Homemade apple, blueberry and peach strawberry cakes were sold Saturday afternoon outside of Rita's in Lehighton.

The congregation of People's EC Church baked goods to help raise funds for the newly created St. Peter's Community Resource Center at 177 Main Road in Franklin Township.

The mission of St. Peter's Community Resource Center according to Director Will Hoffman is "to build relationships, unite the community and be a resource to those in need."

During the summer of 2015 the old church was donated by St. Peter's to the People's EC Church. "Now we're using it as a community center," said church Pastor Ken Ogden.

The Resource Center is currently in the process of achieving a non-profit status. "It's at state level now. They cashed the check," Ogden said.

The funds raised from the sale will be used for maintenance and a few repairs around the center. The biggest project for the center will be to install an ADA compliant door in the facility.

"We are trying to help build up the bank account for overhead costs like heating for next winter," said Ogden.

The center runs several community programs for those in need.

"We do a monthly toiletry pantry program, Bare Necessities Pantry, for WIC and SNAP eligible residences of the Lehighton School District. We also run a clothing ministry with Bethany EC Church, small food pantry and book exchange," said Ogden.

According to the pasto,r the center is designed to help the "poor and needy in the community. And to help the non-profits in our area," by renting out the space free of charge for local resource providers.

"By giving them a space it empowers them," said Ogden.

"The center has made it easier for the support groups, it is a great space," said Crystal Reid of the Lehighton chapter of Al-Anon. The resource center hosts a number of non-profit support groups including a weekly Depression Bi-polar group and Family with Addictions group.

"We are looking for people that see a community need and will bring it to the center to benefit the area," said Hoffman. "We want to provide services needed in the community through the center."

Bethany's EC Church, Living Hope Lighthouse have partnered with the Lehighton area congregation for the pantries and support groups.

"We don't have enough money to keep the center open all the time. We all have full time jobs so we are doing it in our free time. We invite other groups to do ministries there," Ogden said. "We are looking for other churches to get involved."

"The possibilities of this outreach program are endless. This program from its inception was designed to support outreach not only to the community, but also by the community," said Hoffman.

The center is planning events throughout the spring and summer including a free concert on May 7 and the grand opening scheduled for June 11.

For more information on the center or current programs call 610-377-1696 or visit

www.peoplesecc.org