Sitting down for a bountiful Thanksgiving meal is the right time to think about hunger.

Not the kind of hunger from a stomach rumbling within those awaiting the turkey dinner to be served, but rather the real crisis of food insecurity that hundreds of families in Greater Williamsport endure on a regular basis.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is seeing an all-time high demand for service, as inflation persists, leading to more hunger and driving up activity at food pantries and agencies not seen in the great recession in 2008-2009 or pandemic starting in 2020.

Their mission remains a commitment to end food insecurity for people suffering in 27 counties in central and north central Pennsylvania.

A glum reality check

“We are seeing high numbers for demand and level of service not seen in the great recession and the pandemic,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg and Williamsport.

“We’re super busy, especially during the holidays,” he said.

Each year, the ingredients to make a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal – depending on family size – continues to increase from a starting range of $50 on up, but because of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank there is hope for those in need of these meals and of receiving daily sustenance throughout the year.

“We are consistently serving over 250,000 people each month,” Arthur said of the enormity of the task.

“It has reached a level we did not reach during the pandemic or the recession in 2009.”

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is able to do so with a dedicated staff, volunteers and generous donations. The biggest way to get the food to the hungry is through networking with about 1,100 local agencies and programs, serving people in need, which doesn’t always mean the destitute or homeless.

As an example, in the city of Williamsport, one of the largest partners in distributing food has been the American Rescue Workers on Elmira Street.

Just to show the trend depicting the level of need, the American Rescue Workers facility in 2022 distributed food to 700 families. That was as the nation was coming out of the worst of the pandemic years.

In 2023, they served 1,000 families and, this year, they are expecting to serve 1,200 families, Arthur said.

It is a similar theme to what the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has been seeing across its 27-county service territory, he said.

The food bank provides fresh, non-perishable and nutritious food and dairy products and sources its products from area farms and orchards.

How to get help

Arthur stressed what is most important is how people can get actual help.

“We point people to our website – centralpafoodbank.org.”

The website is constantly updated and provides real time data linking those in need with helpers and staff.

Among the most valuable features on the website is a tab on the right called “Find Help.”

By clicking on that, the user can just put down a zip code that will pop up the closest location for food distribution, with the address, telephone, hours and dates, and information regularly reviewed and updated by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank team.

The site offers a Helpline for immediate assistance and also programs such as SNAP for families with children.

“Our team will do the applications for those applying for SNAP,” which is a federal government program administered through the state.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank website has a location in which to donate.

This time of year is important to let those who care and have the ability to give to know there is an elevating hunger crisis that doesn’t end with the holidays.

The hunger crisis goes into winter and heating fuel season.

As he spoke, the American Rescue Workers staff and volunteers were set to feed hundreds of folks with a nutritious and turkey dinner with all the sides. This is at the facility at 643 Elmira St. It is a drive through or walk up.

The traditional day of giving continues right before Christmas on Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the ARW holds its annual Holiday Food Distribution at the drive-up location 337 Bridge St. and then a community Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility at 643 Elmira St.