The Rise Up Village Bakery became an official ministry of the United Churches of Lycoming County on November 1, 2022.

Our mission is to provide training in baking skills, and to offer support and guidance for individuals having difficulty in securing employment. Priority is given to those who are involved with the criminal justice system. An applicant who is on probation, parole, or who is returning to the community from incarceration must be involved with a supportive agency. Our vision for the graduates of our program is that they will be able to secure employment and be successful, productive members of our community.  The new Rise Up Village Bakery is operated by volunteers. We lease the kitchen at the New Covenant United Church of Christ.

 

RISE UP VILLAGE BAKERY

New Year’s greetings from the RUV Bakery Crew.  As we reflect on the 2023 year of operation we celebrate our growth and the support we have received from our customers.  Our crew currently includes 7 “full-time” volunteers, two “graduates”, and 4 new trainees.  Our production during a high demand week (think pre-Christmas) exceeded 150 dozen cookies, 120 mini loaves of sweet bread, and 350 rolls.  We are a “finely tuned machine”, working in a highly efficient manner in a compact space!

As we begin 2024 we are focusing on the training component of the program, with our production of baked goods being the by-product.  To accomplish this we plan to implement several changes.  Marty will be conducting a structured job preparedness class on Monday afternoons, after our prep work is completed.  This will assist our trainees in their search for community employment.  Our pre-ordered items will be limited to three choices each week.  This will usually include a popular cookie (yes, chocolate chip!), a sweet bread, and a yeast roll or bread.  The balance of our baking will be customer favorites and new items.  These will be available for first come-first serve selection on the “extras” table.  By limiting the pre-ordered items we will have the freedom to be more creative and it will allow us to offer a greater variety of baked goods. 

We are looking for volunteers with specific interests and skills.  Do you have bread baking experience?  We need a skilled person to lead this area of the kitchen so that Marty has time to work with referring agencies and potential employers.  We also would like to have more digital and social media presence and would welcome someone who has experience in this area.

Providing baked goods for church sponsored dinners, outreach programs, and special events is a way we can share our mission with the community.  Please contact us to discuss how we can work together. 

We thank all of our customers, supporters, and volunteers for believing in this ministry, and working together to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.  May 2024 be a year of blessings for all.

Wendy & Marty

Currently we do prep work on Mondays, and bake on Tuesdays. Weekly orders for breads, rolls, muffins and cookies are accepted until 10pm on Sundays. Sign up at [email protected] to receive notices of our weekly offerings. You can also check out our Facebook page for updates.

As part of our mission we also donate or provide baked goods at a reduced cost to churches which host community dinners, to Blessing Boxes, and to social service residential facilities.

Information

Location: 202 E. Third St., Academy St. Entrance, Williamsport.

Mailing Address: United Churches, 202 E. Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701

Telephone: (570) 295-8434

Contact Person: Marty, Program Manager

Hours:

Tuesday: 8am-1pm – Baking
Tuesday: 1pm-2:30pm – Pick up Baked Goods

How can you help?

• Volunteer to help in the kitchen, or to package and organize orders for pick up.
• Provide a monetary donation to help with operating expenses.
• Become a bakery customer.
• Spread the word about our ministry.