HUB WORK SESSIONS - EVERY THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH.
Needs of the HUB: a list is available in the HUB room.
Needs of the HUB: a list is available in the HUB room.
MISSION CENTRAL HUB AT CLEONA
End of Year Letter
If these walls could talk, what would they say? What started out as an empty warehouse 21 years ago has been transformed into a hustling, bustling hub of community connection, hope, and support. Mission Central is a one-of-a-kind organization in the North Eastern part of the
United States. While most organizations have one specialty, Mission Central is unique in operating in a multitude of ways, and we pride ourselves on this. When someone crosses the threshold into our warehouse, we often hear gasps. Our building is truly impressive, and so are the stories and truths that it holds. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where our partners can turn to for assistance. When one of our 600 partners needs a resource, they can reach out to us. Thousands upon thousands of people enter our doors each year. Whether they are coming to work, volunteer, donate, or even receive, there is a place for everyone. They come because they believe in what is happening between these walls and have a passion for meeting needs and sharing that energy and love with local, national, and even international communities. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where collaborative operations happen. Whether it be cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers, furniture, food, or computers, our building houses them all. In 2022, 20.4 million dollars in supplies left our warehouse, bound for over 6.3 million people. About 50% of those resources stayed in PA, 30% were distributed through the rest of the United States, and 19% of those resources were distributed outside of the country. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where hope is being packaged. Whether it be one of our 10 kits that go out to help our neighbors in need, shoes or clothing, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, school supplies, Flood Buckets to help during times when a natural disaster hits, or more, these resources are transported to places and people who desperately need that hope. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where people can feel valued. In 2022, 4,396 volunteers worked 13,893 hours, valuing over $416,000. Volunteers come as groups or as individuals, are from all races, nationalities, and religions, and have a variety of capacities. We can find a place for everyone. Mission Central’s warehouse NEEDS YOU. In this very unique time, your contribution is even more essential. It costs $2,000 daily to keep this warehouse open. Your donation of $250 will be put to work immediately and allow us to continue to have a direct impact on those in need now and into 2024. We are funded solely through donations from various churches,
businesses, individuals like you and other community-minded organizations. Join us today in our mission! Your gift can go a long way in helping us to Connect God’s Resources with Human Need. Thank you for helping us do what we do.
In gratitude,
Hope Harrison
Executive Director
P.S. Thank you for your continued support! Your gift of $250 will allow us to assist at least 50 people next year!
November 2023 HUB Report
Details in this report represent the last year’s activities from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. On February 28, 2023, the HUB marked the 13th year of activity at Immanuel UMC. With relaxing of health restrictions nationwide the HUB was more active. People from a variety of places volunteered to help with the preparation, assembly and organization of supplies that have been sent out to help those in need locally, nationally, and globally. The HUB saw an increase of volunteers, nearly 100 more than last year. VOLUNTEERS: 278 Monthly work sessions were held inviting people to work together on a variety
of projects. There were faithful volunteers from Immanuel who showed up
each month, one regular volunteer from Lebanon Church of the Good Shepherd and LVC students throughout the school year. Special work sessions were held for these groups:
•
Lebanon Valley College Field and Track Team in January
•
Gretna Glen Confirmation Camp in April
•
Lebanon Valley College Freshmen in August
•
Lebanon Valley College sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma in October
•
Youth Group from Curllsville, PA in September
Churches which participated by being at the regular work sessions or by doing work projects on their own that were sent to the HUB for distribution
included:
•
Bushkill UMC
•
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon
•
Grace Community Church, Curllsville, PA
•
Calvary UMC, Mohnton
•
Lansdale UMC
•
Falmouth UMC
•
Bellegrove UMC
UMCOR KITS DELIVERED TO MISSION CENTRAL
Each HUB across the Northeast prepares specific emergency kits that are
defined and distributed by the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
network. These two kits go throughout the US.
#DELIVERED
EST VALUE
TOTAL• Cleaning Kits 12 $75 $ 1950
•
Hygiene Kits 425 $12 $ 5100 $ 7050
UMCOR discontinued the collection and distribution of items for School
Kits, so school items that have been gathered by the HUB, went out to local students who had needs. But in addition to these two kits several deliveries went to Mission Central including medical items, computers and computer peripherals, books, shoes, suitcases and handbags.
SECHLER CANCER CENTER
This year the HUB found a new mission which helps both local residents
and those throughout the region. Sechler Cancer Center in Lebanon contacted the HUB about food supplements that are sometimes unused. Food supplements usually in cans are needed by cancer patients at various stages of treatment. Some supplements change as the cancer treatment changes. Doctors prescribe these supplements and Sechler Cancer Center through their dieticians and other medical staff assist patients with obtaining and using these supplements. Many of them can be quite expensive. When patients no longer use a particular supplement, they cannot be returned to the provider because the case has been opened, but they continue to be useful. Some patients bring their excess supplements to Sechler. A Sechler dietician contacted us about finding a useful way to get these items to patients in need. Mission Central is a partner with the Oley Foundation that maintains a national registry of available food supplements. Mission Central provides these supplements free to patients in need. Our HUB is now collecting these food supplements from the Sechler Cancer Center and from individuals and delivering them to Mission Central so that someone can use them. In the past few months, we have made several pickups at Sechler and one at a private home where the survivor of a cancer patient wanted to know that the leftover supplements from her deceased husband were going to a good purpose. We have also been able to refer several new patients to Mission Central so they could find the type of food supplement they needed quickly and without charge. Helping our community in this way has been a blessing to the HUB.
AFCA
Deliveries are also made to the AFCA (American Foundation for Children
with AIDS) warehouse in Lebanon with medical supplies, including shower
seats, braces, adult diapers, crutches, and walkers. These items were shipped to hospitals in Africa. AFCA is one of Mission Central’s partners in mission, giving many of their medical supplies to them for use each year. Since we are close to the warehouse, we deliver directly to them. Many medical supplies go to AFCA, such as gauze, braces, syringes, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. But two of the items that we deliver there are Mission Central kits with specific supplies. These go to midwives to assist in birthing in homes and hospitals
#DELIVERED VALUE TOTAL•
Maternity kits 273 $12 $3276
•
Baby kits
122 $45 $5490 $8760
DONATIONS RECEIVED BY THE HUB•
Cash donations from church members, some who give on a monthly basis are appreciated and put to use as soon as possible. In 2023 the HUB received $1060 in personal donations.
•
Immanuel’s budget donated $300.
•
Funds were raised by HUB volunteers at the dance recital concession
stand for a total of $1444.
•
The Eastern PA Conference of the UMC donated $200.
•
Bellegrove UMC donated $200
•
A special gift was received from Covenant UMC, Lebanon HUB. The HUB
there was closed this year due to lack of staff and the balance in their treasury of $2259.89 was donated so it could be used in mission ministry.
OUTREACH
All of these activities allowed Immanuel UMC to reach out to their community and beyond. If you count up the various kits made just here in Cleona you will see that over 800 individuals were touched by this congregation. This does not account for the miscellaneous items, like walkers, computers, and shoes that have been given. The HUB allows us to reach beyond our walls and share God’s love with people we don’t know.
Lebanon County Christian Ministry needs:
Men’s slacks
Sneakers
Socks
NEW Underwear & Boxers
Paper Products (toilet tissue, Paper towels, Facial tissue)
Manwich
Ketchup & Mustard
Large Jars of Jelly
End of Year Letter
If these walls could talk, what would they say? What started out as an empty warehouse 21 years ago has been transformed into a hustling, bustling hub of community connection, hope, and support. Mission Central is a one-of-a-kind organization in the North Eastern part of the
United States. While most organizations have one specialty, Mission Central is unique in operating in a multitude of ways, and we pride ourselves on this. When someone crosses the threshold into our warehouse, we often hear gasps. Our building is truly impressive, and so are the stories and truths that it holds. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where our partners can turn to for assistance. When one of our 600 partners needs a resource, they can reach out to us. Thousands upon thousands of people enter our doors each year. Whether they are coming to work, volunteer, donate, or even receive, there is a place for everyone. They come because they believe in what is happening between these walls and have a passion for meeting needs and sharing that energy and love with local, national, and even international communities. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where collaborative operations happen. Whether it be cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers, furniture, food, or computers, our building houses them all. In 2022, 20.4 million dollars in supplies left our warehouse, bound for over 6.3 million people. About 50% of those resources stayed in PA, 30% were distributed through the rest of the United States, and 19% of those resources were distributed outside of the country. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where hope is being packaged. Whether it be one of our 10 kits that go out to help our neighbors in need, shoes or clothing, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, school supplies, Flood Buckets to help during times when a natural disaster hits, or more, these resources are transported to places and people who desperately need that hope. Mission Central’s warehouse is a place where people can feel valued. In 2022, 4,396 volunteers worked 13,893 hours, valuing over $416,000. Volunteers come as groups or as individuals, are from all races, nationalities, and religions, and have a variety of capacities. We can find a place for everyone. Mission Central’s warehouse NEEDS YOU. In this very unique time, your contribution is even more essential. It costs $2,000 daily to keep this warehouse open. Your donation of $250 will be put to work immediately and allow us to continue to have a direct impact on those in need now and into 2024. We are funded solely through donations from various churches,
businesses, individuals like you and other community-minded organizations. Join us today in our mission! Your gift can go a long way in helping us to Connect God’s Resources with Human Need. Thank you for helping us do what we do.
In gratitude,
Hope Harrison
Executive Director
P.S. Thank you for your continued support! Your gift of $250 will allow us to assist at least 50 people next year!
November 2023 HUB Report
Details in this report represent the last year’s activities from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. On February 28, 2023, the HUB marked the 13th year of activity at Immanuel UMC. With relaxing of health restrictions nationwide the HUB was more active. People from a variety of places volunteered to help with the preparation, assembly and organization of supplies that have been sent out to help those in need locally, nationally, and globally. The HUB saw an increase of volunteers, nearly 100 more than last year. VOLUNTEERS: 278 Monthly work sessions were held inviting people to work together on a variety
of projects. There were faithful volunteers from Immanuel who showed up
each month, one regular volunteer from Lebanon Church of the Good Shepherd and LVC students throughout the school year. Special work sessions were held for these groups:
•
Lebanon Valley College Field and Track Team in January
•
Gretna Glen Confirmation Camp in April
•
Lebanon Valley College Freshmen in August
•
Lebanon Valley College sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma in October
•
Youth Group from Curllsville, PA in September
Churches which participated by being at the regular work sessions or by doing work projects on their own that were sent to the HUB for distribution
included:
•
Bushkill UMC
•
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon
•
Grace Community Church, Curllsville, PA
•
Calvary UMC, Mohnton
•
Lansdale UMC
•
Falmouth UMC
•
Bellegrove UMC
UMCOR KITS DELIVERED TO MISSION CENTRAL
Each HUB across the Northeast prepares specific emergency kits that are
defined and distributed by the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
network. These two kits go throughout the US.
#DELIVERED
EST VALUE
TOTAL• Cleaning Kits 12 $75 $ 1950
•
Hygiene Kits 425 $12 $ 5100 $ 7050
UMCOR discontinued the collection and distribution of items for School
Kits, so school items that have been gathered by the HUB, went out to local students who had needs. But in addition to these two kits several deliveries went to Mission Central including medical items, computers and computer peripherals, books, shoes, suitcases and handbags.
SECHLER CANCER CENTER
This year the HUB found a new mission which helps both local residents
and those throughout the region. Sechler Cancer Center in Lebanon contacted the HUB about food supplements that are sometimes unused. Food supplements usually in cans are needed by cancer patients at various stages of treatment. Some supplements change as the cancer treatment changes. Doctors prescribe these supplements and Sechler Cancer Center through their dieticians and other medical staff assist patients with obtaining and using these supplements. Many of them can be quite expensive. When patients no longer use a particular supplement, they cannot be returned to the provider because the case has been opened, but they continue to be useful. Some patients bring their excess supplements to Sechler. A Sechler dietician contacted us about finding a useful way to get these items to patients in need. Mission Central is a partner with the Oley Foundation that maintains a national registry of available food supplements. Mission Central provides these supplements free to patients in need. Our HUB is now collecting these food supplements from the Sechler Cancer Center and from individuals and delivering them to Mission Central so that someone can use them. In the past few months, we have made several pickups at Sechler and one at a private home where the survivor of a cancer patient wanted to know that the leftover supplements from her deceased husband were going to a good purpose. We have also been able to refer several new patients to Mission Central so they could find the type of food supplement they needed quickly and without charge. Helping our community in this way has been a blessing to the HUB.
AFCA
Deliveries are also made to the AFCA (American Foundation for Children
with AIDS) warehouse in Lebanon with medical supplies, including shower
seats, braces, adult diapers, crutches, and walkers. These items were shipped to hospitals in Africa. AFCA is one of Mission Central’s partners in mission, giving many of their medical supplies to them for use each year. Since we are close to the warehouse, we deliver directly to them. Many medical supplies go to AFCA, such as gauze, braces, syringes, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. But two of the items that we deliver there are Mission Central kits with specific supplies. These go to midwives to assist in birthing in homes and hospitals
#DELIVERED VALUE TOTAL•
Maternity kits 273 $12 $3276
•
Baby kits
122 $45 $5490 $8760
DONATIONS RECEIVED BY THE HUB•
Cash donations from church members, some who give on a monthly basis are appreciated and put to use as soon as possible. In 2023 the HUB received $1060 in personal donations.
•
Immanuel’s budget donated $300.
•
Funds were raised by HUB volunteers at the dance recital concession
stand for a total of $1444.
•
The Eastern PA Conference of the UMC donated $200.
•
Bellegrove UMC donated $200
•
A special gift was received from Covenant UMC, Lebanon HUB. The HUB
there was closed this year due to lack of staff and the balance in their treasury of $2259.89 was donated so it could be used in mission ministry.
OUTREACH
All of these activities allowed Immanuel UMC to reach out to their community and beyond. If you count up the various kits made just here in Cleona you will see that over 800 individuals were touched by this congregation. This does not account for the miscellaneous items, like walkers, computers, and shoes that have been given. The HUB allows us to reach beyond our walls and share God’s love with people we don’t know.
Lebanon County Christian Ministry needs:
Men’s slacks
Sneakers
Socks
NEW Underwear & Boxers
Paper Products (toilet tissue, Paper towels, Facial tissue)
Manwich
Ketchup & Mustard
Large Jars of Jelly
For the most recent instructions on Relief Kits please go to:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/
Bring the supplies you collect to your HUB at Immanuel
Birthing Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/birthingkit/
Cleaining Bucket - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/flood-bucket/
Health Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/
Layette Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/layette-kit/
School Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/school-kit/
Sewing Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/sewing-kit/
HUB QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Some of you may be new to the Mission Central HUB or may have questions. We’ve tried to select a few of the questions we have heard and answered them below:
What is Mission Central?
It’s a large warehouse in Mechanicsburg, PA, that houses items needed in Christian mission around the world. It was founded by the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2002. Items are stored and then distributed throughout the world as the need arises. Thousands of volunteers go to Mission Central each year to help in the preparation of these supplies. While much of Mission Central’s work involves the preparation of materials used by UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, other missions are housed in the same warehouse, such as Computer Ministries and CURE, a medical supplies mission.
What is a HUB?
Mission Central currently has 20 HUBS, with locations throughout the northeastern US, where work similar to that at Mission Central can be done. HUBs collect specific kits for delivery to Mission Central, verify that kits delivered to them so they meet UMCOR standards, and serve as collection points for a variety of items needed by the various missions that are part of Mission Central.
Where do funds for the HUB come from?
Immanuel’s HUB’s funds come primarily from the donations of individuals. Supplies and money are donated by people in the congregation and by friends. Our HUB has had two fundraisers, a hot dog sale at the Marketplace, a Ministry Fair put on by Mission Central, and a potato filling sale. The HUB gives a tithe from these fundraisers to Mission Central to help in their shipping and maintenance costs.
Where do HUB supplies come from?
Supplies used in kits come primarily from donations from churches and groups who assemble relief kits. Funds donated to the HUB are then used to purchase additional items so that kits can be completed with all the required items. Sometimes, new items need to be purchased to replace some non-standard items in kits.
How is the HUB helping our own church and community?
Periodically, as supplies become available, non-standard and some standard items are used to make Friendship Kits that go out to the community. In the past 6 months, over 300 personal hygiene kits have been distributed to Lebanon Rescue Mission, Agape Family Shelter, and to Jubilee’s prison ministries. About 35 baby kits have been given to clients of Lebanon Family Health Services. These kits all include a message of friendship from Immanuel UMC and information on the church and its location.
Where do volunteers come from?
HUB volunteers can be anyone willing to participate and wanting to serve by helping others. To date, volunteers have come from Immanuel’s congregation, Lebanon Valley College students, Annville/Cleona High Sschool students, Gretna Glen campers, congregations of other churches in Lebanon, Schuylkill, and Berks County. Everyone can be a HUB volunteer; there is no church membership requirement, or UMC affiliation needed. Working in the HUB is open to anyone who would like to share in the experience.
Who manages the HUB?
The HUB coordinator for Immanuel is Jeanne Earnshaw. There is no official hierarchy at this time. Everyone’s ideas and service are welcome.
How long will the HUB go on?
The HUB will continue to function so long as there is a willingness of the people of Immanuel to participate in the projects. The HUB will always find needs if there are people who can give time and supplies.
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/
Bring the supplies you collect to your HUB at Immanuel
Birthing Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/birthingkit/
Cleaining Bucket - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/flood-bucket/
Health Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/
Layette Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/layette-kit/
School Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/school-kit/
Sewing Kit - http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/sewing-kit/
HUB QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Some of you may be new to the Mission Central HUB or may have questions. We’ve tried to select a few of the questions we have heard and answered them below:
What is Mission Central?
It’s a large warehouse in Mechanicsburg, PA, that houses items needed in Christian mission around the world. It was founded by the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2002. Items are stored and then distributed throughout the world as the need arises. Thousands of volunteers go to Mission Central each year to help in the preparation of these supplies. While much of Mission Central’s work involves the preparation of materials used by UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, other missions are housed in the same warehouse, such as Computer Ministries and CURE, a medical supplies mission.
What is a HUB?
Mission Central currently has 20 HUBS, with locations throughout the northeastern US, where work similar to that at Mission Central can be done. HUBs collect specific kits for delivery to Mission Central, verify that kits delivered to them so they meet UMCOR standards, and serve as collection points for a variety of items needed by the various missions that are part of Mission Central.
Where do funds for the HUB come from?
Immanuel’s HUB’s funds come primarily from the donations of individuals. Supplies and money are donated by people in the congregation and by friends. Our HUB has had two fundraisers, a hot dog sale at the Marketplace, a Ministry Fair put on by Mission Central, and a potato filling sale. The HUB gives a tithe from these fundraisers to Mission Central to help in their shipping and maintenance costs.
Where do HUB supplies come from?
Supplies used in kits come primarily from donations from churches and groups who assemble relief kits. Funds donated to the HUB are then used to purchase additional items so that kits can be completed with all the required items. Sometimes, new items need to be purchased to replace some non-standard items in kits.
How is the HUB helping our own church and community?
Periodically, as supplies become available, non-standard and some standard items are used to make Friendship Kits that go out to the community. In the past 6 months, over 300 personal hygiene kits have been distributed to Lebanon Rescue Mission, Agape Family Shelter, and to Jubilee’s prison ministries. About 35 baby kits have been given to clients of Lebanon Family Health Services. These kits all include a message of friendship from Immanuel UMC and information on the church and its location.
Where do volunteers come from?
HUB volunteers can be anyone willing to participate and wanting to serve by helping others. To date, volunteers have come from Immanuel’s congregation, Lebanon Valley College students, Annville/Cleona High Sschool students, Gretna Glen campers, congregations of other churches in Lebanon, Schuylkill, and Berks County. Everyone can be a HUB volunteer; there is no church membership requirement, or UMC affiliation needed. Working in the HUB is open to anyone who would like to share in the experience.
Who manages the HUB?
The HUB coordinator for Immanuel is Jeanne Earnshaw. There is no official hierarchy at this time. Everyone’s ideas and service are welcome.
How long will the HUB go on?
The HUB will continue to function so long as there is a willingness of the people of Immanuel to participate in the projects. The HUB will always find needs if there are people who can give time and supplies.
Dear Friends,
Thank you to all of you who attended our Saturday, May 3rd HUB Event. What a wonderful day we had together. I am grateful for all of you who traveled from near and far to attend. And thank you to all who helped to make it such a good day!
Attached is a picture taken by Jerry Wolgemuth from high atop the fork lift in the warehouse showing so well what we are about. We are all connected to one another through Mission Central. All 28 HUBs were represented with ribbons reflecting their regions. We are Many Parts, but One Body Connecting God’s Resources to Human Need. THANKS BE TO GOD!
Blessings to you all,
Jean Norris, HUB Committee Chair
Thank you to all of you who attended our Saturday, May 3rd HUB Event. What a wonderful day we had together. I am grateful for all of you who traveled from near and far to attend. And thank you to all who helped to make it such a good day!
Attached is a picture taken by Jerry Wolgemuth from high atop the fork lift in the warehouse showing so well what we are about. We are all connected to one another through Mission Central. All 28 HUBs were represented with ribbons reflecting their regions. We are Many Parts, but One Body Connecting God’s Resources to Human Need. THANKS BE TO GOD!
Blessings to you all,
Jean Norris, HUB Committee Chair