Area businesses and individuals donate their holiday party funds to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Celebrating the holiday season in 2020 will certainly be different than past years, but some companies and caring individuals are still finding a way to spread some holiday cheer by giving back in their neighborhoods.

Most holiday office parties are being cancelled to keep employees safe; but in the true spirit of the holidays some companies decided to help their neighbors instead by donating the allocated funds to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Groups of young professionals are volunteering to pack food boxes instead of holiday happy hours; they can still gather together with social distance while giving back to the community. They are finding ways to get into the holiday spirit despite the pandemic.

“For us, the Mifflinburg Lumber Christmas Party has been a tradition. Families would gather at a local restaurant where we took over an entire room, had appetizers and dinner and shared ridiculous games and gifts. It has been a wonderful event that made our work team more like family,” recalled Nate Seigel, General Manager for Mifflinburg Lumber and Building Supply. “This year with COVID concerns, we were disappointed to be forced to cancel but saw a new opportunity to give. Since our beginning, giving back in our community has been a fundamental attribute of our organization so it was natural to find a new home for our Christmas funds, especially given the extraordinary need.”

“Penn National Insurance is pleased to be able to partner with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to support holiday meals for local families in need,” stated Karen Yarrish, Senior Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel for Penn National Insurance. “These extraordinary circumstances present unusual opportunities, and we are redeploying funds that we had allocated to our employee holiday lunch celebrations.”

“Thousands of families in central Pennsylvania are experiencing food insecurity as a result of the pandemic, many for the first time. Of those individuals, one-third are children,” said Joe Arthur, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time, but for many who trying to get back on their feet, this year the holidays may be the most stressful time of the year. The outpouring of support from our community allows the Food Bank to give them hope.”

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank can maximize the impact of monetary donations because of its wholesale purchasing ability, partnerships with food donors and suppliers, and efficient distribution model. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can help provide six nutritious meals to those in need. But money is not the only way to help.

Nathan, a 22-year old recent college graduate, wanted to do something together with his friends that would be safe, socially distant, and good for the community. He invited a group to join him in volunteering with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

“There are 15 of us and we are all really close. We’ve never done something like this together,” said Nathan. “Now we share another bond through helping out at the Food Bank and it’s something that we all plan to continue.”

For Nathan, the volunteer experience was so rewarding he decided to go a step further. He is hosting a Virtual Food Drive so his friends can also raise funds to end hunger. A Virtual Food Drive is an online tool for individuals and organizations to raise funds to help the Food Bank acquire and distribute large quantities of fresh, nutritious and healthy foods at deeply reduced rates. Just like online shopping, Virtual Food Drives are safe, easy and fun.

These acts of kindness are not taken lightly by our neighbors reaching out for help.

For Josie, who attended a holiday distribution at one of our partner agencies, the services the Food Bank provides for families like her own means love. “It shows me there is love in the community,” Josie says. “Even with all of the bad news and everybody is going through their own things… [but] there’s still some kind of love out there.”

Josie’s daughter, Angelia, added “There’s a lot of care that people put into it [the Food Bank]. It means a lot from everybody in our household.”

Since COVID struck, the Food Bank saw a more than 40% increase in food distribution over the same time last year. This equates to more than 13 million additional, healthy meals. The need is not waning. COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that anyone, at any time, in any circumstance, could need a little extra help keeping food on the table. Not unlike many Americans, many of the 200,000 people, up from 135,000 the year prior, who visit one of the Food Bank’s partner agencies each month live paycheck-to-paycheck and are one bad break away from being in a tough spot.

“This has been a year like no other.  The charitable food network has been put to the test with a significant increase in demand since March,” said Arthur. “It is partnerships like these, where we remain a strong front to combat hunger and make sure everyone has a meal on the table this holiday and beyond.”

How can you lend a helping hand?

  • Support our efforts as we feed children and families in need by donating today.
  • Host your own Virtual Food Drive and help many more of your neighbors in need by raising funds for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Every dollar counts!
  • Give the gift of time by volunteering. Volunteerism is critical to the core mission of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and our partner agencies.