Our Story
On Dec. 11, 1936, a group of local businessmen led by R. Kenneth Kerr of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette met at the Sherman Armory at the corner of Broad and Wheeling streets in Lancaster.
Since then, the Newsies have sold their special edition newspaper to raise money for less fortunate families, specifically those with children.
Our annual paper drive takes place the second Saturday of December every year, with Newsies stationed at some of the busiest intersections in Lancaster and Fairfield County.
More Than Just Newspapers…
While the annual newspaper drive is our most iconic fundraiser, the Newsies do more than just sell papers every December.
The funds raised during our paper sale - along with our annual banquet, golf outings, and other events throughout the year - help provide resources to local families who have fallen on hard times. Examples of year-round assistance include helping families who are victims of house fires, flood damage, or other personal disasters.
By collaborating with school districts in Fairfield County, the Charity Newsies help provide much-needed school supplies to hundreds of area children ahead of each school year. Not only that, we coordinate with districts to stock emergency clothing and other necessities into school clinics (i.e. socks, sweatpants, underwear, etc.).
Every December the weekend before Christmas, the Charity Newsies compile 500 food boxes and personally deliver them to area families to provide a holiday meal. These efforts are made possible through the generous donations of individuals, businesses and other organizations in our community.
Emergency
Shelter
School
Clothing
Food
Vouchers
Who Do The Newsies Serve?
Fairfield County families with annual income equal to but no greater than generally-accepted and unadjusted poverty levels are priorities of the Lancaster-Fairfield County Charity Newsies. The Newsies concentrate on families at or below 133% of the federal poverty guidelines and number of children. These numbers are determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services each year.
1.................................................................$20,814
2........................................….....................$28,129
3..............................................................$35,444
4...............................................................$42,759
5..............................................................$50,074
6..............................................................$57,389
7...............................................................$64,704
8................................................….............$72,019
For families and/or households with greater than eight people, an additional $4,720 is added to the household income to determine needs per the HHS guidelines.