Franklin County Highlights Hunger Action Month

Pictured (from left): Franklin County Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst, SCCAP Pantry Director Lisa Beaver, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Director of Impact and Policy Zach Zook, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed September to be Hunger Action Month in Franklin County in an effort to raise awareness of food insecurity and the available resources that can help end hunger in local communities.

Hunger Action Month is a national campaign that highlights hunger issues facing communities across the country. According to Feeding America, 1.5 million Americans are impacted by food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to adequate food. Locally in Franklin County, one in nine residents and one in six children are food insecure.

Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and its partner agencies distributed over 3.2 million pounds of food in Franklin County through a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community organizations. That includes Franklin County MilitaryShare, a program that provides free, fresh, nutritious food to veterans and military families once a month. The program, launched in May 2022, feeds more than 1,200 Franklin County residents each month.

"The rising cost of groceries has put a strain on many Americans and limited their ability to purchase sufficient food for themselves and their families," said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. "That, in turn, has increased the demand for charitable food programs. We're grateful for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and its partners that provide the necessary resources that can help our residents combat hunger."

By recognizing Hunger Action Month, the commissioners are raising awareness of the importance of food banks and similar food programs. They are also calling upon Franklin County residents to do their part through volunteerism, advocacy and monetary contributions to help end hunger in local communities and across America.

Information on area resources, including a list of food pantries, soup kitchens and other programs, as well as how Franklin County residents can support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and its partner agencies is available online at www.centralpafoodbank.org.

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