Our Mission

 In the heart of Derry, Pennsylvania, there’s a small but mighty organization making waves of difference in the community. Make A Difference, a local nonprofit, isn’t just about serving free home-cooked holiday meals to those in need; it’s about fostering a spirit of generosity, compassion and unity. For the past several years, Make A Difference made a significant impact by serving over 1,200 meals to individuals and families thanks to the support of private donations and small fundraisers.

But behind every successful endeavor lies a network of support and collaboration. Make A Difference recognizes the vital role played by Grace Bible Church, located in Bradenville. The church’s open doors and warm hospitality have provided Make A Difference with the necessary space and resources to prepare and distribute their meals, enabling them to reach even more individuals in need. Make A Difference has also received help in collecting holiday toys from The Union Mission Ambassadors & Ianni's Restaurant in New Derry. Those toy collections have helped them to provide Christmas toys to local families in need. In 2023, Make A Difference was also able to provide Easter baskets with toys collected by Derry Area Historical Society & baskets donated by Wal Mart.

Beyond the community meals & holiday toys, Make A Difference has organized "Free Clothes For Kids" giveaways to help local families provide school clothes for their children. They hosted collection drives for supplies for The Union Mission as well as Grace Bible Academy. For the past two summers, they worked with various donors to help distribute family pool passes to low-income families. They have also collaborated with Grace Bible Academy's students to make & distribute hand-made Christmas cards to local care homes. 

Make A Difference is always looking for ways to help. This is made possible by the many selfless volunteers and donors who have a passion for helping the Derry area. Anyone interested in learning more about Make A Difference or how to make a contribution can reach out through its Facebook page or by emailing Susan@cpmakeadifference.org.