The Salvation Army in Lebanon is excited to welcome
its new leadership team, Lt. Richard Mahida and Captain Kendall Mahida, who are
committed to assisting the community with a variety of needs. Since their
arrival in June 2024, they have been working tirelessly to address key issues,
particularly food insecurity, which has been identified as a critical concern
in the region.
“We’ve felt very welcomed by the Lebanon community,”
said the Mahida’s. “It’s heartwarming to see the community coming forward to
support our work.”
Captain Kendall Mahida, originally from Berwick, and
Lt. Richard Mahida, born in Mumbai, India, bring a global perspective and local
commitment to their new roles. Prior to this appointment, Captain Kendall
served as the leader of The Salvation Army of Lock Haven, while Lt. Richard was
completing seminary, a two-year training program for Salvation Army officers in
Suffern, New York.
Upon their arrival, the Mahida’s identified food
insecurity as a growing problem, further underscored by the findings of the
2023 Hunger Mapping Report. The Salvation Army’s center in northern Lebanon has
been identified as a hot spot for food insecurity, motivating the couple to
take immediate action. In collaboration with the Central PA Food Bank, they
launched a Client-Choice Food Pantry, which now operates every Tuesday and
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., serving 200-250 families monthly.
But their efforts don’t stop there. In the new year,
the Mahida’s plan to launch a community feeding program, providing meals Monday
through Friday to anyone in need. Additionally, they are preparing to introduce
youth and adult sports programs and hope to establish an afterschool program to
serve local children.
Alongside these projects, the Mahida's are preparing for two key seasonal
efforts: the annual Red Kettle fundraiser, which supports their services
throughout the year, and the Angel Tree program, which will provide toys and
warm clothing to 1,000 children during the Christmas season.
“We’re excited about the opportunities ahead,” said
the Mahida’s. “Our goal is to continue building trust within the community
while expanding our programs to meet the needs of those we serve.”
With a clear vision and passion for community service,
Lt. Richard and Captain Kendall Mahida are dedicated to making a lasting impact
in Lebanon through the Salvation Army’s mission of "Doing the Most
Good."
