(From left)Downtown Daily Bread Chef Mieshia Jackson, Pastor Trey DuPont, Mayor Wanda Williams, DDB Executive Director Corrie Lingenfelter, Central PA Food Bank Executive Director Joe Arthur and Dauphin County Commissioners Justin Douglas and George Hartwick inside the food pantry.
A Harrisburg organization hopes that its new service will make a difference when it comes to food insecurity.
Downtown Daily Bread cut the ribbon on its Renewed Hope Food Pantry at a ceremony on Monday, with officials sharing that the service will fill an important need for local families.
“We were getting so many calls from families who just couldn’t make ends meet,” DDB Executive Director Corrie Lingenfelter said. “They [said], “What should we pay; should we pay the light bill or get groceries? That’s why we’re here because we want you to be able to do both.”
The Harrisburg nonprofit, located on the 200-block of South Street, already provided breakfast, lunch, year-round day shelter, winter overnight shelter, showers, mailboxes and other assistance to those in need. However, Mieshia Jackson, head chef at DDB, said that she came up with the idea to add a pantry to serve clients who may not feel comfortable coming in for hot meals, but need grocery assistance.
Renewed Hope Food Pantry
“I want everyone to feel that there are services here for everyone,” Jackson said. “They’re able to pick what their family wants. I wanted to make sure there’s food that everyone likes; there’s brand names; there’s nutritious things and produce—things that everyone needs for a good, balanced meal.”
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will help stock the pantry, which is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. DDB is accepting walk-ins for now, but hopes to have an online registration system in the future. Visitors will be able to choose from a selection of food items, with staff assistance.
“I guess it’s not enough that you’re serving over 160 unique people each day meals […] but now, finding a way to serve additional neighbors that are struggling to feed themselves and their family, who maybe aren’t the typical clients you think of who come to Downtown Daily Bread—I’m just in awe,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central PA Food Bank.
DDB Chef Mieshia Jackson cut the ribbon on the food pantry.
Additionally, DDB officials have said that they may be soon expanding to offer year-round overnight shelter, as Harrisburg may provide funding. City officials shared last week that they plan to give $1 million of the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to DDB and Christian Churches United of the Tri County Area to support year-round shelter.
DDB is still in the planning phase for the possible expansion, but hopes to open overnight shelter in the fall, Lingenfelter said.
Downtown Daily Bread is located at 234 South St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.
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