Water Street Mission Steps into the Gap to Help Cash-Strapped Families

Lancaster, PA (October 2026) Water Street Mission is aiming to collect 80,000 pounds of donated food to help our neighbors in need. The Rescue Mission Food Drive, running November 2 through December 21, is an annual community effort to help people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Lancaster County.

The goal is high because the need is high. Over 44,000 Lancaster County residents live below the federal poverty line. For these individuals and families, deciding how to use limited funds can be difficult.

In a September 2026 report from Feeding America, 48% of people who are food insecure said they are delaying essential payments, such as rent or medical expenses, to afford groceries. For people experiencing homelessness or poverty, the hard decision to pay for food or housing is a continual struggle.

“Every day we have neighbors making hard decisions about whether to pay rent or utilities or medical bills or buy groceries,” said Jack Crowley, President of Water Street Mission. “The Rescue Mission Food Drive enables Water Street to help lift this difficult burden by making nutritious food available to our neighbors when they need it most.”

“Every day we have neighbors making hard decisions about whether to pay rent or utilities or medical bills or buy groceries.”

– Jack Crowley

This holiday season alone, Water Street Mission will serve nearly 27,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness and give tens of thousands of bags of groceries to those in need. In an average year, our food pantry will see over 20,000 visits.

Community members can take part in two steps: fill a bag with non-perishable pantry staples such as pasta, rice, canned vegetables, peanut butter, and cereal (no glass containers, please), then drop it off at Water Street Mission, 210 S. Prince St., Lancaster, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Donations are also accepted at participating Weis Markets and M&T Bank locations, as well as Sahd Metal Recycling, and other businesses, churches, and organizations that are hosting dropoff spots for the food drive. For a full list of suggested items, participating locations, and more information, visit rescuemisssionfooddrive.com.

About Water Street Mission

Water Street Mission has been serving neighbors experiencing marginalization and poverty since 1905. The mission provides emergency shelter and food, along with a full suite of health services, job training, classes, and mentorship for those who need it most. The mission also has a community food pantry, preschool and kindergarten, a teen ministry, and a young adult program. All of these services aim to address the tangible and spiritual needs of each person with individualized love and care. For more information about Water Street Mission, visit wsm.org.