Five years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down, the State College Food Bank didn’t close for a single day. Even as supply chains collapsed and safety concerns surged, the organization adapted on the fly—reshaping its model and meeting an unprecedented demand for food assistance. It was your generosity in 2020 that made that resilience possible.
But today, the need is greater—and the support system is weaker.
According to a recent Centre Daily Times article, the Trump administration is eliminating two USDA food programs, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, a move that threatens to disrupt the fresh food supply many local food banks rely on. While the State College Food Bank doesn’t receive direct USDA funding, Executive Director Allayn Beck warns of a ripple effect across Centre County.
“When the (LFPA) program ceases to exist, the current options for fresh and local produce, dairy, meats — they’re just not going to be available anymore,” Beck said. “That effect is going to trickle down to any pantry purchasing local foods.”
The challenges are mounting. In 2024, the food bank served a record number of families. Meanwhile, food prices have surged nearly 19% since the pandemic began. Even operating costs like electricity for refrigeration are up sharply. And unlike many organizations, the State College Food Bank receives no government funding—it relies entirely on community donations.
In a heartfelt letter, the food bank team writes, “We haven’t heard from you since 2020. Today, we need you again. Every gift—big or small—helps ensure that no one in our community goes without food.”
The need is urgent. As inflation bites and federal supports vanish, more local families will turn to the food bank not as a last resort—but as their only option.
In 2020, you showed up. Let’s do it again—this time with even more resolve. Support the State College Food Bank on May 14-15 during Centre Gives or better yet…
