Chester County Food Bank

Did you know, Johnson & Johnson promotes health equity in many ways–including food security? Their efforts focus on ensuring access to nutritious food for underserved communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by health disparities.   Employees from Johnson & Johnson MedTech | Orthopaedics recently donated their time harvesting fresh produce that will be distributed through our Fresh2You Mobile Market for neighbors with limited access to nutritious food. Together, the J&J team harvested 500 lbs of produce for distribution!   Thank you to the team at Johnson & Johnson for supporting community food initiatives that help provide long-term food security for vulnerable populations.

Though Hispanic Heritage Month has come to a close, our celebration of the vibrant Hispanic and Latino communities continues year-round! One of the key organizations supporting Hispanic communities in Chester County is LCH Health and Community Services who has been a cornerstone for the Hispanic and Latino communities in Chester County for over 50 years, providing essential services like healthcare, social assistance, and education. Chester County Food Bank is proud to partner with LCH hosting recipe demonstrations to inspire healthy cooking and a provider for our Fruit & Vegetable Rx, enabling neighbors to receive fresh produce, helping to improve nutrition and overall health. Let’s carry forward the spirit by continuing to uplift the cultural richness. CCFB is committed to honoring and supporting our Hispanic and Latino neighbors beyond this month. Together with partners like LCH, we continue our mission of building a healthier, more inclusive community every day. Learn more about LCH and our partnership >> https://lnkd.in/eawhfSfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aunque el Mes de la Herencia Hispana ha llegado a su fin, ¡nuestra celebración de las vibrantes comunidades hispanas y latinas continúa durante todo el año! Una de las organizaciones clave que apoyan a las comunidades hispanas en el Condado de Chester es LCH Health and Community Services, que ha sido un pilar para las comunidades hispanas y latinas en el condado durante más de 50 años, proporcionando servicios esenciales como atención médica, asistencia social y educación. En el Chester County Food Bank, estamos orgullosos de asociarnos con LCH para organizar demostraciones de recetas que inspiran una cocina saludable y también de ser proveedores de nuestro programa Fruit & Vegetable Rx, lo que permite que nuestros vecinos reciban productos frescos para mejorar la nutrición y la salud general. Sigamos adelante con el espíritu de este mes, continuando con la celebración de la riqueza cultural. En CCFB, estamos comprometidos a honrar y apoyar a nuestros vecinos hispanos y latinos más allá de este mes. Junto con socios como LCH, continuamos nuestra misión de construir una comunidad más saludable e inclusiva cada día.

Did you know the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup will have its 90th running this year on Sunday, November 3rd? This historic event, blending tradition with philanthropy, offers more than an exhilarating steeplechase – it provides an opportunity to uplift our community. As a sanctioned National Steeplechase Association event, this race challenges horse and rider with a rigorous four-mile course, embodying a spirit of excellence. But beyond the competition, the real victory is the collective support they garner to fight hunger across Chester County. We are grateful for the generosity of everyone involved in this event and to the Hunt Cup organizers for selecting our mission to be part of their legacy. Get your tickets today or reserve your tailgate spot to get close to the action & support CCFB too! >> https://lnkd.in/gVTwQ4Tu

💚 It's World Mental Health Day 💚 This year’s theme, "Mental Health at Work," highlights the importance of creating supportive, healthy work environments. Everyone deserves the chance to feel confident and fulfilled at work, and that’s why we’re committed to breaking down the stigma around mental health. 🌟 If you're struggling or know someone who is, please ask for help. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is just a call or text away at 988. You can also connect with NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania for local resources and support. Let’s work together to build workplaces that lift us up, not bring us down. You matter! #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealth

Feeling that mid-afternoon slump and reaching for a snack? We’ve all been there! A healthy snack can provide the boost you need to stay focused. But for some families, budgeting for food can be a struggle — let alone having extra for snacks. 🥜🍎 Thanks to the team at ACR (AmerCareRoyal) for stepping up to purchase items and pack 250 snack bags as part of their Give Back Day. 🙌 These snacks ensure local kids have the fuel they need after school or on the weekends to stay focused and energized. Interested in hosting your own Snack Attack Packing or food drive? Check out our food drive toolkit to get started >> https://lnkd.in/esCgBseF

We are thankful for the support and enthusiasm shown to us and our partner network during September's Hunger Action Month. Together, we made a powerful impact in the fight against hunger! ✅ We kicked off the month with our Community Food Forum on September 10th sponsored by Aqua, where local leaders, community partners, and advocates gathered to discuss the latest data on Food Insecurity in Chester County. ✅ On September 17th, we gathered on the Historic Courthouse steps in West Chester to Rally Against Hunger. The event united the community to advocate for our neighbors facing hunger in our community and to ask that food security programs be properly funded. The rally was attended by elected officials, community partners, volunteers, and community members. ✅ Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Hunger Action Month Food Drive collected an incredible 11,921 pounds of food - surpassing our 10,000-pound goal! We are beyond grateful to everyone who participated, donated, or volunteered during Hunger Action Month. When a community unites, we can make lasting change. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger! 🧡Find out how you can continue to take action: https://lnkd.in/gHXA6Hz

⭐ Community Connections: Spotlight on Our Partners ⭐ Chester County Head Start, a program of the CCIU, makes a life-changing impact on children and families in our community. Head Start works to educate families to achieve sustainable and successful life skills built on values such as respect, honesty, determination, education, social awareness, and yes, even Fun! while serving over 475 children from economically disadvantaged families across 12 county locations. The Pre-K Counts Program further supports 100 families with six hours of daily educational services. Chester County Food Bank is proud to partner with Head Start to combat food insecurity and support healthy families. We've opened pantries at Gordon Elementary and most recently at the CCIU Early Discovery Center in West Chester, making it more convenient for families to access food without having to make extra trips to other pantry sites. #foodbank #chestercounty #communitypartner #chestercountyfoodbank Chester County Iu

Today we got to show Philabundance's Healthcare Partnerships Team the ropes at Chester County Food Bank's Fresh2You Mobile Market and share some tips and tricks we've learned over the last 9 years taking the bounty of Chester County produce on the road. This year, our market season will extend January-May, making the market a consistent access point for neighbors year-round, including patients who are enrolled in our Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program.

Chester County Food Bank is pleased to inform the community of updated eligibility requirements for Pennsylvania's State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). This program ensures access to nutritious food for Pennsylvania residents who meet certain income requirements, as determined by a Self-Declaration of Need form. As of August 16, 2024, significant changes to eligibility were enacted under Act 27 of 2024, the “Veterans’ Benefit Payment Exclusion. This act excludes 100% of a veteran’s service-connected disability benefit payment from being considered as income when determining eligibility for SFPP. Importantly, this exclusion also extends to an unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran, ensuring that any compensation or payment they are entitled to receive will not be counted as income. “Act 27 is a meaningful step in recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and their families,” said Nicholas Imbesi, MPA, Senior Manager, Advocacy & Government Relations for Chester County Food Bank. “By excluding service-connected disability payments from income calculations, we’re reducing barriers for those who have already given so much to our country.” Learn more how this new law and its impact for our veteran neighbors and their families. https://lnkd.in/gGArXWFF

We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Beth Fantine, CFO at Chester County Food Bank, and Anand Solanki, CFO at Citadel Credit Union and a CCFB Board Member, were honored with the Community Partnership Award at the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce 2024 Annual Dinner: The Power of Local! The night was full of 60s/70s Flower Power vibes, with incredible support from Representative Christopher Pielli (District 156) and County Commissioner Josh Maxwell A big congratulations also to Nancy Tuttle, recipient of the Harold Martin Leadership Award, and Jeremy Mueller, named Small Businessperson of the Year!