People who are struggling financially often like to stay below the radar, but officials at the Chester County Food Bank are grateful that organizations such as the Pennsylvania State Police and Victory Brewing Company recognize that hunger is a persistent problem, despite Chester County’s affluence.
One in 14 residents don’t know if or when their next meal will materialize, said Rev. Phoebe Kitson-Davis, the Chester County Food Bank’s agency and community partnership manager. She said those individuals are often forced to choose between food and other necessities, like rent, mortgage or car payments.
“This holiday season has been a greater challenge for us to support our local agencies due to the lack of a state budget in Pennsylvania,” Kitson-Davis said, explaining that the food bank has been unable to use State Food Purchase Program grants to help fund the distribution of much-needed food. “We support over 120 agencies throughout Chester County and are grateful to donors large and small for supporting the neighbors in their community. Every gift makes a difference in the life of a hungry person.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, on behalf of the Avondale barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troopers Pascal DiJoseph and Samantha L. Minnucci helped address that need. They crammed one of the patrol vehicles with 380 pounds of food amassed during the past three weeks and headed to the food bank, which acts as a clearinghouse for area food cupboards.
Minnucci, the community service officer for the Avondale barracks, said troopers and other state police personnel collected most of the food although a couple donations came from residents. “We will continue to collect food at the station for another delivery for Christmas,” she said, inviting the public to participate.
“We’d love to get the public more involved,” she added, explaining that the troopers’ desire to help is heightened by their firsthand observations of some residents’ struggles. “Maybe we could get an even bigger donation together for Christmas.”
She said items in need over the holidays include stuffing, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, whole grain cereal, canned fish or meat, peanut butter and jelly.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, Victory Brewing Company, which just opened its third Chester County brewpub in Parkesburg, continued its commitment to community service, partnering with food distributor Sysco to donate 350 turkeys to the Parkesburg community through the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. According to the food bank, more than 1,000 residents living within the Octorara Area School District go to the food cupboard for emergency food support each month.
Victory Brewmasters Bill Covaleski and Rob Barchet worked along with volunteers and board members of the Octorara Area Food Cupboard in Parkesburg to distribute turkeys and side dishes.
“Thanksgiving is a time to look around and appreciate your good fortune, no matter how large or small,” Bill Covaleski said in a press release. “At Victory, we feel fortunate to be a part of this dynamic, growing community. We hope this turkey donation will make 350 families in the Octorara area have fuller hearts and satisfied appetites this Thanksgiving.”
More than 2,000 turkeys were needed by the Chester County Food Bank to fulfill Thanksgiving requests from partner organizations such as cupboards and shelters. Anne Shuniak, community engagement and marketing manager for the Chester County Food Bank, said having partners like Victory Brewing Company, the Pennsylvania State Police, Kimberton Whole Foods, Wegmans, schools, and others has helped bridge the gap.
“The more turkeys that are donated, the more agencies we are able to serve for Thanksgiving and the holidays … It has been heartwarming to see the response from every corner of the county,” said Shuniak. “In addition to the holidays, we must also focus on collecting food to get people through the winter.”
Minnucci said she hoped Tuesday’s delivery would inspire others to contribute, a sentiment shared by Larry Welsch, executive director of the Chester County Food Bank.
“Holiday food donations channel the spirit of giving but hopefully everyone is aware that hunger knows no season,” Welsch said. “We are committed to supporting our community by providing healthy nutritious foods to our neighbors in need throughout the year.”
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