Now in its sixth year of operation, the Chester County Food Bank has always been on a dedicated mission to end hunger in Chester County, but do you know how they do it, what they promote or how the education that they provide benefits the community?
There are many life-changing layers of this onion to peel. The Food Bank does so much more than collect canned goods, sort fresh produce and raise awareness of the need to help close to 50,000 people. Take a look at the snapshot below.
The Who
A dedicated board of directors and a tireless staff work together with enthusiastic volunteers to come up with ways to benefit local communities through:
- The collection and distribution of fresh food and nonperishable items throughout the county, including “food desert” areas.
- The education of our communities on the benefits of food access, healthy food preparation and teaching healthy cooking habits.
- Providing the means to organize and promote successful food drives with schools, businesses, organizations and individuals.
- Providing maps and lists of food cupboards, soup kitchens and other hot meal sites for those in need and those who wish to help.
The How
It takes a tremendous amount of people-power to bring about positive change in Chester County. Take a look at just a few examples of how the Food Bank makes an impact.
Food Drives: Schools, corporations and personal food drives are a valuable resource to acquire much-needed nonperishable items to stock the shelves of the distribution center.- Raised Bed Gardens: a network of over 125 garden sites provides fresh produce to local food cupboards from May through November. The Outdoor Classroom at Springton Manor Farm provides education opportunities for students, educators and the community at large.
- Farming: Partnerships with local farms like Pete’s Produce Farm and Springton Manor Farm are essential in providing fresh produce to the Food Bank for distribution.
- Kitchen: This first stop is where food is cleaned, sorted and packaged by a core team of hard-working volunteers.
- Distribution: The Food Bank operates from its sole facility in Exton, where food arrives from local farms, corporations, individuals and government programs to be prepped for over 100 cupboards, pantries and partners that are located throughout Chester County.
- Food Sourcing: The Chester County Food Bank uses its financial resources to purchase perishable and nonperishable food for those in need throughout the year.
- Education: The Food Bank teaches the community about the importance of healthy eating through Nutrition Education programs, recipes, cooking classes and the Fresh2You Mobile Market.
The Why
- Be informed. Did you know that a single parent working to sustain a minimum wage job would need to work 80 hours per week to sustainably live in this area? Are you aware that at least 1 in 14 people in Chester County is food insecure, meaning that they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food? Check out the Food Bank’s news and events or “like” the Food Bank on Facebook for community facts, promotions and donation and volunteer opportunities.
- Donate. It’s no surprise that it takes time and money to help our neighbors. Every little bit helps. Donate here!
- Volunteer. Help out in the kitchen or harvest at one of the gardens or farms. Volunteer here.
As you can see, there are many layers of the Chester County Food Bank. Fortunately, because of neighbors like you the Food Bank can continue to make a difference in our community by providing assistance for individuals and families in need. Want to learn more? Stop by the Open House on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. All are welcome to:
Tour the facility- Meet staff, food cupboard and agency partners and farm partners
- Check out a fermentation demonstration with Cucina Verde
- Enjoy honey tasting with Two Gander Farm
- Watch a compost-at-home demonstration
- Get a sneak peek of the Fresh2You Mobile Market
Bring the kids for fun activities, too. And, of course, food donations will be gratefully accepted during the event.
The Chester County Food Bank is located at 650 Pennsylvania Dr. in Exton; phone: (610) 873-6000.
- Photos: Chester County Food Bank
