Did you know that 1 in 5 children across Chester County face food insecurity? Even though Chester County is one of wealthiest counties in Pennsylvania known around the world for its agricultural contributions, food insecurity remains an unsolved problem. That’s where the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) and its more than 100 partners come in. This time of the year, it’s more important than ever to support your local food bank and help end food insecurity.
The CCFB does more than simply provide meals to those in need. From educating the next generation, keeping the elderly connected, organizing and distributing food donations, and the massive job of storing and rotating food stores to supporting partner programs in local communities and empowering them to deliver food solutions that are right for them, our county food bank strives towards the elimination of food insecurity.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in many charitable organizations around our area. For me, being a member of the community means being there for our entire community. Recently, I volunteered with the CCFB and was inspired by the work they’re doing. It truly is more than just a storage and distribution center, and I was surprised to learn just how much they do for our community.
Here are just a few of the amazing resources and programs offered by the Chester County Food Bank:
Child-Focused Programs
The first set of programs I’d like to discuss are close to my heart, addressing the problem of child food insecurity in our great county. When I found out that 1 in 5 school aged children in our county face food insecurity, I was appalled. 20% of children should not have to go hungry in our area that produces so much food.
The CCFB works to correct this problem with multiple initiatives. Programs range in their level of support, from teaching children the skills they need to feed themselves to providing meals during weekends, holidays, and summer break to career development. This wholistic approach to ending food insecurity is a common theme through the CCFB’s programs.
Senior Programs
Through their own initiatives like Simple Suppers and Sunshine Meals to partnerships with organizations like Meals on Wheels, the Chester County Food Bank has programs to get nutritious, delicious food to seniors in our community while keeping them engaged. The CCFB’s volunteer positions offer great ways to keep us all connected. With opportunities like driving around the county collecting or distributing food, tending community gardens, and packaging food at distribution centers, there are plenty of ways for seniors to stay involved with our community.
Community Organizer Education Programs
With a focus on the county and the logistics of ending food insecurity, the Chester County Food Bank partners with local community organizations and empowers them to fight food insecurity in their communities. Support comes in the form of everything from education and certification programs to grants for refrigeration to actual food. With more than 100 local partners, the CCFB is almost more like a governing body than a food warehouse.
Garden Programs
Food insecurity isn’t a problem that can be solved just by throwing meals at it, and the CCFB knows that. In addition to their education programs, they offer partnerships with local community gardens to help grow the food they share with our neighbors. Support can come in the form of everything from educational materials and oversight to hands-on installation of gardens. Community gardens bring so many benefits already, adding the charitable use of its produce adds a new level of community engagement.
Fresh Produce Initiatives
The Chester County Food Bank isn’t just for people facing food insecurity, it’s for all of us here in Chester County. As part of their mission to “mobilize and educate the community to ensure equitable access to nutritious and familiar food,” the CCFB has programs to help get local, nutritious produce into the hands and onto the tables of everyone in our community. Check out the Fresh2You Mobile Market the next time you’re looking for some local produce!
Get Involved
With so many wonderful programs and opportunities, there are tons of ways to give and get involved with the Chester County Food Bank. I encourage you to do what you can to help support this important local charitable organization. Ending food insecurity, especially in our agrarian Chester County, seems like a no-brainer to me. Hopefully I’ll see you at one of their events the next time I’m there!
*All statistics in this article from https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/
