The Community Calendar is a weekly feature of the Community Courier.
Local clubs, civic organizations, nonprofit agencies, schools, etc., that would like to have events or meeting date information published, should contact the Community Courier in writing at least two weeks before the event. No items will be accepted over the phone. Send news releases to Engle Publishing Company, Community Courier, P.O. Box 500, Mount Joy, PA 17552. Calendar items can also be emailed to ffulton@engleonline.com.
Summer Reading Program
Parkesburg Free Library is offering a virtual Summer Reading Program.
As part of the program, children up to age 11 are being asked to read or listen to books for 30 minutes per day. All others are being asked to read for 60 minutes a day. Participants will earn 10 points per day and earn school supplies at the end of the summer, depending on how many points they've earned. They can earn an additional reward by completing three activities in the Mission section of the program. To register or for more details, visit http://parkesburglibrary.readsquared.com.
In addition, the library is currently offering curbside pickup. More details are available by searching for "Parkesburg Free Library" on Facebook.
Gift Card Drive
Parkesburg Cub Scout Pack 135 and Boy Scout Troop 135 are holding a gift card drive for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard since Covid-19 affected the food drive that the troop and pack were going to host at Dutch-Way Farm Market in April.
The food bank is seeking gift cards from Walmart, Dutch-Way, Giant and Acme. To obtain the address where gift cards can be mailed, email Heather Bishop at bishop.hl@gmail.com. The gift card donation drive will be held through the end of July.
Aid For Mobile Homeowners
United Way of Chester County, in partnership with Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, is offering assistance to mobile homeowners in Chester County to file for property tax reassessment appeals.
The United Way will do all the work and pay the fees on behalf of the homeowners in the program. For details, visit http://www.chesco.org/199/assessment.
Library Curbside Pickup
Patrons of Moores Memorial Library can now order books in advance and then pick them up at the library, 9 W. Slokom Ave., Christiana. Hours for pickup service are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
As part of the process, patrons must check the online catalog for the materials they wish to borrow to confirm they are available from the library. To access the catalog, visit http://www.christianalibrary.org and click on the Resources tab. When the patrons have a list of their desired materials, they may call the library at 610-593-6683 to place their order with a librarian. There is a limit of five items per person.
Those who do not have computer access are asked to call the library. The librarian will ask for the patron's name, library card number and specific books or topics of books they would like. Then, the librarian will choose from materials available at the library to fill the requests as closely as possible.
Patrons will then be given a time to pick up their materials. The books will be in a labeled bag and placed on a table near the bike rack at the bottom of the library's entrance stairs. No one will be permitted to enter the library or meet in person.
Food Available
Gateway Church in Parkesburg is offering a free food pantry in the church's vestibule. Free food is available to anyone in need from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The public is also encouraged to donate food to keep the pantry stocked.
The makeshift food pantry includes a shopping cart filled with nonperishable food items and snacks, as well as a freezer, where meats and frozen meals are offered to the public.
Gateway Church is located at 160 Cowan Road, Parkesburg. For more details or for information about donating a large quantity of food, email christychesnet@gmail.com.
More information about the church is available at http://www.gtwy.church and by searching for "Gateway Church" on Facebook.
Blood Donors Needed
The American Red Cross is asking healthy people to consider donating blood after a number of blood drives have been canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The Red Cross is facing a severe shortage and is asking people to make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting http://www.RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Food Cupboard Open
The Octorara Area Food Cupboard is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. Clients are asked to remain in their cars with the windows rolled up. After clients open their trunk, volunteers will bring a bag of food outside and place it in the car, remaining at a distance from the clients.
To become a regular food pantry client, contact pantry director Judy Dougherty at 610-857-4000, who will take application information over the phone with the understanding that after restrictions have been lifted, clients will come in to sign their application.
Food donations are being accepted during open hours only at the drop-off point at the food cupboard's rear entrance. Packaged nonperishable items are suggested, along with fresh produce.
The Octorara Food Cupboard is located at 714 Main St., Parkesburg. Hours of operation and conditions are subject to change. For more information, visit http://www.octfood.com or http://www.facebook.com/OctoraraAreaFoodCupboard.
Library Programs
While Atglen Public Library is closed due to the state mandate, patrons of all ages may still enjoy online programming being offered on http://www.facebook.com/AtglenPublicLibrary.
Youngsters can listen to story times offered weekly by Ms. Maureen by visiting the Facebook page and clicking on Videos. Also offered in the Videos section are read-alouds by Olivia Schaffer and Music Time LIVE! presented by Radcliff Music Studio.
On Saturdays, the Facebook page features a discussion of local history. For more information, email Robbyn Kehoe, library director, at rkehoe@ccls.org.
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