Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank is asking Berks and Schuylkill countians to help fight hunger in their communities in September, designated as Hunger Action Month.
The rising cost of groceries and energy continue to strain household budgets, forcing some to choose between paying rent, affording essential medicine, or putting food on the table, officials said in their announcement of the initiative.
An increasing number of Pennsylvanians are turning to food pantries to help bridge the gap, organization officials said. According to the latest data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, more than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 500,000 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest level since 2014.
In Berks and Schuylkilll, 14.4% and 14.9% percent of people, respectively, have experienced food insecurity this year, officials said. That means roughly 1 in 7 people — including nearly 25,000 children — are unsure where their next meal is coming from.
Helping Harvest recently reported that, along with its partner agencies, it distributed 12,483,834 pounds of food valued at more than $22 million during fiscal year 2026 in Berks and Schuylkill. The figure represents a 21.8% increase over the prior fiscal year.
Officials said they don’t expect the demand to subside this year.
“Hunger in our community is real, and it’s growing — but so is our resolve to meet it,” Helping Harvest President Jay Worrall said. “This September, we’re asking our neighbors in Berks and Schuylkill counties to play their part.
“We are on pace to distribute 14 million pounds of food by the end of the year — and that is because of people who show up, give generously, and refuse to look away. Hunger is a solvable problem, and together, we can solve it.”
The food bank, which is joining with Feeding Pennsylvania and the nationwide Feeding America network in the effort, offered these ways to help:
• Make a gift at helpingharvest.org/donate/
• Sign up to volunteer at helpingharvest.org/volunteer/ and give your time where it’s needed most.
• Wear orange, encourage an orange day at your workplace or school to raise awareness for hunger and funds for Helping Harvest.
• Round up your grocery bill at any Giant store through Dec. 31 for proceeds to benefit Helping Harvest.
• Dine and donate at Chipotle, 2733 Papermill Road, Spring Township, on Sept. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. Use code fw7xfnr at checkout for mobile pickup orders or email marketing@helpingharvest.org to request a fundraiser flyer.
• Get your car washed at Luxe Car Wash, 2232 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, on Sept. 26 to benefit the food bank.
• Donate items to CommunityAid, 5370 Allentown Pike, Temple. Mention Helping Harvest’s partner number 50178 when you drop off your donations to benefit the food bank.