Lancaster County battles rising hunger as funding gaps widen in 2024

September is Hunger Action Month. And this year, it's more than a call. It's a warning.

Demand is up and support is down.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, school meal programs and senior nutrition programs provide essential support for working families, older citizens, military veterans and children.

Many of the people who depend on these federal programs are employed - sometimes in multiple jobs - yet still struggle to afford enough food. These programs aren't about encouraging dependency; they exist because wages and the cost of living don't always align. When lawmakers underfund these programs, the responsibility shifts to nonprofits, volunteers and already overburdened families. That's not sustainable - and it's a policy choice.

And that's what we're facing now.

Additionally, government cuts to critical U.S. Department of Agriculture programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program are making it harder for food banks and community organizations like ours to meet the growing demand. The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides surplus American-grown food that the USDA buys and distributes through food banks and pantries, while the now-shutdown Local Food Purchase Assistance program helped to build equitable local food systems by connecting farmers with hunger relief efforts. When such programs are reduced or eliminated, everyone loses: Local farmers lose income, families lose meals, and communities shoulder the rising costs of hunger.

Here in Pennsylvania, the State Food Purchase Program provides cash grants to counties for buying and distributing food to low-income individuals, and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System channels surplus products from local farmers to families in need. These programs supplement the critical work of food banks and pantries. But both are currently stalled due to the state budget impasse. Without state funding, food access across the commonwealth is at risk, just as more families are turning to us for help.

At Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, we're doing everything we can to meet today's need and anticipate tomorrow's demand. In 2024, Community Action Partnership assumed leadership for Hunger-Free Lancaster County, a coalition that brings community leaders together to tackle hunger head-on. Together, we're making resources go further and driving innovation - because hunger doesn't pause, and our solutions can't, either.

As a result of needs identified by its hunger mapping project, the coalition developed SNAP Blitz, an innovative solution that is breaking down barriers that prevent eligible households from getting the assistance they deserve. We know that for many, navigating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application process can be overwhelming or intimidating. That's why we bring enrollment directly into food pantries, with one-on-one support, to meet people where they are.

Community Action Partnership will continue ensuring families have access to vital government nutrition programs. We are Lancaster County's provider of the federal women, infants and children nutrition program, Head Start and senior centers that offer daily hot meals. We also serve food in our domestic violence shelters and distribute food through 40 partner pantries, while operating our own. We make healthy food a priority for our neighbors at every stage of life.

But supporting enrollment in government programs isn't enough. We're also working to strengthen and scale up our offerings at the food pantry at Crispus Attucks Community Center because the need isn't just growing, it's evolving. In 2026, we will be moving from a bimonthly pantry distribution to weekly. We're offering twice as many distribution days so more families can access healthy food more often.

Doing more takes more - more food, more volunteers and more financial support. In addition to more distribution options, we offer extended hours to serve working families and we're increasing culturally appropriate food options so that dignity and choice remain central to the experience.

During Hunger Action Month, we ask you to act with us not just in response to today's needs, but in preparation for tomorrow's by doing any of the following:

• Volunteer at a food pantry. We're looking for volunteers at Crispus Attucks pantry on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.

• Contact members of Congress and advocate for stronger federal food policy.

• Make a financial donation, if you can.

• And most importantly, talk about hunger. Remove the stigma. Raise your voice.

Because hunger is solvable only if we stop treating it like someone else's problem.

Meeting today's need is urgent. Preparing for tomorrow's demand is essential. And together, we can do both.

Vanessa Philbert is the CEO and Julie Rhoads is vice president of health and nutrition at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County.

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