The Salvation Army of Lebanon Welcomes New Leadership

The Salvation Army in Lebanon is excited to welcome its new leadership team, Lt. Richard Mahida and Captain Kendall Mahida, who are committed to assisting the community with a variety of needs. Since their arrival in June 2024, they have been working tirelessly to address key issues, particularly food insecurity, which has been identified as a critical concern in the region.

"We've felt very welcomed by the Lebanon community," said the Mahida's. "It's heartwarming to see the community coming forward to support our work."

Captain Kendall Mahida, originally from Berwick, and Lt. Richard Mahida, born in Mumbai, India, bring a global perspective and local commitment to their new roles. Prior to this appointment, Captain Kendall served as the leader of The Salvation Army of Lock Haven, while Lt. Richard was completing seminary, a two-year training program for Salvation Army officers in Suffern, New York.

Upon their arrival, the Mahida's identified food insecurity as a growing problem, further underscored by the findings of the 2023 Hunger Mapping Report. The Salvation Army's center in northern Lebanon has been identified as a hot spot for food insecurity, motivating the couple to take immediate action. In collaboration with the Central PA Food Bank, they launched a Client-Choice Food Pantry, which now operates every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., serving 200-250 families monthly.

But their efforts don't stop there. In the new year, the Mahida's plan to launch a community feeding program, providing meals Monday through Friday to anyone in need. Additionally, they are preparing to introduce youth and adult sports programs and hope to establish an afterschool program to serve local children.

Alongside these projects, the Mahida's are preparing for two key seasonal efforts: the annual Red Kettle fundraiser, which supports their services throughout the year, and the Angel Tree program, which will provide toys and warm clothing to 1,000 children during the Christmas season.

"We're excited about the opportunities ahead," said the Mahida's. "Our goal is to continue building trust within the community while expanding our programs to meet the needs of those we serve."

With a clear vision and passion for community service, Lt. Richard and Captain Kendall Mahida are dedicated to making a lasting impact in Lebanon through the Salvation Army's mission of "Doing the Most Good."