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MILROY -- A warm plate of spaghetti might seem simple, but for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other interpersonal crimes, the support behind it can mean the difference between fear and stability.
That's the spirit behind the Milroy Lions Club's upcoming spaghetti benefit dinner, set for Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the White Memorial Church, 68 S. Main St., Milroy.
The meal -- a $10 donation for adults, free for children under 12 -- includes spaghetti and meatballs, tossed salad, bread with butter, applesauce, homemade desserts and soft drinks. But the proceeds will reach far beyond the church hall. They will go directly to the Abuse Network, the agency serving victims across Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon counties.
For the Abuse Network, community support is not just appreciated -- it is essential. The organization operates offices in Lewistown, Mifflintown and Huntingdon, along with a 24-hour hotline, because "violence does not wait for business hours. Victims often reach out at the most vulnerable moments of their lives, unsure of what they need or what comes next," said Beth Birch, director of victim services for the Abuse Network.
Routine funding from state and federal sources keeps the doors open and the lights on. Those dollars, funneled through agencies such as the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, are tightly earmarked. They cover staffing, rent, supplies and programmatic requirements -- the infrastructure of victim services. But they cannot cover the deeply human needs that arise in the immediate aftermath of trauma.
Victims fleeing violence might arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Sexual assault victims often must surrender their clothing as forensic evidence, yet replacement items are not covered by routine funding. Others might need hygiene supplies, a security deposit for a safe place to live or even an outfit for a job interview as they work to rebuild their lives. These are the moments when donated dollars become life-changing.
"Because donated funds are not restricted to specific line items, the Abuse Network can respond with dignity and compassion -- meeting needs as they arise, even when victims themselves do not yet know what they will need next," Birch added. Staff say this flexibility allows them to fill the gaps between what funding streams allow and what victims actually face.
And for many victims, learning that neighbors have donated to support them brings a sense of connection at a time when they feel most alone. "It is a reminder that the community cares about their safety, their healing and their future," Birch said.
That is why the Lions Club's support matters so deeply. Staff say they are grateful the organization chose the Abuse Network as the beneficiary of this year's dinner, noting that contributions "really do make a difference" in helping victims take their next steps forward, Birch explained.
The public is invited to attend the dinner, enjoy a meal and support the work that helps victims across the Juniata River Valley find safety, stability and hope.
For more information about the Abuse Network, visit www.abusenetwork.org or find them on Facebook.