Local churches help the needy

By noon on Saturday, over 50,000 pounds of potatoes were gone - not eaten on the spot, but picked up and shipped out for the needy as part of a cooperative effort between Columbia and Mountville churches.  Ken Sprout of Columbia's United Methodist Church and Doug Warner of Mountville's Saint Paul's Church organized the event, held at Glatfelter's Memorial Field in Columbia. Local volunteers, along with Boy Scout Troop 64, helped out.

200 50-pound bags of potatoes were taken to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg, and 100 bags went to the Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster. Bags also went to food banks in Elizabethtown and Manheim, and to individuals who picked them up for their own use.

This is the second year for the endeavor. Last year's was held in Mountville. 

The potatoes were grown on eight acres by a Rawlinsville farmer who wished to remain anonymous. Several months ago, he attended a meeting of the Columbia-Mountville United Methodist Men's group asking what he could do to help. Saying it was a "calling from God," he offered the potatoes, had them bagged, placed on skids, and shipped to the drop point in Columbia free of charge.  

The potato drop was coordinated by the United Methodist Men.

Ken Sprout of Columbia's United Methodist Church

Volunteers loading a truck.

Trucks from Central Pennsylvania Food bank and Water Street Rescue Mission picking up potatoes for distribution.

Skids piled with 50-lb bags

Helping load a skid on a pallet jack

Brett Hamaker helping out with a tow motor.