Fleming presents $100K check to Central PA Food Bank to Support Its Mission
Rep. Justin Fleming November 28, 2023 | 2:11 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 28 – State Rep. Justin Fleming today presented a $100,000 check from the PA Department of Human Services to Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, to support its efforts to eliminate food insecurity in the region.
“Despite the fact we live in the richest country in the world, thousands of Pennsylvanians don’t know where or when their next meal is coming from,” Fleming said. “This state grant money will support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in its life-supporting mission ensuring everyone in our region has access to the food needed to lead a healthy, productive life. With the expiration of pandemic funding, our charitable organizations like the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will be struggling to meet demand for the basic necessities of life like food. I strongly encourage residents to donate their time and money this holiday season so that their neighbors and their families don’t go hungry this winter.”
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank CEO Joe Arthur thanked Fleming for the check, saying, “There is a huge demand for food from the charitable network right now, with many of our agency partners now serving more neighbors than they were at the height of the pandemic.” Arthur added, “Rep. Fleming’s strong leadership and this additional support from DHS helps us to advance our mission and continue to provide healthy meals for our neighbors in needs in Harrisburg and throughout our entire 27-county service territory.”
Fleming and Arthur were joined by Lori Shienvold, Executive Director, HANNA’S Pantry. Hanna’s Pantry is one of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s partners. It is a large-scale, community operation that serves over 30,000 pounds of groceries to more than 600 families each month, in an innovative and culturally respectful way that sets new standards for community food pantries. It was built by and continues to be supported by volunteers from Faith Immanuel Presbyterian and Tree of Life Lutheran Churches, Susquehanna Township School District students and staff, and many dedicated community members.
“It’s thanks to the support of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank that HANNA’s Pantry can offer food to families in need in Susquehanna Township,” Shienvold said. “Many recipients are working families struggling to make ends meet, and food insecurity for them is a daily reality. Young children in school especially need nutritious meals so they can develop intellectually, socially and physically. CPFB’s donations are literally laying the foundations for the next generation’s success today.”
Earlier this year, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank released a report on the barriers people face in accessing the Central Pennsylvania charitable food system, which can include weekday-only pantry hours, transportation difficulties, and overly burdensome administrative requirements. The report highlights the unique and critical role food pantries play, and makes a series of recommendations for improvement, like offering weekend and evening pantry hours, including culturally relevant food choices, and above all, centering neighbors in need in all conversations and planning. Volunteers and monetary donations would help implement these proposed changes.
For more information on the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, visit centralpafoodbank.org or call 717-564-1700.
About Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization with a mission of fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities. It provides nutritious meals for 202,500 neighbors each month by working with its 1,050 partner agencies and with the critical help of more than 15,000 volunteers. Its Bold Goal is to provide access to enough nutritious food for everyone struggling with hunger in each of the 27 central Pennsylvania counties it serves by working with its collaborative network and convening and nurturing partnerships to make progress toward ending hunger. Recognizing that there is a direct correlation between hunger and being marginalized, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is committed to working against racism and other systemic obstacles that prevent people from thriving.