County proclaims September Hunger Action Month after Food Bank presents local hunger data

Centre County commissioners on Thursday adopted Proclamation 46 designating September as Hunger Action Month in the county after a presentation from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

"That means nearly 20,000 folks who who face food insecurity across this county including more than 3,500 children," said Zach Sook, chief strategy officer at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, summarizing the food bank's county-level findings. Sook told the board the group's localized research shows the Centre County Charitable Food Network reduces experiences of hunger by roughly 48% among people who use the network and that child food insecurity in the county is 15.4 percent.

Sook said his group will release a full community hunger-mapping report on Oct. 22 in Bellefonte and invited commissioners and the public to attend. He also attributed a recent drop in SNAP participation — which he said fell about 12.8% in the county over the prior year — to several factors and urged continued outreach and partnerships to enroll eligible residents.

County leaders and nonprofit partners emphasized the importance of fresh-food access and nutrition education. "We have nutrition educators on staff, who work with local food pantries to promote healthy pantry environments," Sook said, noting the food bank's emphasis on produce and basic staples.

The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote. Commissioners encouraged residents to support local pantries and noted county programs that help distribute food and purchase supplies for nonprofit partners.