(Editors Note: This article mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the suicide prevention hotline: 988)
Situated on Millersville University’s campus is an old church. Around back, however, is a resource to students and the community called The Hub, located at 121 N. George Street. According to its current director Jacob Marino, The Hub began as an idea of his mentor Ed Weber in 2014.
Weber converted the basement of, Millersville Community Church, into a community center, and together with his wife Vicky they began serving French toast and sausage to Millersville’s students. At that time, the Hub operated as a ministry. Weber saw a need for both food and a place to find community among the students. The meals were sought after by a growing number of Millersville community members, which led to the Hub growing its services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Millersville Community Church began to suffer financial losses, and was forced to close. Weber began a fundraiser to purchase the church building. Before fundraising could begin Weber passed away suddenly in 2021. Marino, who saw Weber as his “second dad,” stepped into the role of the Hub’s director, and secured the purchase of the church building with a successful fundraising drive. Marino began to solidify the Hub’s operations, adding a Campus Cupboard for free groceries for students.
Out of The Hub’s $110,000 annual budget, most money goes into purchasing the food used for the free meals. The organization also receives grants and donations which help bolster its funding. The Hub employs three part-time administrative staff, including Marino himself. The Hub has 32 active volunteers and an intern contributing to the volunteer work. Volunteers are tasked with serving meals and running game nights.
Additionally, the Hub, offers free counseling, clothing, and financial assistance for rent and tuition. Marino told a story about a student he met in his first week who had been suffering from chronic loneliness and told him that if it were not for the Hub, he may have ended his life.
The Hub hours are 8a.m-8p.m, Monday through Friday. Marino ensures the food at the Campus Cupboard is safe, unexpired, and sanitary. The Hub serves three hot meals a week, on those days, meal prep starts at 10:30 a.m.
(Editors Notes: This article was written by One United Intern Jamie Hughes. Hughes, a Lancaster resident who currently attends Millersville University, he got his start in journalism by joining the university newspaper “The Snapper.” Hughes has a personal fascination with the history of the Lancaster area as well as the natural beauty of the county. He frequently visits locations around the county to photograph natural scenery as well as locations in Lancaster City.)
