photo By BARB BARRETT/The Luminary FBLA students Bryce Edwards, Maggie Merk and Gina Paisley from Muncy High School assist in sorting over 700 food items at the Son Light House after they delivered them on Monday, November 18. Not in picture, but also helped, are Rachael Hall and Shawn McCollum.

MUNCY – Working at the Son-Light House in Muncy gives the volunteers a sense of self-satisfaction knowing that this well deserved, community-supported resource is doing its job.

“We just keep growing and growing,” said main coordinator, Delores Frey. “We now serve 606 adults between the ages of 18 and 59,” she said.

In October it was reported that 422 youth were served between 1 month and 17 years of age. The number of registered households jumped from 458 in June to 817 in October. This month 182 local seniors were served. Perhaps extended food stamp cuts have added to this growing number. “This affects the senior citizen recipients at the Son-Light House, and they appear to be among those most affected locally.”

Since 1982 this non-profit establishment has been distributing food and clothing to families in need. They are eligible through state and federal guidelines, which are not the same. Frey said she has to follow separate guidelines for each. Federal guidelines are more stringent, asking for identification and proof of income, whereas the state of Pennsylvania requires neither. Frey has been offering her services since she retired from nursing in 1987 at Muncy Valley Hospital where she worked for 41 years. “I now work here 3 to 4 days a week. More and more people need the service,” said Frey.

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, about 327 turkeys will be handed out to registered households which are purchased from monetary donations. Pam Wirth, a volunteer, said that bags are loaded for each household depending on the size of the family members.

PHOTO BY RUTH FRY/The Luminary Muncy High School FBLA members and officers at Saturday night's 'Angel Dance' raised more donations for the Son-Light House. From left to right: Maggie Rymsza, Margaret Merk, Anthony Barberio, Bryce Edwards, Logan Laidacker, Benjamin Coyner, Karina Fry, and Bridget Murphy.

Every two weeks they go through 500 boxes of cereal. “We will be over this at Christmas,” Frey added.

Many organizations and individuals do contribute throughout the year. Located at 130 Carpenter Street at the former Jehovah Witness building, parking in the back makes it easy to drop off needed items. Drop off times are every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.

On Monday afternoon, November 18, a special drop-off was arranged at the Son-Light House for the FBLA students from Muncy High School as they completed a seasonal service project with a large food contribution. Three carloads of boxes arrived with 13 frozen turkeys and over 700 food items. FBLA advisor, Heather Zimmerman reported that the students, faculty and staff collected the food for the past two weeks, and they are still collecting food. “We had several teacher dress down days too,” she said.

The students also held an Angel Dance, another fundraiser, on Saturday night at the Gerringer Fire Hall in Muncy, and a canned food item for the Son-Light House was their admission fee to the event.

Susquehanna Health recently donated some used furniture after renovations were made in the residents’ rooms at the Muncy Skilled Nursing Unit. “This was put to good use,” said Frey and well received from the recipients.

Other community sponsors who have made recent generous donations include American Legion Post 35, Muncy Professional Business & Women’s Club, REMax Edge, Beta Sigma Phi, Live Well Fitness Center, Muncy Lions, Muncy Bank & Trust, Pennsdale and Huntersville Senior Citizens, Piney Ridge Hunting Club, Retired Teachers Association, Spring Window Fashions, Thrivent Financial, VFW Post 3428, Weis Markets, and Xi Zeta Rho Sorority.

For more information or to get involved call Ken and Delores Frey at 570-546-3585.