Joe Arthur, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food bank, and Dennis Curtin, Director of PR for Weis Markets joined us on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss the hunger crisis in Central Pennsylvania, its impact and what people can do to help.
Congress did not extend United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service authority to allow all students to eat school meals free of charge this school year, a choice that will effect around ten million children this school year, according to Forbes.
The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Education are reminding students and caretakers that they can get access to nutritious meals beyond their last day of the school year.
Pennsylvania families should begin receiving benefits next month to make up for missed school meals related to COVID-19 closures this school year.
More than 1,891,000 Pennsylvanians are now enrolled in the state’s food stamp program; approaching the record-setting enrollment levels of the early months of the pandemic.
WITF is on the air with the central Pennsylvania Food bank for one day to raise money that goes toward feeding families.
By Scott LaMar As Pennsylvania’s executive director of advocacy and reform, Dan Jurman looks out for vulnerable populations in the state — a job that has been personal from day one. His childhood included homelessness, food insecurity, family substance abuse, and other adverse experiences.
Jurman recognizes that people helped him along the way. He says others who experience adversity as children need that help too.
By Keira McGuire 
