COVID-19
Our Commitment to the Community
The COVID-19 crisis revealed how vulnerable so many Pennsylvanians are to hunger. Food insecurity in central Pennsylvania is 11 percent higher than it was in 2019. The pace of improved economic opportunities can vary from one community to the next, and key government assistance programs like increased SNAP benefits and the child tax credit expansion may not continue into the new year. While the signs of economic recovery are encouraging, food insecurity is still a stark reality for thousands of our neighbors.
As a life-sustaining organization, the Food Bank takes its commitment to the community very seriously. With safe and efficient protocols, we are increasing our distribution of food to everyone who needs it. Worrying about having enough to eat should be the last thing on your mind when you are concerned about your health and finances. We are here to help.
Find Food
If you are facing food insecurity, use our Find Food page to find the nearest agency partner in your area or call our HELPLINE: 1.877.999.5964 for more information.
With a “strong front” to combat hunger, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and its more than 1,000 partner agencies and programs are committed to meeting the elevated need, and we want our communities to know that the health of our clients, employees, volunteers, and other friends are our top priority. Many people are facing food insecurity, perhaps for the first time. Please do not be afraid to ask for help.
FOOD STAMP HELPLINE
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly, the Food Stamp Program), is a federally-funded program that helps millions of eligible, low-income households and individuals purchase nutritious and healthy food at participating grocery stores and farmers markets. Our SNAP team members are knowledgeable, friendly and will help maximize your benefit amount. Call today: 1.877.999.5964
GIVE HOPE
Help us continue to distribute healthy, nutritious food to our most vulnerable neighbors, including children and seniors, and ensure that our network of partner agencies remains strong throughout our 27 central Pennsylvania counties. Make a life sustaining donation of $50. Every dollar counts.
Should I host a food drive?
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to take a hard look at our operations and adapt to changing circumstances. When the pandemic began in March, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank immediately suspended all traditional food drives to adhere to the pandemic’s safety protocols. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has made the decision to suspend traditional food drives indefinitely.
By ending traditional food drives at the Food Bank, we will be moving to a new and improved Virtual Food Drive platform.
Hosting a Virtual Food Drive allows you to help many more of your neighbors in need by raising funds for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to purchase food in bulk quantities at less-than-wholesale prices including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and center-of-the-plate proteins which can’t be donated in a traditional food drive. The $1 that you might spend on one can of green beans can provide 6 full meals through a Virtual Food Drive. It is a simple and immediate way to help end hunger in central Pennsylvania. Just like online shopping, Virtual Food Drives are safe, easy and fun.
To learn more and to start your own virtual food drive today, CLICK HERE.
By continuing to work together, we can provide hope to so many families who are still struggling to get back on their feet. We truly are, Better Together.
Health and Safety
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank implemented new protocols to minimize the risk of exposure for staff and volunteers.
- Cleaning procedures have been enhanced. The safety of our food and our people have always been a top priority in our mission, but we have added specific procedures to combat COVID-19 and other risks. Using proven effective solutions, we are making rounds multiple times a day wiping door handles, light switches, warehouse carts, equipment, and flat surfaces. We have also mandated our cleaning company to perform enhanced disinfection procedures when they are on site at our CPFB facilities and our offsite Central Packing Operation.
- We moved our packing operation. Volunteerism is critical to the core mission of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and our partner agencies. All packing is now taking place at our new Central Packing Operation located at 1530 B Bobali Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17104. Volunteers must sign-up through the website.
- Volunteers must follow strict safety protocols. This helps to protect our hive, our family and our friends.
CPFB Required COVID-19 Protocols for Volunteers and Team Members?
- Volunteerism is critical to the core mission of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and our partner agencies. Since volunteer needs are changing daily, please sign-up on our website.
- No volunteers under the age of 18 are allowed.
- As of March 7, 2022, facial coverings are optional.
- Work boots or closed toes shoes are mandatory.
- Please do not volunteer if you have exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms within the past 14 days, or been in contact with someone who has. (Please stay home if you have knowingly been around anyone who has been ill)
- Volunteer coordinators will monitor for visible signs of any illness (though symptoms of illness do not always present visibly) and graciously require impacted volunteers to exit to ensure group safety.
- All volunteers must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before beginning their shift.
- Additional hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed in several areas for use during their project.
- Any volunteer who steps away from the line must re-wash their hands before resuming.
Scope of the need
The COVID-19 crisis revealed how vulnerable so many Pennsylvanians are to hunger. Many are just one missed paycheck away from financial hardship. While the signs of economic recovery are encouraging, food insecurity is still a stark reality for thousands of our neighbors. Today, more than 337,000 central Pennsylvanians remain vulnerable to hunger. Many may be back to work but still face overdue bills and other expenses from the past 20 months. As variants of the COVID virus emerge, there is still uncertainty about when the economy will make a full recovery.
COVID-19 has shined a spotlight on the disproportionate impact hunger has on people of color and those who live in rural communities. These individuals and families have been hit harder with the health and economic consequences of the pandemic and studies show their recovery will take longer. Feeding America, the national organization of regional food banks, predicts more than 21% of Black Americans (1 in 5) will face food insecurity in 2021, compared to 1 in 9 white Americans. Rural communities are also hit hard. Food insecurity rates among the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s most rural counties have increased in magnitude by 25% to 30% from 2019 to 2021. The Food Bank is committed to addressing these inequities in the months and years ahead and is working with our partners to make sure these communities have access to the nutritious food they need to lead healthy lives.
Important Links
For additional information or questions, please contact us by:
Email: info@centralpafoodbank.org
Phone: 717.564.1700 or 570.321.8023