$2.07 million awarded to food banks, pantries and soup kitchens, SCMFB is one

More than $2.07 million has been awarded to 57 food banks, pantries, shelters and soup kitchens across Pennsylvania through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants.

“Pennsylvania enjoys an incredible bounty of natural resources and generous communities willing to help feed those in need,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture press release. “Expanding the capacity of community organizations to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is a key element of Shapiro Administration’s strategy to invest in a healthier, more secure Pennsylvania.”

More: Mobile food bank launches capital campaign

TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants are being awarded to organizations distributing USDA Foods through TEFAP contracts with the state, county, or a county-designated Lead Agency, the press release said. Funded projects include mobile food pantries, expanded cold storage and warehouse space, delivery vehicles, and other investments that expand TEFAP’s reach into isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities.

Somerset County Mobile Food Bank will receive $50,000.

"SCMFB has been blessed with the recent announcement of the award from The Emergency Food Assistance Program Reach and Resiliency grants," said Benjamin Tawney, executive director of Somerset County Mobile Food Bank, in a press release. "These funds, like all funds for the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank, will help SCMFB continue its mission of serving those in need of food assistance throughout Somerset County. Currently, SCMFB is averaging 1,750 households served each month at their 12 distributions."

More: United Way of the Southern Alleghenies sponsoring 3rd annual diapers drive

The $50,000 awarded funds will be used for two projects, Tawney said.

"First, SCMFB warehouse cooler is in need of panels for their walk-in cooler," he said. "A large portion of this grant will be used to purchase insulated cooler panels to improve the condition, efficiency, and longevity of the 40-foot by 35-foot cooler that houses all the fresh produce that goes through the warehouse doors."

Tawney said an estimated 400,000 pounds of produce goes in and out of this cooler annually providing fresh produce options to those served by the mobile food bank.

The remaining funds will be used for packaging.

"Over the last few years SCMFB packaging costs have well over doubled with operation changes," Tawney said. "In order to be able to continue the operation as it currently is, we needed help funding the packaging side of it. These funds will be extremely welcomed to help provide essential packaging needs so the operation does not miss a beat."

More: Solar energy facility coming to Garrett

This is the second round of TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants. In September 2023, Pennsylvania awarded $1.6 million to 39 organizations working to reduce food insecurity across the state. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report, in 2022, 11.9% of Pennsylvanians, more than 1.5 million people, did not know the source of their next meal.

"SCMFB would like to thank The Emergency Food Assistance Program for making these projects become a reality and also Aspire Grants in their grant writing efforts," Tawney said.

Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 37 years, covering school boards and borough councils. She was the Home and Family editor for 20 years, and was the primary editor and reporter for a variety of special projects, features and tabs.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Grants awarded to state food banks and SCMFB is one.