Hundreds of neighbors and elected officials celebrate Mitzvah Circle’s new Lansdale facility

MONTGOMERY TWP — Mitzvah circlea nonprofit organization that helps hundreds of thousands of people meet their basic needs every year, today celebrated the grand opening of their new, permanent home in Lansdale.

Fran Held, Executive Director of Mitzvah Circle, said, “We are excited to open our forever home where we can serve local neighbors in need. This 24,500-square-foot facility will allow us to mobilize more than 4,000 local volunteers to serve more than 300,000 people annually.”

Mitzvah Circle is committed to closing the gap between what government assistance covers and what families in crisis actually need by providing clothing, soap, diapers, heritage products, school supplies and other essentials in southeastern Pennsylvania. The new facility, located at 435 Doylestown Road, will allow the organization to serve more people more effectively.

At the grand opening, the Mitzvah team was joined by nearly 300 community members and volunteers, as well as county, state and federal officials who shared their support for the organization and its exciting expansion.

“When every family can meet their most basic needs, our entire community benefits,” said Sen. Maria Collett, D-12th Dist. “I am thrilled to welcome Mitzvah Circle to their new home in my district, and I was so proud to help secure state funding for their facility so they can continue to provide millions of menstrual products, diapers, clothing items and other essentials to vulnerable people in our region.”

State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist., said, “Mitzvah Circle is a great organization that works every day to ensure our neighbors have access to the essential items and programs they need for a good quality of life.”

“I’m excited to participate in the grand opening of their brand new warehouse so they can continue their critical mission and serve even more people. I am also deeply honored to work with my colleagues in the state Legislature to secure $750,000 in state funding for the new facility. Thank you to Mitzvah Circle for all you do to make our community a better place,” said Bradford.

“Mitzvah Circle is an incredibly valuable resource in our community and through their work to help women, children and families, they have positively impacted so many lives,” said Lori Shapiro, the First Lady of Pennsylvania. “I am proud to be here today and stand with Fran Held and the Mitzvah Circle team as they celebrate their new home – a place that will enable them to help even more families live with dignity and to thrive.”

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th, said, “Mitzvah Circle has been committed to helping families in need for 15 years, and I am pleased to see their efforts grow with the opening of this new building.”

“From the Diaper Bank Program to menstrual products, household items and social services, the Mitzvah Circle is a lifeline to nearly 300,000 neighbors each year. I look forward to continuing our work together as they compassionately serve Montgomery County,” said Dean

Commissioner Jamila Winder, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, said, “On behalf of Montgomery County, we are grateful for Mitzvah Circle’s continued commitment to providing the county’s families in need with daily necessities.”

“Whether it is their diaper bank, menstruation program or youth engagement program, Mitzvah Circle’s initiatives are an ideal complement to provincial programs serving residents in need. We are proud to have invested $250,000 in Mitzvah Circle’s new warehouse in Lansdale and we look forward to the next chapter in this critical partnership,” said Winder.

State Rep. Melissa Cerrato, D-151st Dist., said, “Mitzvah Circle has been a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals and families in our community. Their dedication to providing essential services and their unwavering compassion have made a significant impact on the lives of those in need. We are pleased to welcome Mitzvah Circle to Montgomery Township in the 151st District and look forward to continuing our partnership to uplift and strengthen our community together.”

Also in attendance were: State Reps. Nancy Guenst, Liz Hanbidge, Steve Malagari, Ben Sanchez, Greg Scott and Joe Webster; state senators Cappelletti and Tracy Pennycuick; Representatives U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman; Montgomery Township officials and other local leaders.

Members of the local community are invited to learn more about the Mitzvah Circle at www.mitzvahcircle.org and to consider getting involved.

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 11:16 AM EDT