According to the USDA Household Food Security Report (September 2024) in 2023, 47.4 million people lived in households experiencing food insecurity, an increase of 3.2 million compared to 2022 and 13.5 million compared to 2021. Much of this was driven by inflation and the rollback of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts that had boosted SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, allowed schools to offer free meals to students at no charge and expanded the Child Tax Credits. This translates into about 1 in 7 households struggling with hunger.
Locally, there has been a staggering 77% increase in demand for the food bank’s services from last year. At Grace we have seen an increase in families coming to our food distributions from below 100 to a high of about 180. Some have reported inflation and a decrease in SNAP benefits really impacting their ability to feed their families.
Learn More
Twice-monthly drive-through food distribution at church
Emergency food
Donations to State College Food Bank
March Madness Food Collection
Alternative Easter Giving for Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Concert to Benefit the State College Food Bank
Back to the Future: Music that Changed the World
June 5 at 7:00 at Grace Lutheran Church
Collecting food and monetary donations
Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801 (814) 238-2478
Church Office Hours8am-3 pm Mon-Thurs 8-Noon Friday (September 1- May 31) 8-Noon Mon-Friday (June1-August 31)