive, and build community together.
The History of the Hub: Neighbors supporting Neighbors
Founded to meet community needs
Post-WWII community action led to local networks supporting arriving refugees and vulnerable populations in Lancaster.
United Churches of Lancaster
In May of 1947, representatives from 38 charter member congregations formed the United Churches of Lancaster County, creating a local network and clothing pantry to support recently arrived refugees from World War II.
Migrant Workers Committee
Formed to address housing, medical care, and safe working conditions for seasonal agricultural workers arriving in the region.
Clothing Bank
Clothing bank launched as first service project in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee.
Acting justly and loving mercy
Evolving from a coalition to a Council. A new focus on food security, social justice, and community meals.
The Council of Churches
While the United Churches of Lancaster continued to achieve local impact, the issue arose of being consistently confused with the United Church of Christ. To fix this, the name Lancaster County Council of Churches was adopted.
CONTACT Lancaster
24-hour phone helpline called CONTACT Lancaster began. This program would eventually be expanded under the United Way to become 2-1-1.
A place at the table
Food pantry and community meals introduced at the Council of Churches.
A new focus on social justice
Spurred by national movements, the Lancaster County Council of Churches championed the causes of addressing racism and prejudice in Lancaster County.
Establishing Welcome
Expanding outreach services through specialized programming, shelter initiatives, and targeted advocacy.
Prison Chaplaincy
Prison Chaplaincy established, resulting in a work release program that allowed prisoners to work in churches and community agencies.
Homelessness Prevention
Homelessness Prevention Programs began at the Council to address the obstacles facing unhoused Neighbors in Lancaster.
From Council to Hub
A new century with new challenges and opportunities to support Neighbors.
Dress for Success
Working Wardrobe, a program to help Neighbors access professional clothing to prepare for job interviews and employment was introduced. This program would eventually become PA Workwear.
Women's Shelter
The Council establishes a women's and women with children winter shelter to support unhoused Neighbors in Lancaster County.
Food Farmacy
In partnership with Lancaster General Health, the Council begins hosting the Lancaster General Health Food Farmacy, which combines one-on-one meetings with a registered dietitian and access to healthy food options. The program aims to improve health outcomes, nutrition-related knowledge and skills, and dietary habits among patients who are also experiencing food insecurity, or inability to access enough food to live an active, healthy life.
Lancaster County Food Hub
After shifting from a church designation to a charitable one to access a broader, more inclusive funding base, the organization changes its name to the Lancaster County Food Hub.
Emergency Shelter
The Food Hub restablished the Welcome Place and expanded winter shelter to 365 nights a year and added daytime shelter outreach program.
Breaking Barriers to build better futures
Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Food Hub's capital campaign was fully funded, allowing the expansion of the Hub's outreach center from 500 square feet to 5,500 square feet.
Outreach Center Expanded
The Food Hub establishes the Outreach Day Center program to support unhoused Neighbors with access to rest, community, and connection to resources for their next right steps.
SNAP Crisis
The Lancaster County community's generosity flows in the wake of the prolonged government shutdown, affecting SNAP benefits for Neighbors across the country. Despite the great need, Neighbors joined with Neighbors to support as many as possible.
The next chapter of Neighbors supporting Neighors:
In a newspaper article published in 1958 celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the founding of the United Churches of Lancaster, a heading reads “They Never Abandoned a Task”. The Lancaster County community’s dedication to doing what needs to be done to help Neighbors of all experiences, abilities, and backgrounds live safe and fulfilling lives has helped this organization never abandon the task of meeting essential human needs.
Because whether you are giving or receiving services, volunteering or visiting, we are all Neighbors, and all Neighbors deserve community, respect, connection, openness, and responsiveness to their needs.
Thanks to your support, we enter a new chapter together as Lancaster Hub, as we work together to grow a Lancaster County that supports and empowers neighbors toward lives of dignity and stability.
Join the Hub:
