A new report released by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank paints a detailed picture of food insecurity in Adams County — and offers a roadmap for how the community can work together to address it.
The “Adams County Community Hunger Mapping” project, presented this week by the Food Bank’s research and policy team, found that nearly one in nine Adams County residents — about 12,000 people — face food insecurity, including more than 3,000 children. The findings were based on surveys of pantry users and staff, interviews, site visits, and analysis of state and federal data.
The study highlights both the strength of the local charitable food network and the challenges that continue to limit access to healthy, reliable meals.
Among the positive findings: the county’s network of food pantries is geographically well distributed, wait times are short, and most clients report being treated with dignity. Ninety-one percent of food-insecure residents live within reach of a “choice pantry,” where visitors can select their own items, and about 60 percent said they usually find the foods they need.
Regular use of food pantries also appears to reduce hunger severity. Households that visit pantries more than once a month report significantly lower levels of “very low food security” than those who visit less often.
But barriers remain. The report found that no Adams County pantries offer weekend hours, and many restrict how often families can visit. Although most residents can reach a pantry within 15 minutes, only about half have access to more than one monthly distribution once visit-limit rules are considered.
Funding is another concern. Coordinators said it’s becoming harder to meet growing demand amid rising food costs and reduced federal nutrition assistance. A recent emergency response from the Adams County Community Foundation is helping with a short-term solution.
The study also pointed to low participation in government programs that could ease the strain. Adams County ranks 58th of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), even though most pantry users appear to qualify. Many families, the report notes, don’t apply because they mistakenly believe they’re ineligible.
School nutrition access is another gap: only about a quarter of local students take part in school breakfast programs, and there were just two summer meal sites operating in Gettysburg this year.
The hunger mapping effort also explored the broader forces driving food insecurity. Many food-insecure households include full-time workers earning less than $36,000 a year. Others rely on disability or Social Security income and face high housing or utility costs. More than half of surveyed households included someone with a diet-related health condition such as diabetes or hypertension.
To confront these issues, the Food Bank recommended three major strategies: expanding pantry hours and visit flexibility; increasing SNAP, WIC, and school meal participation; and addressing underlying causes such as low wages, housing instability, and health challenges.
“The data show that hunger in Adams County isn’t just about food — it’s about access, opportunity, and community resilience,” said Food Bank policy staff. “The solutions will take all of us working together.”
The full Adams County Hunger Mapping Report is available at centralpafoodbank.org/take-action/policy-research/adams-hunger-mapping.
How to Help
Here are several food-insecurity relief organizations in Adams County, PA (or serving it) where you can donate food, funds, or volunteer — with their contact details and websites:
You can donate to SCCAP (South Central Community Action Programs) in Gettysburg. Their main office is at 153 N. Stratton Street, Gettysburg, PA. Phone: 717-334-7634. Their Gettysburg Food Pantry is located at the rear of that address; you can reach that pantry at (717) 334-7634 ext. 1121. SCCAP handles multiple food pantries and is also involved with The Gleaning Project. Their website is sccap.org. (SCCAP)
The Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen accepts in-kind food, supplies, and monetary donations. Their address is 22 W. High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, and their phone is 717-334-2773. They post a “Wish List” on their website for priority items. Their website is gettysburgsoupkitchen.org. (website)
New Hope Ministries (which supports mobile pantries and local food distribution) is another option. Their contact phone is 717-432-2087. Their website is nhm-pa.org. They partner with mobile pantry locations throughout Adams County (e.g. at New Oxford, Abbottstown, East Berlin).
If you live in or near Biglerville / Upper Adams School District, the Upper Adams Food Pantry (Centenary United Methodist Church, Biglerville) accepts donations and serves residents of that school district. Their phone is 717-262-8960. Their webpage is on the Upper Adams site: upperadams.org.
You might also consider supporting the Adams County Shelter for the Homeless, located at 151 N. Stratton St., Gettysburg, PA. Phone: 717-337-2413.
Additionally, for mobile and partner pantry sites, there are contact numbers listed via the Adams County Food Policy / Food Pantries & Distribution directory. For example:
- New Oxford Pantry: 154 Enterprise Dr, New Oxford; phone 717-624-4700
- Fairfield Pantry: Fairfield Mennonite Church, phone 717-642-8936
- Abbottstown Mobile Pantry (at St. John’s Lutheran Church): contact 717-432-2087 ext. 704
- East Berlin Mobile Pantry: Trinity Lutheran Church, with contact 717-432-2087 ext. 704
- Littlestown Pantry: 1113 Frederick Pike, Littlestown; phone 717-848-0885