Backpacks of Hope is an initiative of Our Father’s Hope. When children enter foster care, they often do so with little to nothing to call their own. If the child has anything to take into his new home, it’s usually shoved into a garbage bag. On the other end, foster families often don’t know the age or gender of a child coming into their home until just before the child arrives. Having a backpack with supplies and comfort items gives the child something to call her own and helps the new family with everything a child would need for the first night, giving them time with the child rather than needing to run to the store right away.

Interested in Donating to Backpacks of Hope?
We take donations at any time. Donated goods should be new or like new. If you wouldn’t give it to a child you love, then please don’t donate it for an at-risk child.

We can use items for newborns through teens: backpacks, PJs, flashlights, toiletries, stuffed animals, and blankets. We also accept donations of books, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, underwear, socks, small games and toys, etc. We love handmade items!

The NL Clothing Closet is a FREE resource to residents of the Northern Lebanon school district who express a need for clothing and make less than 225% of the federal poverty guidelines (or have extenuating circumstances). We also serve people, regardless of income or residency, who are referred to us by social workers, congregations in the district, or other community resources.

WHERE WE ARE: We are in the IU 13's "Northern Education Center" (formerly the Jonestown Elementary building). Look for "Door 13" off S. Lancaster St. You can park on S. Lancaster St., in the small lot there, or in the gravel lot on E. Hazel St. Please DO NOT park in the loading dock area.

HOW TO DONATE: Gently used and new clothing donations are accepted during any of our open hours, which are listed on our website. Please, sort clothing by gender and size prior to donating. A wish list of especially needed items is available on our webpage. Financial contributions can be made payable to "NL Ministerium" and mailed to PO Box 658, Jonestown, PA 17038.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER: Volunteers are our lifeline! Volunteers help process and display clothing, write thank you letters and solicit contributions from companies, and assist during shopping hours. All ages are welcome to volunteer behind the scenes; volunteers must be at least 18 to help during shopping hours. A volunteer sign-up can be found on our website and questions can be directed to the email listed below.

nlclothingcloset@gmail.com
(717) 454-3697
nlclothingcloset.org

When everyone "pulls" together, you can make a difference!

You can help support the Ronald McDonald Houses of Central Pennsylvania (RMHC-CP) by saving the tabs you pull from canned beverages and other aluminum cans. They can only accept aluminum tabs, so if the tab does not stick to a magnet – it’s aluminum!

“Toss Your Gloss” By Collecting and Donating Your Old Magazines!

Donated magazines are processed and sold to a paper mill, which turns the discarded paper into new magazine paper. A portion of the proceeds from each ton of paper collected comes directly to RMHC-CP.  Since this program began in 2004, over $397,000 has been raised by recycling over 15,000 tons of glossy paper.

Funds generated from both of these donations help support RMHC-CP programs!