Every community always has citizens in need. A lost job, sudden illness, lingering disability, or low income put tremendous stresses on good people. Then, basic needs often taken for granted can become illusive. Human necessities like nutritious meals, warm clothing, essential healthcare, or protective shelter, can often feel like impossible challenges to individuals or families passing through difficult phases in life.
In Waynesboro, a benevolent organization has tapped into the community’s generous spirit by sponsoring and managing programs for these people in distress. Waynesboro Community and Human Services (WCHS) was formed in 2011, but the original roots establishing this charitable legacy have spread for almost a century.
The Waynesboro Welfare Association was founded in 1931. Later in 1979, a separate organization called the Waynesboro Human Services Council was chartered by a fellowship of churches. Together, they served separate missions to foster good works and provide services to the disadvantaged and needy. In 2011, these two groups merged to form WCHS.
WCHS has championed many charitable programs during its thirteen-year existence, providing much needed comfort and relief to the Waynesboro area. This non-profit has continued the legacies of the two prior groups, while strengthening community ties with innovative services that excel with their capacity to spread compassion and kindness. Without WCHS’s vital assistance, many people in the local area would have few places to turn.
Morgan Hovermale is WCHS’s Executive Director. She comes from a caregiving background and has been in leadership here since early 2023. Hovermale manages a staff of 12, including 3 nurses, 1 nursing director, 2 financial case managers, a volunteer coordinator, other support staff, and multiple clothing and food bank volunteers.
“People come to us for a variety of reasons,” Hovermale said. Those needs include food and clothing, healthcare, financial assistance for housing and utilities, back-to-school supplies, and family support during holiday seasons.
These programs are run through a series of local/state/national partnerships and resources. But the most important financial and organizational benefits for WCHS originate in Waynesboro. “Most of what we do is through generous individuals in the community,” Hovermale said in an interview. “The majority of our funding and supplies comes from local donations. We also rely on grants, and we do get a small amount of federal funding through the United Way.” With this formula, WCHS has found the right support mixture to conduct multiple programs tailored to individual needs.
WCHS’s Food Pantry fights hunger through local food retailers and other charitable donations. “We receive in-kind donations from places like Walmart, Martins, Sheetz, Rutters, and Weiss,” Hovermale said. Last year, WCHS’s Food Pantry distributed 105,383 pounds of food to 566 families- which totaled 1916 individuals. ‘Fresh Express’ and ‘Weekend Backpack’ food programs also funnel supplies to people in need. School students often require supplementary nutrition on weekends, and the backpack program distributed 9479 bags of nourishing food last year to 299 children.
WCHS’s food programs are a top priority. Their location offers a comfortable space where people have freedom of choice while shopping in the food pantry. Food selections are determined by household size to keep these supplies fairly distributed and available to all. “We like to offer a variety of dry goods, plus refrigerated and frozen foods, and we make the most of the items donated or brought in,” Hovermale said. An on-site demonstration kitchen teaches people how to prepare meals with foods available at the pantry.
The Community Nurse Program is an important part of WCHS’s healthcare services. It helps families and individuals with important healthcare needs, including prescriptions. Last year, 1837 local nursing visits were recorded with this program. In addition, WCHS serves as a satellite office for Keystone Health, a group that helps with insurance and food stamp enrollment and other needed medical services. Also included at WCHS is a diaper program, recently promoted to increase community awareness of their children’s healthcare services.
A third major WCHS program is financial assistance. Hovermale said many in the community underestimate the number of people who face homelessness. She noted a current shortage in Franklin County for affordable low-income housing. WCHS has several programs to help individuals find financial in-kind assistance from other non-profits, governments, or private entities.
Also, at WCHS’s current 123 Walnut Street location in Waynesboro, the large interior space accommodates a clothing bank, which also includes housewares and toys. “We have great partnerships in different fields”, Hovermale explained. “We work with a lot of churches that sponsor certain programs or special needs. We also partner with the Southcentral Community Action Program and the Salvation Army.”
One other valuable WCHS service is ‘Community Navigator’ which assists individuals with behavioral and personal struggles by helping with employment searches, offering advice with financial planning and budgeting, assisting with landlord relations, and general help for people who are staring over.
All told, WCHS offers a wide variety of helpful services, growing their stature into the premier local caregiving organization. They serve the Waynesboro and Greencastle school districts from this one location. A satellite office once existed in Greencastle, but that location was closed during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Ed Herald is WCHS’s Board Chairman. He is a retired Army Reservist who came into WCHS’s orbit through his work at Five Forks Church. Herald detailed how the nine-member board meets monthly to chart WCHS’s future. The group includes a varied cross-section of community leaders and advocates who are passionate about WCHS’s mission. “We are neighbors helping neighbors with basic human services,” Herald said about the organization.
Herald said the group’s continued reliance on donations and volunteers means their stewardship never rests, in good economies or bad. “We constantly update our strategic plan.” This year, a new challenge surfaced when WCHS’s building was sold. With new ownership coming into play, it wasn’t feasible for WCHS to remain in their current Walnut Street location. After a period of uncertainty, a new location for WCHS’s home was found- directly across the street.
Angie Touhey owns Walnut Street’s Borough Plaza (home to a fitness center, restaurant, and other businesses) and also recently purchased the Borough Annex building next door. Touhey became familiar with WCHS while serving as a volunteer with the backpack program. “It’s a wonderful resource for children, and I wanted to be a part of it.” The more she learned about WCHS’s other services, the greater Touhey’s appreciation grew, recognizing their tremendous value to the community. “It’s a caring group who have a big heart for people who are hurting,” Touhey said. “They provide wonderful services with attention to detail, and they follow through.”
When retail space opened up in her Annex building, Touhey thought WCHS’s qualities would make an excellent tenant as well, and negotiations started to consider a lease with them. Being a local native, Touhey was determined to play a part in wise economic and social development and felt a WCHS move to her property fit perfectly into her vision for the center. “My heart is in Waynesboro. I want this community to thrive, whether it’s a charity or small business.” A three-year lease was recently signed between WCHS and Touhey’ firm, and each party was pleased with the arrangement.
Both WCHS Executive Director Hovermale and Board Chair Herald offered complimentary comments about their new rental situation and its community-minded owner. “We wanted to keep our mission going without interruption,” Hovermale said, “so this new space really worked out well for us. Angie has been very accommodating. We’re excited to have upgraded facilities and a better parking situation across the street.”
The new WCHS location will be split into two different units in the 7-shaped Annex building, but these separate locations will only be a few steps apart. Hovermale said new signage will direct people to the right unit, one being used for the food pantry, and the second for offices and other services. Despite close proximity for the upcoming move, WCHS is taking deliberate steps to minimize disruption in services, and the mid-to-late August move will be made in orchestrated stages.
The new space will be approximately 2000 square-feet smaller, (the current space is 8500 sq ft), but Morgan Hovermale says clients will notice few changes. “We will downsize some but will be offering the same products and services.” After some fresh paint and a few tweaks to the two spaces, WCHS’s new combined home will be ready to receive people in need. Looking ahead to that new space, Morgan smiled and said, “Change is an opportunity.”
While WHCS has been preparing for the move and has lined up assistance, they are always willing to accept donations or any contributions from volunteers. Hovermale reminded donations are tax deductible, and WCHS is also very flexible working with new partners. “We encourage potential volunteers to stop by and talk with Tammy, our outreach manager. Arrange a tour and see where their interests may line up with our needs.” She said a great sense of fulfillment is one reward for anyone giving their time and energy to help promote WCHS’s continued success.
For more information about making donations, receiving community services, or volunteering, visit WCHS’s website (wchs-pa.org) or call 717-762-6941. Current hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday 9-12 am, and Thursday 1-6 pm. The center is closed for lunch from 12-1 pm. Appointments are necessary for financial assistance and food pantry visits. For information about WCHS’s Keystone Health unit call 717-709-7969.
