Written by Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling
Twice a month a group of Garden Spot Village volunteers heads to Blessings of Hope’s Leola warehouse. For approximately two and a half hours the volunteers sort and package food for efficient distribution through Blessings of Hope.
In 2006, local Amish businessman Aaron Fisher realized a disconnect between corporate food donations and community food banks. Essentially, semi-truckloads of food were going to waste because the volume was too great for most local food banks to process. Aaron began coordinating the distribution of small deliveries but quickly realized he needed to formalize the process to make a real impact.
In 2010, Blessings of Hope opened its first warehouse and began to provide food for a local pastor. In 2011 they shipped their first semi-truckload of food to White Earth Native American Reservation in Minnesota. Today, Blessings of Hope operates facilities in Leola and East Petersburg, where more than 30,000 registered volunteers help repackage bulk food into family-sized portions. At the East Petersburg location, the ministry also uses dehydrators to preserve perishable produce, transforming it into shelf-stable soup mixes with a five-year lifespan.
From there, the food moves through a network of about 1,600 partner ministries, including churches, food banks and
shelters. These partners visit selection centers in Lancaster and Kentucky to stock their shelves and support the people they serve. Through this network, Blessings of Hope distributes approximately 25 million pounds of food each year.
For years, Garden Spot Village residents have been volunteering at the local organization. In November 2025,
Garden Spot Village began to formalize the relationship, recognizing benefits for residents and team members. Chet Yoder, director of pastoral services, led the initiative, which offers two-fold benefits.
“Each summer the widowed men’s group tours a local non-profit organization. In August of 2025, several individuals who participate in the breakfast suggested we tour the various Blessings of Hope facilities in the area, which resulted in a trip to the Leola and East Petersburg locations,” Chet explains. This tour inspired a formal volunteer partnership.
First, residents can volunteer in meaningful ways. They contribute to Blessings of Hope’s wide food distribution network that makes a tangible difference for families and communities. Second, as volunteers, they receive food vouchers and discounts at Blessings of Hope’s local food distribution center. Rather than using the vouchers for themselves, the residents donate the vouchers to Garden Spot Communities, which in turn, shares the vouchers with team members who may be at risk for food insecurity.
Because of the incredible response from residents, Garden Spot Communities receives about 50 vouchers a month. These vouchers are distributed to team members working with Garden Spot’s Success Coach Rosemarie Anderson.
Jan Rios, a Garden Spot Village resident since January 2020, volunteers occasionally. “The ministry is amazing. The food that is saved, processed and provided to food banks and other ministries is incredible.” Jan says. “While the tasks we’re assigned may not be easy or pleasant, it’s a reminder that we are working unto the Lord. My purpose is to honor him. Plus, we’re working in community. Sharing the task together makes it more enjoyable.”
To learn more about Blessings of Hope and find out how you can get involved, visit their website, here.
Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling for Garden Spot Communities, brings a wealth of marketing and storytelling experience. She is the managing editor for Destination Magazine as well as the co-host for Garden Spot’s Purpose in Retirement Podcast.