In the 35 years that have passed since Susan first stepped into the Fulton County Food Basket (a partner of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank), a lot has changed. The once wide-eyed volunteer — eager to give back to the same community that helped her out as a first-time mom facing food insecurity — is now director of the entire pantry. Still, one thing remains firmly the same: Susan’s passion for putting love on the tables of her neighbors.

“Some people ask me, ‘Where do you work?’ And I answer them, ‘I don’t work.’ Work is when I go home and have to sweep the floor and clean the dishes — that’s work. But this is something I love to do. I think that’s why I put so much into it, because I just really believe in the program.”

The center, which serves approximately 40-75 people per week, is an emergency-based service. While food pickup is typically on a need-to basis, the center also offers a gardening program, as well as SNAP education. Susan, who also directs this program, is proud to say that her efforts at helping pantry guests eat nutritiously have paid off.

“What they like the most are the canned fruits and fresh produce,” Susan explains. “We get all kinds of stuff — zucchini, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, lettuce, kale. We’ve even taught people how to make kale chips. That’s part of the nutrition part, teaching people how to use those vegetables.”

Susan understands that some people have a hard time accepting a helping hand, even when they need it. Still, she encourages them to remember that if they do stop by the pantry, they will be loved and supported.

“I would just try to talk with them and see if we could get them to come in. If they were still reluctant, I would let them know that I was in a situation at one time and understand their feeling. There’s no judgment here. We’re all like family. We’re here to help you.”

More than 337,000 of our neighbors in central Pennsylvania are still working hard to get back on their feet in the wake of the pandemic. 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.

 

How can you lend a helping hand.

  • Support our efforts 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.