The Lancaster County Community Foundation announced that applications for the "Lancaster Thrives Together" grants have opened, marking a significant opportunity for community organizations serving residents of Lancaster County. The $375,000 grant initiative aims to address the root causes of poverty and support diverse needs across various communities within the county.
Program Director Dave Koser expressed the importance of these grants, emphasizing that they would help families achieve economic stability. "We have seen it ourselves and heard from our neighbors throughout the county that many in our community are being affected by economic hardship," he remarked. Koser added that by shifting more of their impact budget in 2025 towards innovative solutions, the foundation hopes to create positive change.
The grants, which range from $10,000 to $50,000, will be awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Applications are due by July 18, 2025, with recipients set to be announced in the fall.
In tandem with this funding initiative, Lancaster County residents are facing rising food insecurity, particularly highlighted by community figures like 74-year-old Margaret Thompson. Having returned to work and volunteering at HOPE in Lancaster, she shared her struggles to afford basic necessities despite her efforts. "It’s an uphill fight to the bottom," she stated, referencing the challenges many face in trying to make ends meet.
HOPE is one of the county’s primary food pantries, providing essential services including food, as well as rent and utility assistance. According to Executive Director Susan Dolphin, the demand for these services has seen a dramatic increase, skyrocketing from an average of about five financial clients a day to as high as 20 on some days.
"Once Covid-era protections against eviction and financial bumps from federal checks subsided, the slow stream of Lancaster residents in need turned into a river that has yet to subside," Dolphin noted, pointing to post-pandemic realities. As financial strain continues, factors such as rising home prices and rental costs compound the issue. A one-bedroom apartment in the area, which typically rented for $600 in 2020, now costs nearly $1,000 per month.
On top of this, the median home price in Lancaster City jumped from $290,000 in February 2022 to $319,000 in February 2025. This exacerbates the living conditions for many families, as reported figures from 2022 show that approximately 11,400 residents, translating to about 12% of the population, were food insecure.
Amid these challenges, HOPE is also aiming to enhance its service delivery by taking over The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) from another food pantry, Christian Services, as of March 3, 2025. TEFAP, a federal program, is designed to supplement the diets of low-income individuals, representing a vital resource for feeding those in need.
In recent times, the amount of food provided through TEFAP has dwindled due to the pandemic's lingering effects and the inability of stores to donate as much food as they used to. Dolphin highlighted the difficulties: "We used to have such an abundance that we could be very picky. We're just not getting as much [now]." This drop in food supplies makes it increasingly hard to cater to the demand from as many as 900 families each month.
As both organizations strive to navigate through this evolving landscape, hopes are pinned on collaborative efforts to tackle food insecurity. The adjustment allowing HOPE to administer TEFAP again, combined with the new grant opportunities from the Lancaster County Community Foundation, signifies a united front in support of those in need.
As organizations work to share available resources and collaborate effectively, community resilience becomes increasingly important for Lancaster County. The challenges ahead remain steep, but coordinated efforts provide a glimmer of hope for vulnerable residents striving to overcome economic hardship.
