Hunger In America 2010 The Growing Business of Helping Seniors

A Newsletter for Supporters of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Hunger In America 2010
—The Results Are In!
Study reveals more work needed to address
childhood hunger in Central Pennsylvania.
Spring 2010
The Growing Business of
Helping Seniors
How often during the last 12 months was your
child not eating enough because you couldn’t
afford enough food?
This is one of the tough questions asked by Food Bank
staff and volunteers in client interviews they conducted as
part of an in-depth hunger study led by Feeding America
-- the nation’s food bank network. The study, Hunger
in America 2010, found that 17.1% of Food Bank clients
answered often or sometimes to the above question.
In addition, the Food and Research Action Center, the
nation’s leading anti-hunger organization, found that
almost 1 in 4 of all Pennsylvania families with children
responded similarly to the above question. When you add
up all the numbers, these studies highlight the fact that
many people are struggling to feed their children during
these difficult economic times.
… even at modest
levels of food
insecurity, the
effect on the health,
development,
learning and mental
health of a child is
particularly harsh.
The most prolific and compelling research on child
hunger shows that, even
at modest levels of food
insecurity, the effect on a
child’s health, development,
learning and mental health
is particularly harsh. In
addition, the psychological
impact of food insecurity
affects adults and children
alike. When children at
the Food Bank’s Neighborhood Center Kids Café were
asked “Who do you think
is hungry in the world and
why? Five-year old Michelle
replied, “Mommy.” When
Continued on page 3.
In the past 12 months, have you had to choose
between paying for food and paying for medicine
or medical care; between food and utilities or
heating fuel?
Twenty-nine percent of the senior citizens serviced by the
Food Bank responded yes to having to choose between
food and medicine or medical care and 25% responded yes
to choosing between food and utilities and heating fuel.
In the past, the Food Bank, through its Elder Share
program, has attempted to meet this growing need by
providing approximately 300 low-income seniors in several
counties with a box of food during the third week of
the month, a time when their scant resources are often
depleted. However, through the advocacy efforts of food
Continued on page 3.
Inside This Edition
Executive Director’s
Message...................... 2
Williamsport Food
Bank Flourishes............ 2
Gardeners Giving Back........ 3
Welcome Aboard!.............. 3
Donors Making a
Difference.................... 4
Volunteer Groups................ 5
Food Drives........................ 6
17th Annual
Soup & a Bowl............. 6
Donor Spotlight.................. 7
HACC Professor
Donates Tundra............ 7
Save the Dates.................... 8
Visit our website at
Page 2
We could not have done it without you!
A message from the Executive Director
3908 Corey Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109-5929
717-564-1700
Fax 717-561-4636
www.centralpafoodbank.org
2010 Board of Directors
Ron Smalstig – President
Joel Hopkins – Vice President
Tanya Gentry – Secretary
George West, CPA – Treasurer
Melissa Bard
Sherry Baskin
Adam Campbell
Sean Connolly
Jim Curran
Rev. Dr. J. Richard Eckert
Bob Gillard
Timothy Grunstra
Kirk Hallett
Charles A. Linn
John Linnenbach
Mark Merrill
Bridget Montgomery
Tracy Pawelski
Don Roth
Matt Schlosser
Tona Shaver
Doug Shuff
Jamie Strong
Executive Director
Kendall Hanna
Associate Director
Joe Arthur
The official registration and financial information of the Central
Pennsylvania Food Bank may be
obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free
1-800-732-0999. Registration does
not imply endorsement.
Our cover stories highlight some results of the hunger
study in which we participated last year. Since the last study
conducted in 2005, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has
seen the number of people we serve annually swell from
over 156,000 in 2005 to more than 250,000 in 2009, a 60%
increase. In any given week, we are providing food to more
than 38,500 people.
Kendall Hanna
As we continue to see unemployment numbers approachExecutive Director
ing double digits with no job recovery in sight, we expect
this trend to continue. Studies like Hunger in America 2010 bring home the fact that
we must do more to address hunger in our community so that no one will be hungry.
At the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, with your help, we will rise to the challenge.
Currently, we are ramping up our advocacy efforts by collaborating with other regional
food banks to press for more funding for the Pennsylvania State Food Purchase
Program, which provides cash grants to counties for the purchase and distribution
of food to eligible individuals. In addition, under Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood
Assistance Program, we are pushing for additional tax credits for food banks which will
help us provide incentives to businesses that supply much needed food and monetary
donations. We will also be asking our donors and supporters to consider increasing
their support, whether it is money, food or time. If you would like to learn how you
can help us meet this growing challenge, please visit us at centralpafoodbank.org.
We want to thank you for all you have done to help us fight hunger. We would also
like to thank our member agencies and the many volunteers who helped us secure
accurate and complete data for our study. We could not have done it without you!
Loving its New Digs, Williamsport Flourishes
Since moving into its new warehouse, the Williamsport Branch of the Central
Pennsylvania Food Bank has been busy. From hosting two food safety trainings with over twenty agencies in attendance, to holding food drives with Clear
Channel Communications, First National Bank, PALCO Federal Credit Union
and the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Daisy Troop 60303; things
have been moving.
They hosted their 4th Annual Soup and A Bowl at the Genetti Hotel and Suites
in Williamsport. This year’s event, although postponed by one week due to inclement weather, was the biggest event ever bringing in more than 200 attendees and raising over $12,000. Patrons enjoyed a light lunch of soups, bread
and dessert, listened to ragtime pianist, Tom Wetzel, and left with a handcrafted pottery bowl, donated graciously by local potters and school students.
Look forward to the Williamsport Branch’s 5th Annual Soup and a Bowl, with a
Mardi Gras theme, slated for Friday, February 25, 2011!
www.centralpafoodbank.org
Page 3
Hunger In America
Helping Seniors
Continued from cover.
Continued from cover.
asked “Why is Mommy hungry?,”
Michelle responded reluctantly,
“And Daddy … because Daddy
needs to go to work.”
banks across Pennsylvania and the
nation, the Federal Commodity
Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
will be expanded in June 2010
allowing the Food Bank to increase
our reach to 4,900 seniors in 26
counties. We will be providing 30
pounds of food monthly for every
certified senior. Food boxes will
include vegetables, fruit, pasta,
canned tuna, chicken or beef, cereal,
evaporated milk and cheese plus
information on health and nutrition.
The uplifting part of the matter
is what we can and are doing
to combat childhood hunger in
Central Pennsylvania. Fortunately,
the children who attend Kids
Café are able to receive a hot,
nutritious supper every night.
Also, every Friday, the children
pack a backpack of food to help
supplement them through the
weekend. Little Michelle says
chicken is her favorite supper.
Because of your kindness, the
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
was able to serve over 271,000
suppers and snacks to over 2,500
children at risk of going to bed
hungry last year. However, even
with this great start, the numbers
show that we have much more
work to do. With your continued
generosity, we can reach more
children at risk of going hungry.
If you are interested in more
information on the study results,
please visit our website at
centralpafoodbank.org.
Naturally, this expansion presents a
host of challenges to the Food Bank,
including the need for additional
staff, trucks, warehouse space
and ultimately, more volunteers
to pack the 4,900 monthly CSFP
boxes. Fortunately, with your
continued support, we will meet
these challenges. Currently, Food
Bank staff and volunteers are being
trained to introduce the program
to the food pantries and senior
centers that will be distributing the
monthly boxes. If you are interested
in volunteering, please contact the
Food Bank’s Volunteer Coordinator,
Jim Burns at 717-564-1700.
We welcome your help as we seek to
serve this vulnerable population.
“Gardeners
Giving Back”
Encourages Green-Thumbs
to Donate!
Has your green
thumb produced a ton
of tomatoes,
a pile of
potatoes, a
gazillion zucchinis or a boatload
of berries? Don’t
despair! Through
our “Gardeners
Giving Back” program the Central
Pennsylvania Food
Bank can connect
you to a local
hunger-relief agency that can really
use your fresh produce. The Food
Bank’s website at centralpafoodbank.
org offers a search function to locate
any member agency in our 27 county
service region.
If you need more information, please
contact Jorja Barton at 717-564-1700,
ext. 3026 or email her at jbarton@
centralpafoodbank.org.
Welcome Aboard!
Please join us in welcoming Brad Peterson, our new
Director of Communications and Tracey Lewis, our new Director of Advocacy and Outreach.
Brad, a graduate of Penn State with a degree in Mass Communications, has over 25 years of experience in
communications, marketing, public relations, media relations and brand management, including a 20-year career
with Pinnacle Health.
Tracey, a graduate of LaSalle University and Temple University School of Law, has been an attorney for over 15 years.
She has worked in the health care practice of a Philadelphia law firm, served as a Special Assistant in the Mayor of
Philadelphia’s office, and worked as a Senior Associate in a statewide lobbying firm.
Welcome Brad and Tracey!
Page 4
Visit our website at
Donors —Making a Difference
Milton Hershey School second-grader Alex
Excobar (L) and fourth-grader Don’yae
Baylor-Caroll present a check for $850 to
Food Bank Representative Anne Twomey.
The money was raised during the School’s
Milton’s Christmas Workshop, an event
during which students pay 50 cents to $2
for gifts for their family members.
Land O’Lakes presents the Food Bank with a
check for $20,000. Don Ranck, elected local
leader for Land O’Lakes and local dairy farmer,
Food Bank Executive Director, Kendall Hanna,
and Alfred Wanner, Land O’Lakes Board of
Directors and local dairy farmer.
Dominion presents a check for $10,000. State Representative,
Susan C. Helm, Food Bank Executive Director, Kendall Hanna,
Don Houser, Manager of State Government Affairs for Dominion
and Food Bank Associate Director Joe Arthur.
The Hershey Plant Inclusion Network recently donated $2,300
to the Central PA Food Bank. The money was raised by selling
a Hershey Plant Employee Cookbook which was developed by
employees submitting their favorite family recipes. Almost 250
recipes were collected. The Hershey Plant Inclusion Network
would like to thank everyone who purchased cookbooks and made
this donation possible. Cookbooks are still available for purchase at
the 19 East Employee Store.
www.centralpafoodbank.org
T hank you!
We appreciate your
generous support!
Page 5
Volunteer Groups
1st Alliance Church
Aldersgate UMC
AmeriCorps Vistas
Association of Corporate
Counsel
AutoTrader.com
Beth El Temple and Friends
Future Farmers of America “FFA” members learned about the complexity
of the emergency food assistance network from Food Bank Associate
Director Joe Arthur during February’s ‘FFA Week’ in PA.
Cisco
Cumberland County
Kiwanis
Enola Church of God
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Hershey Company
Highmark
JFC
Keystone Rotary
Twenty-five East Pennsboro Kiwanis Kids from the 4th grade donated
335 pounds of food before enjoying a tour of the warehouse and
repacking 1,100 pounds of rice.
Mechanicsburg
Presbyterian Church
Paxton UMC
PA Future Farmers of
America
Penn State
University Park Students
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Saul Ewing
Sci-Tech High School
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Trinity High School
Georgine Miley, National School
Specialist for Mrs. T’s Pierogies
presents a check to Food Bank
Executive Director, Kendall
Hanna, on behalf of 26 schools
who purchased pierogies on
National Pierogies Day.
United Concordia
PA Agriculture Secretary Russell
Redding helped the FFA pack
food boxes for distribution during
‘FFA Week’ in PA Feb. 20-27.
UPS
West Shore Academy
ZTA Harrisburg Alumni
Visit our website at
Page 6
Food Drives
Thanks to the following groups for conducting
food drives! If you would like more information
on conducting food drives, call Jim Burns at
717.564.1700 or [email protected].
1st Baptist Church Steelton = 504 lbs.
C.D. High School = 279 lbs.
Centric Bank = 387 lbs.
Comix Connection = 259 lbs.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania = 1,448 lbs.
CPNPH = 319 lbs.
Deloitte = 13,692 lbs.
Dollar General = 296 lbs.
Elizabethtown College = 389 lbs.
Karns Food = 3,512 lbs.
Lower Allen—Rossmoyne PTO = 171 lbs.
National Government Services = 176 lbs.
PA Counseling Service = 108 lbs.
PA Farm Bureau = 410 lbs.
PA Farm Show = 633 lbs.
Sci-Tech = 759 lbs.
Deloitte employees donate 13,692 pounds
of food to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Deloitte Consulting, LLP employees donated 13,692
pounds of food to the Central Pennsylvania Food
Bank over four weeks, surpassing their goal of 10,000
pounds. “During this difficult economic time for many
families and individuals in our communities, we knew
we needed to step up and give even more,” said Vince
Loose, a Deloitte principal.
17th Annual Soup & a Bowl is a SOUP-er Success!
The 17th annual Soup & a Bowl, held on March 15, flourished this year
with an expanded ballroom, enhanced soups and additional entertainment
raising more than $23,000. Nearly 600 patrons attended this year’s event
with the option to choose from hundreds of handcrafted pottery bowls.
Year after year this event is a success due to nearly 40 artists, our faithful
volunteers, event sponsors and our host, Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and
Convention Center.
With a St. Patrick’s Day backdrop, attendees enjoyed a light lunch of soups,
bread and dessert, while pianist Nate Carabello and Irish dancers provided
entertainment and students from Harrisburg Area Community College
provided a live pottery demonstration. Valerie Pritchett of ABC 27 served
as Master of Ceremonies. JFC Staffing Associations, Karns Quality Foods
and Panera Bread served as top-level sponsors. Other sponsors included
Dauphin Electric, Pepsi Bottling Company, recoupIT, Inc., Swiss Premium,
Wolf Furniture and Boyer & Ritter Accountants and Counselors. Thank you
to all of those who make this event remain a community favorite each year.
Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s event on March 14, 2011!
www.centralpafoodbank.org
Page 7
Donor Spotlight
To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected.
No one could have
understood or embodied the
essence of that statement
more than Mrs. Dorothy
James Sinon, whose recent
Endowment gift of nearly
one million dollars will allow
the Food Bank to expand its distribution operations to rural
Central Pennsylvania and sustain those efforts in perpetuity.
The Endowment gift was made in honor of her father, the
late Pennsylvania Governor Arthur H. James, her husband,
the late Frank A. Sinon, a founding partner in the prominent
law firm of Rhoads & Sinon and her only daughter, the late
Leslie Sinon Powell.
Educated in public schools, Mrs. Sinon went on to graduate
from Syracuse University in 1937 with a degree in drama. In
1939, realizing the value of service to the community, Mrs.
Sinon did not hesitate to place her career on hold when her
father, a widower, needed a First Lady to replace acting first
lady, Grace Halney Morris, his mother-in-law, who
had died. She served with distinction until 1941,
when her father remarried and she met Frank A. Sinon,
a distinguished lawyer in her father’s administration,
whom she later married.
During her distinguished career she participated in many
charitable pursuits including an honorary position on
the Junior League Board; however, “The Home of the
Friendless” Homeland Center was the organization that
captured her attention.
“With her extraordinary legacy in mind, the Board of
Directors and management of the Central Pennsylvania
Food Bank are extremely honored that the Food Bank was
named the beneficiary of this major Endowment gift from
the Sinon Charitable Trust. This gift represents the largest
gift ever received by the Food Bank in its 28-year history. We
are thrilled to continue Mrs. Sinon’s remarkable charitable
work” said Food Bank Executive Director, Kendall Hanna.
HACC Professor Donates 2010 Toyota Tundra
Al Wenger, Adjunct Professor at Harrisburg
Area Community College and member of
the Pennsylvania Association of Agriculture
Educators (PAAE) recently received one
of six 2009 Outstanding Postsecondary/
Adult Agricultural (OPAP) awards for his
outstanding work. The award, given by
the National Association of Agriculture
Educators (NAAE), in association with
Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., provides
recipients with keys to a Toyota Tundra
truck along with a 2-year lease to assist
them with their educational programs.
Instead of keeping the truck, Mr. Wenger
decided to donate it to the Food Bank.
“I’m thankful for the recognition, but
I want this gift to get as much use as
possible. By donating the vehicle to
the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank I’m
making sure that this amazing truck gets
put to good use every day” Al Wenger said.
This truck donation is the first of its kind for the Food Bank. Executive
Director Kendall Hanna said, “Mr. Wenger’s donation is simply wonderful.
We will use the truck for smaller pick-ups and to take fresh produce to
lower income communities. This vehicle will have an instant impact on
the hungry citizens of Central Pennsylvania.”
Thank you Al for supporting the Food Bank!
Non-Profit Org.
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PAID
Harrisburg, PA
Permit No. 828
3908 Corey Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109-5929
Save the Dates
Food Bank Events Offer a Wonderful
Opportunity to Sample Food and Support
our Mission of Fighting Hunger, Improving
Lives and Strengthening Communities!
September - Hunger Action Month
Monday, September 13 - Agency
Relations Conference
Sunday, October 24 - 23rd Annual
Taste of Central PA
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