The Lapp Brothers, Light of Hope, Blessings of Hope

[JohnH]

I think the most important analysis of the organization was that phrase from the last independent audit or whatever it was, mentioned various times in this thread, where they questioned several years ago whether BOH could continue as a going concern. Still very much an open question at this point.

Given the rather comprehensive web of donors, including substantial overlapp with my other favourite entity that seems capable of raising large amounts of money on a moment's notice, I think it is quite likely the Lapp Brothers will continue to be a going concern. As far as BOH itself... it will stop being a going concern and go defunct or bankrupt once it no longer suits the Lapp's purposes, but I think their overall "ministry" will continue. It's just way too easy of a cash cow that can attract a lot of donor money.

[Samuel-Stoltzfus]

Seeing this kind of thing happen before among the Anabaptist community, I think someone is gonna pop up at the last minute and bail them out. In fact there most likely a plan in place for all we know.

Told you.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/ ... %20Reading

Who is Oregon Ag? Are they affiliated? I see they are paying much higher than the amount being forclosed for. Why wouldn’t they simply bought it at the auction instead?

It is my understanding (and I heard this some months ago) that BOH was working on plans on selling the property to the people next door for a while. From the way I understood it, they might be allowed to use a large part of the warehouse for some time yet.
I've heard for several years that the long-term plan for BOH is to build a warehouse at the Farm they bought in Ephrata a few years ago. I believe they would have done that a while ago already, however last I heard it's still in the planning stages with the township, sounds like re-zoning has been a challenge.

[mike]

Told you.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/ ... %20Reading

Who is Oregon Ag? Are they affiliated? I see they are paying much higher than the amount being forclosed for. Why wouldn’t they simply bought it at the auction instead?

It is my understanding (and I heard this some months ago) that BOH was working on plans on selling the property to the people next door for a while. From the way I understood it, they might be allowed to use a large part of the warehouse for some time yet.
I've heard for several years that the long-term plan for BOH is to build a warehouse at the Farm they bought in Ephrata a few years ago. I believe they would have done that a while ago already, however last I heard it's still in the planning stages with the township, sounds like re-zoning has been a challenge.

That, and getting a couple of nickels together...

[the-real-steve]

So, at this point, what are they? They won't have a warehouse. I guess they're just a financial institution?

Are the bearer bonds still on the table? I have some T-bills maturing in the next few weeks...

[mike]

Blessings of Hope just announced via its Facebook page:

Blessings of Hope Completes Sale of Becker Road Property

LEOLA, Pa. — Blessings of Hope finalized the sale of its Becker Road warehouse today, resolving a foreclosure process and settling the outstanding loans on the property.

"The warehouse served the ministry well for seven years, supporting our rapid growth," said David Lapp, CEO of Blessings of Hope. "But we have outgrown it and need to find a facility that fits our needs for the next season. Blessings of Hope blesses the new owner and prays for a smooth transition over the course of this next year."

The organization is also planning on selling its Diamond Station Road property in Ephrata and is in conversations about next steps for its Elizabethtown property. Hope RE Funding has been established, which separates real estate holdings from day-to-day operations so Blessings of Hope can stay focused on its mission of feeding people rather than managing buildings.

As Blessings of Hope moves into this next season, the organization is inviting the community to partner financially in the transition. Gifts given now will help sustain daily food distribution (the need is greater than ever) while the ministry secures it’s footing for the future. To give, visit www.blessingsofhope.com.

"As we move into this next season, our message is simple: humility, love, faith, and unity," Lapp said. "We're trusting God's faithfulness as we move forward, walking in love — toward our staff, our partner ministries, our donors, and our community. We want to do it together, in unity, serving those we're called to reach."

About Blessings of Hope

Blessings of Hope is a faith-based food distribution nonprofit operating under Light of Hope Ministries, working alongside more than 200 corporate food donors, 1,700 partner ministry organizations, and tens of thousands of volunteers to provide food and resources to communities in need.

Blessings of Hope provides logistical services to our partner ministries. We accept tractor trailer size shipments of quality food that would otherwise go to a landfill, keep it refrigerated when necessary, and make it available in the quantities our partner organizations can use. The costs (such as diesel fuel and electricity) continue to increase. Our partners cover a portion of this cost and Blessings of Hope relies on your donations for the rest.

Media Contact
David Lapp, CEO, Blessings of Hope
717-824-1227, Ext. 101 | David.lapp@blessingsofhope.com | www.blessingsofhope.com

[mike]

So the sale is being represented not only as the resolving of the foreclosure process and settling outstanding debt on the building but as outgrowing the facility.

Also in the announcment is the proposed sale of a farm BOH apparently owns which was at one time the site for a proposed large BOH facility.

The address 1850 Diamond Station Road in Ephrata, PA, is a property owned by the Lancaster County food-rescue nonprofit Blessings of Hope.Property and Facility PlansThe Purchase: Blessings of Hope purchased the 46-acre farm property at this location in June 2021.Proposed Development: The organization proposed building a major 160,000-square-foot distribution and food processing facility on the site, which drew local debate regarding the preservation of agricultural farmland.Community EventsiCare Event: The Diamond Station Road property serves as the host site for the annual iCare community fundraiser event and auction hosted by Blessings of Hope.

If the Lapp brothers/BOH own this farm free and clear (which may not be the case) it would be a start buying or building something for the future of BOH. It last sold at auction for $3,534,000.

So BOH isn't deceased quite yet, but it's kind of unclear where they go from here.

[JohnH]

So the sale is being represented not only as the resolving of the foreclosure process and settling outstanding debt on the building but as outgrowing the facility.

Also in the announcment is the proposed sale of a farm BOH apparently owns which was at one time the site for a proposed large BOH facility.

The address 1850 Diamond Station Road in Ephrata, PA, is a property owned by the Lancaster County food-rescue nonprofit Blessings of Hope.Property and Facility PlansThe Purchase: Blessings of Hope purchased the 46-acre farm property at this location in June 2021.Proposed Development: The organization proposed building a major 160,000-square-foot distribution and food processing facility on the site, which drew local debate regarding the preservation of agricultural farmland.Community EventsiCare Event: The Diamond Station Road property serves as the host site for the annual iCare community fundraiser event and auction hosted by Blessings of Hope.

If the Lapp brothers/BOH own this farm free and clear (which may not be the case) it would be a start buying or building something for the future of BOH. It last sold at auction for $3,534,000.

So BOH isn't deceased quite yet, but it's kind of unclear where they go from here.

I strongly suspect the sale of this is in order to pay other debts that are outstanding, including ones syndicated via Hope RE Funding.