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New Love Center tells commissioners it will expand mobile pantry, launch education center
Summary
The New Love Center described its Pantry Choice, mobile pantry and school programs and said a United Way innovation grant will fund a new "Wheels of Change" mobile outreach; the nonprofit asked the Lycoming County commissioners for continued advocacy and support.
Holly Beaver, executive director of The New love center, told the Lycoming County Board of Commissioners that the nonprofit plans to expand its mobile pantry and open an education center in 2026 while continuing programs that serve thousands of county residents.
Beaver said the pantry’s services include a choice-based distribution model and a mobile pantry that reaches residents in rural communities. "The new love center is a faith based nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and feeding hope throughout our community," she said.
The presentation gave county leaders specific program metrics and near-term plans: the Pantry Choice operation serves about 840 Lycoming County residents per month; the mobile pantry currently serves about 339 residents at four Lycoming County locations (Cogan House, Lairdville, Muncie and Trout Run) and the organization plans to add one to two additional mobile sites in Lycoming County in 2026. Beaver said a United Way of North Central Pennsylvania innovation grant will fund a mobile initiative called Wheels of Change, but the grant does not cover the entire project and the center is seeking additional funds to close the gap.
Beaver described complementary programs: a cafe in Jersey Shore that serves about 1,200 meals per month, a backpack program serving about 198 students in Lycoming County, and newly launched in-school snack pantries intended to let students select healthy snacks during the school day. She said the planned education center, targeted for 2026, will offer training in nutrition, budgeting, job readiness and life skills.
Commissioners and staff praised the center’s mobile outreach to areas with limited public transportation. One commissioner told Beaver the mobile unit reaches residents who otherwise lack reliable access to groceries and thanked her and staff for the work. Beaver invited county officials to support the center through advocacy, connections to county programs, collaboration on awareness events and consideration of funding or in-kind support.
"At the new love center, we believe that food is love in action. Every meal shared represents hope restored, burdens lifted, and lives touched," Beaver said.
The county did not take a formal vote on funding during the meeting; Beaver’s appearance was an informational item.
