WESTMORELAND COUNTY FOOD BANK INC

In 2023, Westmoreland Food Bank served an average of 20,000 individuals with a 7-10 day supply of food each month. 6.3 million pounds of food were distributed.

18,975 (duplicated) food bank volunteers contributed a total of 66,713 hours of their time in 2023. This equates to the work load of 32 full-time employees.

State Food Purchase Program: A state funded program administered by the PA Department of Agriculture. Westmoreland Food Bank is the lead agency designated by the County. Income eligibility at or below 185% of poverty level.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): A federally funded program administered by the PA Department of Agriculture. Westmoreland Food Bank is the designated lead agency for this program as well. Income eligibility at or below 185% of poverty level.

Food Pantry Distribution Program: The core of Westmoreland Food Bank's work is to acquire food and household necessities and to distribute it to needy people throughout Westmoreland County. This is done through a network of member agencies comprised primarily of volunteer-run, faith based organizations. While a number of our member agencies are soup kitchens and other on-site feeding programs, the majority of the Food Bank's member agencies are emergency food pantries that make up our Food Pantry Distribution Program.

Each month, the Food Bank delivers food and household necessities to emergency pantries in refrigerated trucks. The pantries then distribute the food to their income-eligible constituents. In order to meet income eligibility requirements, family income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. During 2023, the Food Bank distributed over 6.3 million pounds of food and household necessities. Each month, through our Programs, approximately 30,000 people in nearly 10,000 families throughout Westmoreland County receive food assistance.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): A federally funded program administered by the PA Department Agriculture. Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, a State Association comprised of Food Banks throughout the Commonwealth, partners with the Food Bank to distribute the boxes. Income eligibility is at or below 130% of poverty level.
In 2023, over 1,500 low-income seniors throughout the County received a monthly box of nutritious food.

Summer Meals Program: A Food Bank funded program aims to serve over 500 children per day through the 2024 program cycle.

The Fresh Express program provides perishable food (frozen, dairy products, and fresh produce) directly distributed to needy families by Food Bank staff and volunteers at sites throughout Westmoreland County.

The Food Bank also operates programs such as the Weekend Backpack Program at 19 schools throughout the County. This program provides two snacks, two breakfasts and two lunches to eligible children for the weekend. This program is highly effective in keeping children's grades up and are able to live sustained lives.

We also offer the Military Share program to active military families and Veterans who are in need of a hand up. We are very proud of the work that we do with this program even though it has no steady funding stream.

Our newest program is the Mobile Market. We have established this program to visit college sites, low income housing areas and senior centers to provide fresh produce to those areas. It is our intention when colleges are closed for the summer that the Mobile Market will visit the Summer Meals sites to provide fresh product for children and their families.