United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Received Proclamation Honoring Centennial United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites guests to join them as they receive a proclamation honoring the Centennial Celebration from the Mayor Paige G. Cognetti, City of Scranton. The reading of the proclamation will take place on the steps of City Hall, located at 340 North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 11:00 am. All media outlets are invited to capture is momentous milestone. UNC President and CEO, Lisa Durkin, will be available for interviews immediately following.
The Steamtown National Historic Site to Host “Stuff the Caboose” Event Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) invites the public to “Stuff the Caboose” and enjoy some holiday cheer on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. This free family event will take place at Steamtown NHS, located at 350 Cliff Street in Scranton. The holiday season is just around the corner! Steamtown NHS and its partners are asking for your help to restock the United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Food Pantry with non-perishable food items. Interact with Scranton’s police and fire departments and their equipment, enjoy the sounds of holiday music provided by students from West Scranton High School Strings and Band, sample s’mores over a horizontal “Ring of Fire”, and take in the sight of locomotives decorated with holiday lights. Visitors will also have photo opportunities with the former Nay Aug Park Miniature Train to capture new memories or relive those from long ago!
UNC Farmers Markets Moved Indoors United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) two weekly, year-round Farmers Markets in Carbondale and South Side of Scranton have moved to their indoor locations. Information about both market is listed below: Carbondale Farmers Market is located at the Fallbrook Senior Community Center at 185 Fallbrook Street in Carbondale. Carbondale Farmers Market is excited to welcome new vendors such as 3rd Kingdom Mushroom’s from Vandling, PA. 3rd Kingdom Mushroom’s provides fresh, high-quality gourmet mushrooms and sell seasonally varieties. Stop by to try dried mushrooms such as Reishi, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, and more. South Side Farmers Market is located at 509 Cedar Avenue in Scranton. South Side Farmers Market will continue to host vendors such as Fullers Overlook Farm, Quails-R-Us, George’s Farm, Bread Services, and many more. Try freshly brewed hot coffee from our new vendor Café Fresco or get something special from C’est Handmade. United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania Farmers Market offers customers that are SNAP/EDT recipients can make us part of their weekly shopping. SNAP/EBT recipients can receive Food Bucks to purchase additional fresh produce. Food Bucks are earned at the point of purchase. For every $4.00 spent, SNAP/EBT clients receive an additional $2.00 for produce. Individuals with SNAP/EDT benefits are encouraged to visit the UNC table during the markets operating hour to learn more about the program.
United Neighborhood Centers and The Original Coney Island Celebrate 100 Years United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and The Original Coney Island of Scranton met on Friday, October 13, 2023, to commemorate their Centennial with a picture. Both institutions are celebrating 100 Years of Service to the Community. UNC is one of the largest, and longest operating, nonprofit organizations in the region and The Original Coney Island of Scranton is the oldest cultural institution in the county, both are committed to the social, cultural, and economic development of NEPA. For the history of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, please visit uncnepa.org/about For the history of The Original Coney Island of Scranton, please visit coneyislandofscranton.com/our-history.html Attached picture includes, front row: Rachel Millan, The Original Coney Island of Scranton Staff; Kendra Hanor, UNC Staff Accountant, Danielle Pietrucha, UNC Director of Human Resources; Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO; Martin Fotta, UNC Chief Operating Officer; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Children & Teens; Patrice Sottung, UNC Staff Accountant. Back row: Jermey Palochko, The Original Coney Island of Scranton Staff; Brendan Bell, The Original Coney Island of Scranton Owner; Holly Yorkonis, UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization; Kathleen Hoban, UNC Chief Financial Officer; and Joy Hubshman, Director of Community Housing
UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market Introduces New Program United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Carbondale Farmers Market is happy to introduce a new program to stretch the food dollars of SNAP/EBT recipients called Fresh Produce Food Bucks, thanks to a Nutrition Incentive Program in partnership with The Food Trust in Philadelphia. The Food Trust Fresh Produce Food Bucks program helps make fresh produce and other healthy foods accessible and affordable. Food Bucks are SNAP incentives earned at the point of purchase by shoppers paying with SNAP. At Carbondale Farmers Market, for every $4.00 in SNAP benefits spent, the customer will receive $2.00 in Fresh Produce Food Bucks with no limit each week. Individuals that spend $20.00 in SNAP/EBT will receive $10.00 to shop for fresh produce every week. Individuals are encouraged to speak with the Market Manager during market hours to learn more about the program. SNAP/EBT benefits can be utilized at any vendors who sell SNAP qualified products. Food Bucks can be redeemed at any of our produce vendors including Halstead’s Farm, Sturdy Greens and Mid-Valley Organics; to purchase local, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms. Carbondale Farmers Market provides space for our customers to shop with local businesses and farmers every week, year-round.
UNC to Host 7th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) will host the 7th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration on Saturday September 16th from 10am – 2pm at 526 Cedar Avenue (corner of Alder Street and Cedar Avenue) at the South Side Farmers Market. This event brings together long-term local residents and those new to the country to promote cross-cultural understanding and raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone! There will be live music from Grupo Zona, food from popular restaurants El Buen Amigo and Papi’s Kitchen, games, vendors, and more. There will also be free ice cream for the kids by Scoopz Ice Cream Truck! For more information, please contact Chrissy Manuel, UNC’s Director of Community Revitalization, at (272) 228-1371.
United Neighborhood Centers to Host Celebration for Julia Mellody United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites you to to celebrate the birthday of Julia Mellody on Monday, July 3, 2023, at 2 p.m. at our Mid Valley Healthy Aging Satellite Campus at 310 Church Street in Jessup. Mellody is turning 102 on July 4, 2023, but you wouldn’t know it from her youthful appearance. She is an active participant of UNC’s Healthy Aging Campus and a tenant of the Jessup Senior Housing Apartment Building that houses the center. Mellody loves parties and eating her favorite food, raviolis. UNC’s very special centenarian birthday cookout bash will include food, fun, and live music.
United Neighborhood Centers 3rd Annual Community Cleanup United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA (UNC) and Lackawanna River Conservation Association (LRCA) are hosting a Community Cleanup of the Pine Brook Gateway located at the intersection of Olive St. and Capouse Ave., Saturday, April 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers from LRCA, UNC, the City of Scranton, St. Francis of Assisi, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Pine Brook residents, and more participate in this community cleanup. This event is part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup and the Pine Brook Community Revitalization Project. Volunteers will meet up at Kevin’s Worldwide, 710 Capouse Ave. at 10:00 a.m. before splitting into teams to clean up Capouse Ave and Olive St, near the RR and trailhead. Supplies will be provided, as well as water and snacks. A second cleanup at the pocket park at 1371 Capouse Ave. is in partnership with Leadership Lackawanna. Participants will meet at the parklet, and will get to work mowing, weed whacking, and cleaning up the site. Equipment is provided by the NeighborWorks Mobile Tool Kit. Those interested in volunteering for either community cleanup event can contact UNC Revitalization Coordinator Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272)-228-1366.
United Neighborhood Centers to Host Purse Bingo The United Neighborhood Centers of Northeaster Pennsylvania will host a designer purse bingo. The event will take place on Sunday April 30 at 1:00PM. Doors open at 12:00PM The event will be held at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore. The cost to attend the event is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 20 games with additional purchases available for 3 bingo specials, basket raffles, door prices, basket sales, refreshments and daubers while supplies last. This is a BYOB event. Players are welcome to bring their own food and alcoholic beverages. Proceeds benefits United Neighborhood Center of NEPA.
National Park Service “Stuff the Caboose” Holiday Event Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) invites the public to “Stuff the Caboose” and enjoy some holiday cheer on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. This free family event will take place at Steamtown NHS, located at 350 Cliff Street in Scranton. The holiday season is just around the corner! Steamtown NHS and its partners are asking for your help to restock the United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Food Pantry with non-perishable food items. Interact with Scranton’s police and fire departments and their equipment, enjoy s’mores over a horizontal “Ring of Fire” and locomotives decorated with holiday lights. Visitors will also have photo opportunities with the former Nay Aug Park Miniature Train to capture new memories or relive those from long ago! The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. The CDC has offered guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5200, or by visiting the park website anytime
