Excerpts taken from our partner,  Feeding America.

The guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin is an important step toward justice, but there is still important work to do. The tragic deaths of many who have died at the hands of systematic injustices and the pain that black communities have suffered have gone on for far too long.

We stand together with the black community, knowing that “justice for all” is a choice.⠀We will act together because words alone cannot fix what is broken. We will:⠀
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  • Escalate our work to advance equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our organization.⠀
  • Understand we do not have all the answers and will partner with experts in this area to advance our growth.⠀
  • Diversify our staff and board to include more women, members of the black community, other people of color and people with lived experience of hunger.⠀
  • Increase our investment in communities of color, who we know are disproportionately affected by poverty and hunger.⠀
  • Listen to and amplify underrepresented voices and advocate for government policies that can make a positive impact on the lives of people facing hunger.⠀
  • Expand our efforts to bring members of underrepresented communities together and provide a platform to co-create solutions.⠀
  • Hold ourselves accountable, by posting actions taken.⠀⠀

The CEO of MAZON, a prominent anti-hunger organization, recently captured the essence of how racism intersects with our mission: “We also know that racism goes beyond individual acts of bigotry, hatred, and violence. It infects the beliefs, policies, and institutions that limit opportunity, allow discrimination, and perpetuate inequalities. As anti-hunger advocates, we acknowledge the reality that we cannot end hunger without confronting racism.”

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is committed to serving without discrimination as we pursue our Bold Goal, but if we are truly on the path to end hunger, we must go further. We must commit to working for equity, for diversity, and for inclusion, and against inequities that sustain hunger. We are proud to join Feeding America in this work. And much like our pandemic crisis response, this will be a marathon, and one we must embark upon now.

We stand together.

With gratitude,

Joe Arthur, Executive Director