BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – It’s “National Pennsylvania Day,” and this year, many in the Commonwealth are celebrating by giving back.
The theme for Pa. Day this year is ‘Pennsylvanians Helping Pennsylvanians’ through acts of service, focusing primarily on food insecurity.
Several volunteers celebrated today by pitching in at the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen in Reading.
“For us, it’s really a day to celebrate volunteerism, which is something we rely on so much at the food bank,” says Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank.
“We may use more than 100 volunteers in a single day just with our food bank [and] all of the partners that we distribute food to; they all rely on volunteers also,” Worrall added.
State Senator Judy Schwank, who helped at the food bank warehouse in Spring Township, says it’s important to get a firsthand perspective.
“I’m a member of the Hunger Caucus, so twice a year we gather to talk about how we can help support food insecurity for folks throughout the Commonwealth,’ says Schwank.
“It helps to actually do the job, rather than standing in front of a microphone. Actually, see what needs to be done to make sure people can get fed,” she said.
Additionally, the Heritage at Green Hills in Cumru Township hosted a collection drive.
“It’s fun,” says Kathie Holm, a member of Green Hills Heritage Resident Benefit Council. “It brings us together as a community while helping the greater community,” she said.
Several bags of items, including clothes, shoes, toiletries, and food were collected at the Heritage to donate to organizations throughout the county.
“It does us good as senior citizens that we give back,” says a resident dressed as the female version of ‘Uncle Sam’.