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The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank of Harrisburg will receive $5.1 million in money and goods through the state's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) from a variety of businesses that will be entitled to tax credits covering most of those contributions, according to a news release from the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The Food Bank distributes food to pantries in 27 counties, and includes a hub on Scotch Valley Road in Hollidaysburg that serves Blair, Clearfield, Centre and Bedford counties and part of Mifflin.
The NAP funding will help the Food Bank in its efforts to bridge the gap between what people can afford and what they must have to keep from being hungry, according to Food Bank CEO Shila Ulrich.
"We are at a time of elevated and sustained need," Ulrich said.
Food insecurity has increased 44% in the last four years, she said.
Changes in federal policy have led to a reduction of about 12% in the number of people eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which in turn has brought a 10% increase in the use of the Food Bank since January 2025, according to an online source and Ulrich.
Grocery prices have risen 33% since 2019, and 40% of Americans are having a hard time paying for basic needs, Ulrich said.
"A chilling number, for sure," she said. "People are making choices between rent and food" -- as well as medications.
The Food Bank has a SNAP Helpline -- 1-877-999-5964 -- she said.
The organization's website www.centralpafood
bank.org also has a button titled "Find Food" to help people locate other food sources.
The organization's budget was about $130 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, according to Ulrich.
The NAP program is providing about $71.5 million overall to support 443 projects statewide, according to the news release.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.