OUR MISSION
fighting hunger, improving lives, strengthening communities
Who are the faces of hunger in central Pennsylvania? More often than not, they are people just like you. In fact, 58% of those served by the Food Bank are working families with children.
One in 9 central Pennsylvanians, including one in 7 children, are facing hunger every day. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce hunger in 27 central Pennsylvania counties. By working with more than 1,130 local agencies and programs, we serve over 253,000 people in need each month.
Who We Are
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, an affiliate of Feeding America and Feeding Pennsylvania, serves 27 counties across Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 1982, there have been many positive changes to the organization, including expansions to both healthy food hub locations in Harrisburg and Williamsport and capacity investments in hundreds of our local Partner Agencies to better serve many communities.
Originally, the Food Bank was located in a converted movie theater in Steelton. In 1991, the Food Bank initiated a capital campaign, raising $1.5 million for the construction of a brand-new warehouse. In 1994, the Food Bank relocated to its current facility in Harrisburg. In 2012, the Food Bank’s Harrisburg Healthy Food Hub underwent a second expansion, adding 28,000 sq. ft. onto the existing warehouse giving it a total of 75,000 sq. ft.
In 2002, a second Healthy Food Hub was added in Williamsport, to better serve the northern tier of our territory. In 2016, the Williamsport location underwent an expansion transforming it from a 17,000 sq. ft. facility to 30,000 sq. ft., which is critical to achieving the Bold Goal. By expanding, the Food Bank is able to distribute more healthy food to distant rural areas in particular and provide more fresh and local food as well as creating a space for unique educational and volunteer opportunities.
Our Bold Goal
By 2025, our collaborative network will provide access to enough nutritious food for everyone struggling with hunger in each of the 27 central Pennsylvania counties we serve, and we will convene and nurture partnerships to make progress toward ending hunger.
To achieve this Bold Goal, we have embraced the concept of working in closer partnership with organizations that are helping families and individuals increase their personal financial stability and resilience. Some folks call this “root cause” work and the desired result is freedom from needing food assistance….truly ending hunger at the household level. We know this is long-term work and that our Food Bank cannot drive all of this effort, but we can surely work together with our partners, donors and friends to leverage our mutual strengths and have a greater impact for our neighbors in need.
Our Service Area
Largest Food Bank In Central Pennsylvania
As the largest food distribution organization in the region, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is on a mission to end hunger by distributing nutritious food in partnership with more than 1,130 partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, low-income child and senior care centers, VFW) and programs in 27 counties. With their help, we were able to distribute more than 53.8 million nutritious meals this year.
Our Values
Collaboration
We believe in the power of community. We collaborate and build strong relationships, based on trust, with and among those who share our vision of creating a hunger-free America. We work together to accomplish the vision at the national and local levels, valuing each other’s roles and using an open process and honest communication. We seek out and are responsive to the input and counsel of our partners.
Compassion
We will genuinely care for each other, our partners, our donors, and most importantly those we serve. We will look through the eyes of the other person and, seeing their need, will act before being asked. We will have empathy in our communications and work to change our perspective when required.
Diversity
We believe that the ethnic, cultural, and social diversity of our nation should be reflected in our staff, Board, and network.
Integrity
We act with honesty, trust, and openness, and deliver on commitments. We act within the spirit of agreements, contracts, and the law. Our intentions and actions will be transparent and above reproach.
Respect
We respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person and treat all with justice, equality, and compassion. We honor the lives, concerns, and stories of people in need and expect our partners to do the same. We accept one another and encourage diversity of thoughts and ideas.
Stewardship & Accountability
We keep faith with the public trust through the efficient and compassionate use of resources entrusted to us and are mindful that our mission is accomplished through the generosity of others. We maintain and communicate accurate and timely information on hunger research, education, advocacy, and service. We evaluate and account regularly for how resources are used to implement and achieve our mission.
Urgency
We operate with an acute sense of urgency that reflects the immediate needs of hungry people. We challenge our employees, volunteers, and partners to embrace the same sense of urgency to accomplish our shared vision.
