Pennsylvania Department of Auditor General
Pennsylvania Department of Auditor General
19/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 20/07/2024 01:28
Auditor General DeFoor Commemorates National Pennsylvania Day by Volunteering at HANNA’s Pantry with America250PA
HARRISBURG, PA - Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today celebrated National Pennsylvania Day by volunteering at HANNA's Pantry in Susquehanna Township High School as part of America250PA's annual volunteer initiative. National Pennsylvania Day is an observance celebrated on July 20th each year to honor Pennsylvania as the second state to join the Union.
"Pennsylvania Day commemorates the significance of our state in American history and recognizes our landmarks, culture and community," Auditor General DeFoor said. "From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address, Pennsylvania has helped shape our country into what it is today. I'm proud to be part of America250PA where, on Pennsylvania Day, I can volunteer at my alma mater to celebrate and serve my community."
Auditor General DeFoor is an ex officio member of America250PA, the commission that oversees the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. As part of their volunteer component, America250PA coordinates volunteer efforts each year on July 20. This year, Pennsylvanians can participate in volunteer opportunities on both July 19 and July 20.
"Pennsylvania is the birthplace of so many trailblazers and historical figures, who went against the grain to ensure a better life for current and future generations," Auditor General DeFoor continued. "If it weren't for these individuals, I wouldn't be in the position I am today, serving as the first person of color elected to a statewide office. I'm excited that I get to serve in a state that has made so many contributions to American history and tell the stories of those who came before me."
About HANNA's Pantry
Hanna's Pantry began in response to a nutritional need for Susquehanna Township School District. It originally operated as the Adopt-a-Family School Food Pantry in Thomas W. Holtzman Jr. Elementary School. School Nurse Mary Olley discovered students were being sent to her with stomach aches. The children were not sick, but hungry. She began sending food home with students and later opened the Adopt-a-Family School Food Pantry through the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and operated it for nearly 18 years with Rockville United Methodist Church and many dedicated volunteers.
In 2019, it transitioned into HANNA's Pantry, became a HANNA Foundation project and moved to the high school. It was built by and continues to be supported by volunteers from Faith Immanuel Presbyterian and Tree of Life Lutheran Churches, Susquehanna Township School District students and staff and many dedicated community members.
Today, the Pantry maintains the long history as a member agency of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and has grown into its own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
About America250PA
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania's integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation's past, present, and future.
America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth from all 67 counties, bring the Commonwealth's history into the conversation so Pennsylvanians can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth & nation today, use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth's history but also to our Nation's history, leave a lasting impact on the next generation and to spark an interest in which will ignite the drive for them to appreciate all the triumphs, trials and tribulations to which contributed to the Commonwealth for which they are now writing their own history.
For more information about HANNA's Pantry, visit www.hannaspantry.org. For more information on America250PA, visit www.america250pa.org.
For more information on the Department of the Auditor General, visit www.PaAuditor.gov and follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. .
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