Grant will help more than 140,000 people in need in central Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg, PA – May 14, 2019)  — Today, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank announced a $18,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to provide food to more than the more than 140,000 individuals who struggle with hunger every month in central Pennsylvania.  A member of the Feeding America network, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is one of 30 food banks selected to receive this grant, which helps support local hunger relief efforts.

“People who face hunger do not have regular access to enough food for a healthy, active life.  The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is thankful to the Caterpillar Foundation for its commitment to helping to support families in need in our community,” said Jennifer Powell, Director of Development at the Food Bank.

The grant will be used to expand the Food Bank’s traditional BackPack program to provide meals for the whole family through partnerships with schools, pantries and mobile distributions.  By developing onsite school pantries or family packs to take home, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is ensuring a child, and their family, have access to healthy, nutritious food.

“The Caterpillar Foundation supports programs that alleviate poverty in communities in which we live and work.  We are proud to partner with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to support individuals in 27 PA counties who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Kathryn Karol, Caterpillar vice president and chairman of the Caterpillar Foundation Board of Directors. “When people’s basic human needs are met, they are able to more effectively pursue economic and educational opportunities. And when they can do so, an entire community can benefit.”

Since 2015, Caterpillar Foundation has provided $3.9 million in county-level grants to Feeding America food banks.  Caterpillar Foundation’s grants also helped food banks provide 10.5 million pounds of food in counties where Caterpillar employees live and work.  This donation will help provide more than 108,000 meals to local children and families in need.