Harrisburg Area Food Pantry Executive Director Deidre Lenker packs bags for clients. File photo.
Two community organizations are teaming up to address food insecurity.
The Harrisburg Area YMCA’s Camp Curtin Branch announced on Friday that it would serve as the new home for the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry (HAFP).
Beginning on Feb. 5, the pantry, formerly called The Ecumenical Food Pantry, will operate at the Y’s N. 6th Street location, offering food assistance to those in need.
The pantry, which was previously located at Messiah Lutheran Church, has operated for over 51 years, currently serving over 3,400 clients monthly.
“The Board, volunteers and I are very excited to create a welcoming space for anyone needing food assistance,” said Deidre Lenker, the pantry’s executive director, in a statement. “We are grateful to the YMCA for providing this opportunity. We thank our many community supporters including a variety of community groups, faith-based organizations, foundations and individuals who have supported us through donations and volunteering over the years. With your support we can continue to meet this most basic human need.”
According to the Y, the HAFP is one of the largest food pantries in Dauphin County in terms of the volume of people served and it provides access to emergency food assistance at least five days per week. Clients may receive an emergency supply of food around every 30 days, and no vouchers or appointments are necessary.
The move will allow HAFP to serve the community in new ways, with access to parking, increased accessibility and a built-in collaboration with the YMCA, the Y shared.
According to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank data, Dauphin County has a food insecurity rate of 11.4%, representing 31,330 people.
“As an organization committed to healthy living, the YMCA’s collaboration with the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry allows our organizations to assist our community in providing nutrition and food security,” said Richard Utley, chair of the Camp Curtin YMCA’s board of managers. “We’re very excited to welcome the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry to our neighborhood.”
The organizations will hold a ribbon-cutting event at the Camp Curtin YMCA on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.
For more information about the Camp Curtin YMCA, visit their website. To learn more about the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry, visit their website.
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