Collection Bins, New Virtual Food Drive Accepting Donations Until Jan. 8

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This holiday season, state employees will again open their hearts and give hope to struggling families by making donations to food pantries across Pennsylvania.

For the second year, the Department of Agriculture has teamed with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and PhilAbundance to place collection bins for donations in 19 state office buildings.

Donations may also be made at www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/commonwealth this year. Anyone using the virtual food drive, which is being hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, may select which county or local food agency they wish to receive the donation.

Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said the food drive is an opportunity to help Pennsylvanians trying to cope with the challenging economic times.

"When Governor Rendell helped to light the Capitol Christmas tree last week, he said this is the season of hope, but that too many families are without that optimism this year because of the recession," said Redding. "He called on those of us who are doing OK, and who are holding our own, to be charitable and to help those in need. This food drive is an opportunity to show our generosity and help make the holiday season brighter and happier for more of Pennsylvania's families."

Redding noted that Pennsylvania's emergency food system relies upon private support, such as food donations and charitable giving, as its foundation. Food drives, Redding said, play an important role in helping restock the shelves of pantries and county organizations that are finding it difficult to keep pace with an increased demand for their service.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank experienced a more-than-50-percent increase in requests for assistance during the past two years, while the number of households served by Second Harvest Food Bank in northwestern Pennsylvania increased nearly 2,000 between April and September. Food pantries in Wayne County report approximately 20 new families a month visiting their sites.

In Allegheny County, a hunger assistance hotline is now referring more than 100 families a month to local food pantries; the typical monthly rate is 25-35 families. Chester County organizations have also reported double-digit increases of between 37 percent and 54 percent in the number of people requesting food. One agency, the West Chester Food Cupboard, now serves 420 families per month, up from 280.

"During last year's food drive, state employees donated nearly 10,000 pounds of food, which is enough to provide more than 7,800 meals," said Redding. "That tremendous show of support helped these organizations serve new families that were looking for help. I hope that our employees, who have done such terrific work during this trying year, will meet if not exceed that level of giving this year."

The collection bins and the virtual food drive will remain available until Friday, Jan. 8.

Media contact: Justin Fleming, 717-787-5085

Editor's Note: Collection bins for the canned food drive are located near the Christmas trees in the following buildings:

Harrisburg:

Capitol/East Wing/Irvis/North Office Building

Finance Building

Forum Building

Health and Welfare Building

Judicial Building

Keystone Building

Labor & Industry Building

22nd and Forster (DGS Surplus Property Building)

Agriculture Building

Harristown 1 (Strawberry Square)

Harristown 2 (333 Market St.)

Forum Place

Rachel Carson State Office Building

18th and Herr Streets (DGS Public Works and Maintenance Building)

Regional Offices:

Philadelphia (801 Arch St. and 801 Market St.)

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us