Courtesy photo Homewood residents Linda Strong (left) and Joyce Weber (third from left) are shown with Northern Bedford County Food Pantry Treasurer Janis Slick and Homewood Chaplain Rev. Jerry McCuller.

MARTINSBURG — Homewood at Martinsburg announced its longstanding commitment to addressing childhood hunger in the community through an annual donation of $10,000 to local backpack programs.

These vital initiatives provide essential meals for school-aged children, ensuring they have access to nutritious food over the weekend when school meals are unavailable. This year, Homewood helped the Claysburg Food Backpack Program’s “Souper Bowl” donation drive with residents donating more than 800 individual meals.

In addition to the Claysburg program, Homewood supports four other programs: the Northern Bedford Community Food Pantry, the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation’s Scarlet Dragon Backpack Program, the Tussey Mountain Backpack Program and the Williamsburg Backpack Program.

Each quarter, Homewood donates $500 from the Chapel Offering Fund to each of these programs, totaling $10,000 annually.

The initiative reflects the compassion and generosity of Homewood’s residents, who have also been actively involved in donating grab-and-go individual meals for these programs.

These meals not only provide immediate nourishment but also help alleviate the stress faced by families struggling to provide adequate food for their children.

The Rev. Jerry McCuller, director of pastoral services for Homewood, expressed his pride in the community outreach efforts. “This initiative is about much more than just providing food; it’s about fostering a sense of connection and responsibility among our residents. It allows them to engage meaningfully with the community and make a tangible difference in the lives of young children who need our support, our residents are very passionate about making sure local children’s needs are met,” he said.

For more information about Homewood and its community initiatives, visit www.homewoodmartinsburg.com, call 814-793-1314 or email jabratton@hmwd.org.