{"id":137,"date":"2026-04-16T15:17:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heuristic-yonath.40-160-33-16.plesk.page\/?p=137"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:17:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:17:43","slug":"covid-19-food-insecurity-continues-to-grow-in-lebanon-county-and-4-other-things-you-should-know-about-lccm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heuristic-yonath.40-160-33-16.plesk.page\/?p=137","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19: Food insecurity continues to grow in Lebanon County and 4 other things you should know about LCCM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n\"Picture\"<\/a>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nClint waited in line at the free noon meal at Lebanon County Christian Ministries on Wednesday.\n\nThe Lebanon man, a medical transport driver, has been to the noon meal periodically in the past but has come back recently because his hours at work have been cut down from 40 per week to about 25 \u2013 30, if he\u2019s lucky – as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s just not enough work to go around,\u201d he said.\n\nUnsurprisingly, demand for food assistance in Lebanon County – and throughout the world \u2013 is surging.\nLebanon County residents facing food insecurity are turning to food pantries such as Lebanon County Christian Ministries, the Caring Cupboard in Palmyra and J.O.Y.\u00a0 Pantry in Jonestown in greater numbers.\n\n\u201cOverall, we are seeing an increase in noon meal guests and individuals seeking emergency food orders,\u201d said Bryan Smith, LCCM\u2019s Executive Director.\n\nMore: Lebanon County households financially affected by by COVID-19 seeking food assistance at LCCM<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>GIVE TODAY<\/span><\/a>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u200bWhat that need will look like in two to three months is anyone\u2019s guess, but LCCM is making projections based off preliminary data collected in the first few weeks of the crisis that the need will continue to rise.<\/span>\n\n\u201cI think the biggest thing is the unknowns,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWhile we\u2019ve seen an upward trend in needs, we don\u2019t know if those trends will continue to grow at the same pace or if there will be an exponential growth leading to higher demand.\u201d<\/span>\n\u200b<\/span>\nHere are 5 things you should know about how COVID-19 is affecting LCCM and how you can help.\n\nRelated<\/font><\/strong>\nIf you or someone you know needs food assistance, please be advised of our modified hours.<\/a> Call 717-272-4400 to schedule an appointment.<\/em><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

1. The growing need<\/h2>\n
\n\u200bStaff and volunteers began noticing a gradual increase in noon meal attendance numbers in mid-March. Daily attendance rose from it\u2019s normal 130 individuals to 167, then skyrocketing to 212 in just one week.\u00a0\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n\"Picture\"<\/a>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nEmergency food orders for individuals and families also steadily began to rise. LCCM sees an average of about 38 households needing emergency food each week, but recently it\u2019s been averaging between 50 to 60\u00a0 households each week.\n\nSince mid-March through Friday, April 3, LCCM served 39 households financially affected by the crisis \u2013 those households include 116 individuals. Ninety-seven percent of those households experienced job loss as a result of the crisis, while 3 percent saw a reduction in hours at work. Ninety-five percent were working full-time. \u00a0\n\u200b\nIn the chart below, we\u2019ve included the total number of households and individuals served (normal need as well as households affected by COVID) over the past five weeks. You can see how the need spiked at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis during Week 3.\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n\"Picture\"<\/a>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2. Volunteers<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\"Picture\"<\/a>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nWith only eight full-time staff members and one part-time staff member, LCCM heavily relies on more than 80 in-house volunteers throughout its many programs every week.\n\n\u201cWe have absolutely seen a decrease in volunteers because a lot of our volunteers are at-risk individuals, and we respect that and appreciate and encourage them to stay home and do what they need to for their own health and their family\u2019s health,\u201d Smith said.\n\nWith that loss, LCCM has, however, seen an uptick in other volunteers who are able to step in and fill in the gaps.\u00a0\n\nIf you’d like to help, sign up here<\/a> and we’ll send out an eblast as needs arise.\u00a0\n<\/div>\n

3. Safety measures and modified hours<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\"Picture\"<\/a>\n
\nBeth come to the noon meal regularly and says that it is a blessing to her and her sons, ages 9 and 12. “It’s a blessing and we appreciate it very much,” she said. “We wouldn’t know what we’d do without it.”\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nLCCM is still in operation but has modified its hours and put safety measures in place to protect its staff, volunteers and guests.\u00a0 These changes include:\n
    \n
  • Modified lobby hours. The lobby is only open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Most chairs have been removed and the ones that remain are spaced 6 feet apart.<\/font><\/li>\n
  • Pre-scheduled food pickups. Individuals and families utilizing LCCM\u2019s emergency food program must call and pre-schedule their pickup! Distribution\u00a0will occur Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-5 p.m. This will ensure our team is able to prepare food for each recipient and have it ready at your scheduled pickup time.\u00a0Pickup will not be available on Friday, April 10 since LCCM will be closed to observe Good Friday.<\/font><\/li>\n
  • Pickup location. When coming for food pick-up, individuals who ordered food must report directly to the food pickup on the east side of the building (follow signage for food pick up.)<\/font><\/li>\n
  • Takeout meals. The noon meal will continue to be served at LCCM daily but is only available as a to-go meal.<\/font><\/li>\n
  • Metered entry for TEFAP program. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will continue on the first, second, third and fourth Wednesdays with restrictions on the number of guests in the building at one time.<\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    4. Food supply\u00a0<\/h2>\n
    \n
    \n