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Page 9 Southern Pennsylvania District
2025 SOPA Meat Canning Project Report
The District would like to thank all of the congregations who supported
and volunteered at our annual meat canning project. This year, we were
able to process 17,920 lbs of chicken in four days of canning. As in past
years, the canned meat is divided three ways—a third goes to the Mid-
Atlantic District Church of the Brethren for their distribution within their
District; a third to Southern PA District for distribution to our churches and a number of local
food banks. The final third this year is being directed to western North Carolina, specifically
to the areas of Burnsville and Martinsville. These areas, which are slightly west of Ashville,
NC, were hit particularly hard during Hurricane Helene in 2024, that came through, taking out
roadways, bridges, homes, etc. It is our understanding that getting to some of the residents in
the mountainous areas has been happening via mule teams as there are still people who are liv-
ing in very temporary facilities. Thus the need for assistance and food is still great in this area
of North Carolina.
The District Witness and Outreach Commission coordinated the chicken distribution to North
Carolina through Loretta Tharp. Loretta is associated with the Shady Grove Ruritan Club.
Shady Grove is located between Waynesboro and Greencastle, PA. The Ruritan Clubs are the
nation’s largest volunteer service organization with clubs in rural communities across the
country. This group got involved in Western North Carolina at first by providing campers for
displaced persons to live in while they were getting their lives back together. Since Hurricane
Helene, they have been working on a regular basis with groups who provide meals at a soup
kitchen feeding volunteers and locals alike. They have also provided food for distribution to
those in need in several small communities near Ashville. The Ruritan Club intends to use the
canned chicken in their soup kitchen as well as distribute it to those in need.
God Bless this outreach!
2025 COB Annual Conference Update
It takes a village of volunteers to staff Annual Conference. There are many ways you can help.
Caregivers and chaperones are needed for our age group activities (early childhood-Sr. High youth).
25-30 Ushers are needed for each worship service.
Tellers are needed to help with vote counts and distribute materials to the delegate body.
Around 550 delegate packets need to be stuffed on Wednesday evening after worship.
Assistance is needed with registration and ticket sales.
Folks are needed to staff the silent auction.
People who are bilingual in English and Spanish are needed to assist with simultaneous interpretation
during business and worship services.
Doctors, nurses, and EMTs are needed to staff the first aid room.
Caring companions are needed for some attendees with accessibility needs.
If you have an hour or two or more to spare and would like to be part of our volunteer vil-
lage, please visit: https://cobrethren.wufoo.com/forms/p1gyzz3002y6t3j
on the Church of the Brethren Website
