Second Harvest Food Bank got a boost in support and funds thanks to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield ahead of the holiday season to help those struggling to put food on the table.
Food insecurity is a reality for many people in our region. There’s numerous programs through Second Harvest Food Bank that help children, adults, and families and this new initiative (Un) Hungry will help them even more.
Karl McFadden, the Regional Vice President of Sales for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield explained, “This is about elevating the awareness and making sure people understand that the need is real and we can all pitch in as a community to really help our neighbors.”
The (Un) Hungry initiative through Highmark will help Second Harvest Food Bank. Not only will this new initiative help fill the warehouse with lots of food, but it will help with numerous programs.
Greg Hall, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank said, “The money raised from this program will be directly used to support our programs and help our neighbors in need and our programs like our Backpack Program and our Military Share Program and directly have an impact on your neighbors in need.”
It will also help with a Healthy Pantry program at AHN Saint Vincent. Dr. Chris Clark, the President of AHN Saint Vincent said, “Patients that are identified as food insecure or that could benefit from our services, they are referred to our healthy food center by our providers.”
It’s another partnership that the Second Harvest Food Bank is proud to see continue. According to Hall, “They have a Healthy Pantry initiative there as well and we have partner with them. Their program is fantastic, they have a garden. They really have embraced as we try to push as many fresh, nutritious foods to our neighbors in need. AHN has been a fantastic partner in developing those programs.”
The Second Harvest Food Bank is always looking for community support whether it’s through volunteering, food donations, or monetary donations. People can also help them by donating to the Erie News Now Food Drive on Wednesday.