As the economy reacts to the global health crisis that is COVID-19, it is a plain truth that more people will need to rely on emergency food services. For the citizens of Pennsylvania, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has issued guidance for accessing emergency food assistance for those at risk of hunger due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“During this time of major precautions to reduce risks of spreading COVID-19, those out of work, those who rely on college meal plans, school meals to feed their children, and those who are isolated may not know where to turn for food,” Secretary Redding said. “No Pennsylvanian should go hungry, even in these extraordinary times.”
These specific instructions were shared for those seeking emergency food assistance:
Out of Work with No Pay? You are Eligible for Food Assistance
If your workplace has closed and you’ve been laid off from work without pay, you can receive food sourced from the state and federal government from a food bank or food pantry in PA. This applies to service workers who no longer have shifts and hourly-wage employees whose non-essential workplaces have closed due to COVID-19 mitigation.
- First, verbally complete a Self-Declaration of Need form; forms are also available in Spanish and Russian. Signatures have been temporarily waived due to COVID-19.
- You will be asked to provide your household size and weekly income level as of the day you apply. Complete income guidelines can be found at agriculture.pa.gov.
Food Banks are Open
Thanks to the tireless work of employees and volunteers, food banks are open and delivering food to many agencies, including soup kitchens, pantries and shelters. Many food banks are also doing special drive-through distributions. Offerings and hours differ from food bank to food bank, so be sure to call the one nearest you to find out its current status. If your local food bank is closed, you are welcome to go to another food pantry in your area!
Food Banks that May Be Open in Your Community:
- Alliance for Nonprofit Resources Inc. (serving Butler County)
- Bucks County Opportunity Council Inc. (serving Bucks County)
- Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (serving Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union and York counties)
- Chester County Food Bank (serving Chester County)
- Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County (serving Mercer County)
- Fayette County Community Action Food Bank (serving Fayette County
- Food for Families (serving Cambria County)
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (serving Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset and Washington counties)
- Greater Washington County Food Bank (serving Washington County)
- Helping Harvest (serving Berks and Schuylkill counties)
- Indiana County Community Action Program (serving Indiana County)
- Philabundance (serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania (serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne counties)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania (serving Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Venango and Warren counties)
- Share Food Program (serving Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties)
- Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties)
- Westmoreland County Food Bank (serving Westmoreland County)
- York County Food Bank (serving York County)
Still not sure where to start? You can contact Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania to find out about food assistance services being offered in your county.
Some Food Banks Deliver
If you or family members are under isolation or quarantine, your local food bank may able to deliver food. If you are concerned about potential exposure, there are steps you and food banks can take to limit risk. The PA Department of Agriculture sent guidance to all food banks encouraging them to follow best practices to limit risk of exposure.
School Lunches are Still Available in Many Areas
Pennsylvania sought and received approval from the Federal government to allow schools the option to distribute meals at no cost while schools are closed. Districts/schools that want to act on this Federal approval must apply to PDE. PDE has begun, and continues, to expedite approvals. Districts/schools may utilize essential staff to ensure students have access to meals.
PDE is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, other state agencies, the American Red Cross, and public and private partners to expand these efforts. Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Education website for more info.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, continue to check PA Dept of Health’s coronavirus info page for the most accurate, timely information. It is updated multiple times each day. We hope this has been a helpful list of resources for any Pennsylvanians who may need food assistance during this time. Feel free to share it widely!
- Photos: Chester County Food Bank
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