Smart Talk: Food insecurity during the pandemic

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

Kris Jaeger with Broad Street Ministry distributes food as part of a new initiative called Step Up to the Plate, during a rainstorm outside of City Hall in Philadelphia, Monday, April 13, 2020. The program aims to help those with food insecurity and is a partnership of Broad Street Ministry, Prevention Point Philadelphia, and Project HOME, with the City of Philadelphia.

There are more people and families who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s not surprising since so many lost their jobs and income.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is making food available to about 40-thousand more people each month than before the pandemic. All told, the Food Bank is providing meals to more than 200,000 Central Pennsylvanians each month.

Thursday is a special day on WITF and an important day, as well. Every November with the holidays and cold weather looming, WITF is on the air with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank for one day to raise money that goes toward feeding families.

It is important every year but maybe even more significant in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new partner this year – Weis Markets – is an essential part of this effort, as well.

Appearing on Thursday’s Smart Talk are Joe Arthur, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Ron Bonacci, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations, Weis Markets, and Food Bank Volunteer Elizabeth Fagan.

The Associated Press and WITF’s democracy reporter Jordan Wilkie are partnering to tell stories about how Pennsylvania elections work, and to debunk misinformation surrounding elections. 

Read the stories here