About Us...

We provide a wide range of services to low-income families in Lancaster, Wilmer and Hutchins. We provide emergency assistance (food, clothing and shelter) to help people today. We provide case management, job training, counseling and school support services to prepare them for the future. These programs help clients find better jobs, develop a stable home life, and prepare their children for a successful future.

 

Lancaster Outreach Center (LOC), in its current form has been serving Lancaster, Wilmer, and Hutchins for twenty-five, but its real history and beginning can be traced back to the 50’s. It began when a small group of concerned Lancaster citizens started providing emergency food and clothing.

 

In connection with this early effort, a thrift store was established at the old school on Second Street to make clothing readily available. The thrift store, operated solely by volunteers, was moved several times over the years, being subject to available donated space. We do not know how much revenue the thrift store generated 40 years ago, but revenues in recent years have grown from $ 10,000 in 1989, to a high of  $133,000 in 2008.

 

LOC was formalized in 1971 as the Lancaster Welfare Fund, operated by the Lancaster Ministerial Alliance. The office and food pantry was located at various churches in town during this time. The name of the organization was changed to Lancaster Outreach Center when it became a separate entity in 1986. At this time, Jan Pruitt was hired to manage the increasing demand for assistance, and a formalized method for providing screening and assisting applicants was implemented.

 

In 1988, donated land, and labor provided the main facility on Randlett Street. Five additional properties have been added since then, including a commercial building for the Thrift Store, a Counseling Center, a small apartment, and storage areas. In 2000, a 2,500 square foot expansion was completed adding additional room for both social services and counseling. This addition includes a Client Choice Food Pantry, a Classroom/Group Counseling Room, Computer Lab, and Individual Counseling Rooms. The store, known as "Granny’s Storehouse," was named in honor and memory of the beloved volunteer and part-time employee, Meda "Granny" Wheat. This property was added following the April 1994 tornado, and was remodeled by volunteers.

 

This growth of our "home base" has enabled LOC to reach even further into the communities to address the needs that keep growing even faster than LOC. Relieving suffering, restoring human dignity, and promoting self-sufficiency continue to be goals we emphasize on a daily basis.

The majority of LOC’s clients are indeed employed. They are productive members of society, who due to some short-term crisis are unable to "make ends meet." Some clients need professional assistance and education to better manage their daily responsibilities—things many of us take for granted. The Center seeks permanent solutions rather than a temporary handout. We believe in the ancient proverb, "To hand someone a fish feeds them but for a day; to teach them how to fish, feeds them for a lifetime."

 

Lancaster Outreach Center is not just in the emergency assistance business. While we continue with ongoing efforts to combat suffering by providing food, clothing, furniture, rent/utility assistance, job placement, and transportation; we realize we must continue to do more. Our other objectives of restoring dignity and promoting self-sufficiency are being met through licensed counseling, assistance to senior citizens, social service assistance to schools and police, and school supplies and Christmas programs. The traditional "welfare handout" is being replaced by programs which require an investment and responsibility on the part of the client. There is nothing better than seeing a Mom or Dad filled with confidence and esteem because they were able to provide for their family.

Ronnie Lowe--Executive Director

RLowe@l-o-c.org