Donations to the Earl Besch Fund help students and families in following ways:
Principal's Discretionary FundsThe Lion Foundation provides each school an annual grant from the Earl Besch Fund to help meet needs of deserving students by covering the costs of field trips, club fees, SAT and testing fees, graduation expenses for caps and gowns, and other essential items. These funds can be used at the discretion of the principal and is replenished to a beginning balance of $1000 at the start of each school year. |
New Hope Mobile Food PantryOperating in partnership with New Hope Ministries, Camp Hill United Methodist Church, and the Camp Hill School District, the food pantry is open twice a month and will provide case management, housing, basic needs, and employment services for eligible families in need. The Earl Besch Food pantry is located on the campus of Camp Hill United Methodist Church and is open to any CHSD student regardless of religious affiliation. |
New Hope Mobile Food Pantry
GOOD FOOD...and so much more!
The Mobile Food Pantry The Earl Besch Food Pantry began operating through a partnership with The Lion Foundation, New Hope, The Camp Hill United Methodist Church, and The Camp Hill School District. This partnership is an organized effort to not only help those in need, but to offer comprehensive support to families and get them back on their feet and experience true stability. In January 2023 the food pantry transitioned from a permanent space to a New Hope Ministries Mobile Pantry. We continue to work with our partners and dedicated community volunteers to make this effort a success and ensure all Camp Hill students continue to have the resources they need to thrive. |
Nearby New Hope Ministries is a community nonprofit agency with 39 years of service in south central Pennsylvania and currently operates food pantries and casework offices that serve the Camp Hill community.
Families can also receive help with: • Rent and mortgage • Heat and utility bills • Transportation • Childcare • Soft skills training • Budgeting • Workforce development and job training including Nurse Aide, Forklift classes, CDL Class A Truck Driving, Child Development Associate, and Rise Up Retail Program
Families can also receive help with: • Rent and mortgage • Heat and utility bills • Transportation • Childcare • Soft skills training • Budgeting • Workforce development and job training including Nurse Aide, Forklift classes, CDL Class A Truck Driving, Child Development Associate, and Rise Up Retail Program
Annual Run for the Fund!
The 4th Annual Trick or Trot 5k for the Earl Besch Fund here at The Lion Foundation was a huge success!
The Earl Besch Fund provides various types of support for students and families facing economic hardship. From a twice- monthly food pantry to school supplies, holiday help, and much more, WE ARE HERE when times are tough. To see more photos from the event click HERE To see race results click HERE |
Support the Earl Besch Fund!You can support The Earl Besch Fund in a number of ways!
340 North 21st Street Camp Hill, PA 17011
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The History of The Lion Foundation's Earl Besch Fund...
Earl Besch (1926-2015), a long time resident of Camp Hill Borough, was known for his generosity to others. Earl would regularly reach out to the schools to see if there were families in need. He would offer to buy a bike, a winter coat, pay for camp enrollment or purchase them a Christmas present.
In 2015, his family established a memorial fund in his name to continue his legacy of caring. What started as a memorial fund with The Lion Foundation to honor Earl Besch has grown to a movement that supports several important programs.
In 2015, his family established a memorial fund in his name to continue his legacy of caring. What started as a memorial fund with The Lion Foundation to honor Earl Besch has grown to a movement that supports several important programs.
Do you have gently used clothing you would like to donate to a good cause?
The Lion Foundation and the Camp Hill School District have entered into a partnership with CommunityAid and will be placing a collection bin in the Camp Hill High School/Middle School parking lot. Proceeds from the bin will benefit The Earl Besch Needy Student Fund. As part of the partnership:
- Any donated items placed in this collection bin will be credited to receive a $.04 per pound of clothing donation from CommunityAid to The Lion Foundation Earl Besch Needy Student Fund.
- Community Aid will also donate $300 in store clothing gift cards quarterly per school. We can then give $25 cards to spend in our local thrift stores discretely to our neediest students. This is an easy way to help families struggling to clothe their children.
- Finally, following 12 months of partnership, The Lion Foundation may apply for need-based grants from CommunityAid of up to $5,000 toward our mission.