Feeding the Future: How Schools and Community Partners are Combating Child Hunger in Somerset County

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has recognized the extraordinary efforts of schools and community organizations in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, through its Child Hunger Hero Award Program (CHH). These unsung heroes have gone above and beyond to ensure that children in their communities have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive.

Empowering the Next Generation: Schools and Community Partners Tackle Child Hunger

Recognizing the Trailblazers: Silver and Bronze Award Winners

The CHH award program has shone a spotlight on the remarkable work being done by three Somerset County organizations. Silver award winners Camp Harmony and Movement Collective have been lauded for their innovative approaches to feeding children, while the Shade-Central City School District has been honored with a bronze award for its dedication to providing nutritious meals.

Feeding the Hungry: Camp Harmony's Commitment to Expanding Meal Sites

Camp Harmony, a silver award winner, has demonstrated a relentless commitment to expanding its meal service sites. As sponsor Janice Kaltenbaugh explained, "We are constantly looking at places to offer new sites. If one site decreases in number, another site opens at a different place." This dedication to ensuring that no child goes hungry is a testament to the organization's unwavering mission.

Nourishing the Community: Movement Collective's Innovative Meal Delivery

Movement Collective, another silver award winner, has taken a unique approach to feeding children in Somerset County. Sponsor Mardi Vincent described the organization's efforts, "This year, we operated seven rural non-congregate meal sites throughout Somerset County. We provided 14 grab-and-go meals weekly to children (seven breakfast and seven lunch). Our goal was to provide as much food from local vendors as possible." By partnering with local businesses and leveraging the summer youth employment program, Movement Collective has created a sustainable model for delivering nutritious meals to children in need.

Scratch-Cooking for Healthier Meals: Shade-Central City School District's Approach

The Shade-Central City School District, a bronze award winner, has focused on providing nutritious and filling meals to its students. As sponsor Tammy Hutchinson explained, "We are a small district, so we don't have a lot of extra options for food service types and multiple food choices. We do our best to ensure the students are getting a nutritious yet filling breakfast and lunch. We do a lot of scratch cooking hoping to get a better response." By engaging with students and incorporating their feedback, the district has been able to create meals that not only nourish but also appeal to the palates of the children they serve.

Expanding the Reach: Diverse Programs Supported by the Child Hunger Hero Award

The Child Hunger Hero Award Program has recognized the efforts of schools and community organizations that have gone beyond the traditional school meal programs. This year, the award winners included:- 34 schools and community organizations that provided food for children to take home through backpack programs or school pantries- 26 organizations that sponsored summer meals, ensuring children had access to nutritious food during the summer months- 14 organizations that sponsored after-school meals, providing snacks and/or dinner to students alongside after-school programming- 24 school districts that are part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), making free school breakfast and lunch available to all studentsThese diverse programs demonstrate the multifaceted approach being taken to address child hunger in Somerset County, with schools and community partners working together to ensure that no child is left behind.