Across Pennsylvania, hunger remains a pressing challenge. Statewide, one in eight people—and one in six children—are food insecure. Here in Adams County, the numbers are just as alarming: one in nine residents and one in seven children face uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.
According to Feeding America, food insecurity has worsened dramatically in recent years, increasing by 40% over the past two years. This staggering statistic underscores the growing needs of our communities and the critical role of the charitable food network.
Despite shrinking resources, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other hunger-relief organizations continue to rise to the challenge. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Community Hunger Mapping report shows that charitable food providers can cut the most severe form of hunger—very low food security—by as much as 50%. These efforts make a measurable impact, yet the challenges remain great and are often unseen by those outside the network.
This past September, during Hunger Action Month, the Adams County Food Policy Council (ACFPC) worked to shine a light on both the urgent need and the tireless work being done to address hunger.
Thanks to funding from the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation and our invaluable partnerships with Kennie’s, the Adams County Farmers Market, and more, the ACFPC supports a variety of healthy food access programs. Fruit & Veggie Bucks and Double Dollars both aim to stretch SNAP benefits by providing a 50% discount on produce at Kennie’s and by doubling SNAP redemption at the Farmers Market. Double Dollars also applies to Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks redeemed at the Farmers Market. Received by WIC recipients and seniors, these checks—along with the matching funds spent via tokens—help some of Adams County’s most vulnerable residents access fresh, local produce. Our Healthy Options program supports families who make just over the threshold to qualify for SNAP, helping them access fresh fruits and vegetables at Kennie’s for half of the year and at the Farmers Market for the other half.
Our school districts and local organizations are also doing their part to make sure the youth in our county are fed. Over 47% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. But children can’t learn on an empty stomach. The addition of universal free breakfast in the 2023-24 state budget has helped many children start their days with full bellies. Backpack programs, like Ruth’s Harvest and John’s Meals, ensure these children don’t go hungry over the weekend.
These programs are crucial, as is the work of other ACFPC member organizations. Between the Food Pantry and Gleaning Project at South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), over 4,000 individuals are served monthly—a number that has been steadily rising, with about 65 new individuals added each month in 2025. New Hope Ministries serves 713 families—a total of 2,289 individuals—across its eight locations (including mobile pantries). In addition to the SCCAP and New Hope pantries, there are five other church-based food pantries operating in Adams County, providing even greater access for our food-insecure neighbors.
But who are these food-insecure neighbors?
You might assume they are unemployed, reliant on benefits like SNAP, or simply unwilling to work. However, the reality is quite different. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Hunger Mapping data revealed that only 49% of surveyed pantry visitors receive SNAP benefits. The same data showed that among all surveyed pantry visitors:
- 38% receive their income from Social Security or a pension.
- 29% are working full-time.
- 19% rely on SSI or disability.
- 6% work part-time.
- Only 7% reported no income.
Of the 29% who are working full-time, one-third earn less than $24,000 per year.
If these numbers are shocking and you’re wondering, “What can I do about this?” I have good news: there’s a lot you can do!
You can:
- Donate your time, talents, goods, or money to any of our network members.
- Help break the stigma around food assistance by speaking positively about pantry visitors and countering misinformation.
- Call your representatives to let them know how the budget impasse is impacting pantries or to advocate for other legislation that will serve our food-insecure neighbors.
Together, we can raise awareness, strengthen support, and take meaningful steps toward a future where no one in our community has to wonder where their next meal will come from.