HARRISBURG (Nov. 19) – Each year the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC honors those whose leadership and community service best exemplify the organization’s goal of being a Catalyst for the Harrisburg region in making it a better place to live, work and play. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is proud to have its executive director, Joe Arthur among the visionary leaders and businesses to be honored this year “for creating positive change.” Joe is being recognized for his leadership of the Food Bank through the pandemic and for the sustained impact that his work has had in the community for the past decade.
“My name may be on the award, but it is the entire Central Pennsylvania Food Bank team that deserves the honor,” said Arthur. “Being a catalyst, a force that provokes positive change in the community, is baked into our mission – fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities.”
He pointed out that Central Pennsylvania Food Bank does not measure success merely by pounds of food distributed, but instead by its impact in addressing hunger. He added, “Emergency food assistance is an important part of what we do, but true success is measured by expanded local access to fresh, healthy food, community collaboration, and a shared effort to address the barriers and iniquities that contribute to poverty and hunger.”
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a major increase in the need for emergency food assistance, significantly disrupted the food supply chain, and posed grave health risks to staff, volunteers, and clients. The Food Bank had to rapidly deploy new tactics to respond to the demand and keep everyone socially distant and safe.
Between March and October 2020, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank distributed more than 44 million pounds of food, a nearly 40% increase from the same time last year. Volunteers spent 19,000 hours packing more than 250,000 crisis response boxes full of healthy, shelf-stable food. Joe’s leadership helped the Food Bank provide healthy, nutritious meals to more than 200,000 individuals per month through its network of soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters throughout 27 counties.
Joe has a strong, unshakeable belief that every person deserves access to quality, nutritious food. Under his guidance, the Food Bank has expanded its capacity to offer fresh, healthy food; capitalized on efforts to rescue good food from going to waste on farms; launched a MilitaryShare program to help veterans and military families, and increased the reach of the Food Bank in Pennsylvania’s northern tier. His passion for the Food Bank’s mission draws support and generosity from corporate donors and foundations to school children.
“We are honored to earn the distinction as a catalyst for positive change, but we know there is much more work to be done. So many in our community are great supporters,” said Joe. “When it comes to fighting hunger in Central Pennsylvania, we truly are better together.”
The Chamber & CREDC will host the Catalyst Awards virtual ceremony on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 3:30 p.m.