CARLISLE

Giant Company helping combat hunger

The Giant Company announced Monday its Feeding School Kids initiative, in partnership with its customers, raised more than $1.5 million to combat hunger throughout local public school districts in the communities it serves.

From Jan. 1 through March 31, customers at Giant, Martin’s and Giant Heirloom Market stores were invited to round up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their choice points into a donation to support their local public school districts’ food programs. The Giant Company also donated $100,000 to the program.

Through Feeding School Kids, public school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity from supplying backpacks with weekend food to clearing outstanding student lunch debt to building on-campus food pantries and establishing garden programs.

The State College Area School District, with $19,996, was among the top 15 public school districts receiving funds from the Feeding School Kids initiative.

JOHNSTOWN

Penn Highlands offers new certificates

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has added new Criminal Justice and Culinary Arts certificates. Both are set to start with the Fall 2024 semester.

The Culinary Arts program consists of eight classes, with seven of them taking place at the college’s new Center for Culinary Excellence in downtown Johnstown.

Students completing the course will be prepared for entry-level and management positions within the food service industry. They will receive a general business management foundation and advanced culinary skills that can be applied to future employment.

The Criminal Justice program is designed to be completed in one year, consisting of 18 credits. Students will take three classes each semester.

Students will be prepared for an entry level position in any of the three criminal justice components — law enforcement, courts and corrections. It provides students with classes designed to introduce them to each component of the criminal justice system with an emphasis on how these components relate to, interact with, and complement one another.