Backpack Program
Students enrolled in the Backpack Program receive a backpack full of food each Friday (or the last day of school for the week) during the school year. Learn more or enroll a child by clicking on one of the documents below. For more information, contact Mel Curtis at [email protected]
Serving These School Districts
- Bald Eagle
- Philipsburg-Osceola
- Clearfield Area
- Bellefonte Area
- West Branch
- Cen Clear
- Penns Valley Area
- State College Area
- Moshannon Valley
- Soaring Heights School
- Young Scholars School
- Liberty Curtin Elementary
Food Distributions and Delivery
Fresh Express Food Distribution Locations
- Centre Hall – Progress Grange Fresh Express
- 1st Wednesday of every month at 1:30 PM
- Located at 217 S. Pennsylvania Ave in Centre Hall
- Philipsburg – Fresh Express
- 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Time depends on truck delivery – always in the morning.
- Located at the Chester Hill Fire Company on Walton Street in Philipsburg
- Snow Shoe – Fresh Express
- 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 12:00 PM
- Located at 268 Oldside Road in Clarence
- Houtzdale – Fresh Express
- 1st Thursday of every month at 4:00 PM
- Located at St. Barbara’s Church on 76 Emery Ave in Houtzdale
- Wingate – Fresh Express
- 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 5:00 PM
- Located at Bald Eagle Valley UMC on 111 Runville Road
- Howard – Fresh Express
- 1st Thursday and 3rd Friday of every month at 5:00 PM
- Located at Howard United Methodist Church on 144 W. Main Street in Howard
Other Food Distribution Locations
- Bigler YMCA
- 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at 1:00 PM
- Halfmoon Christian Fellowship Church
- 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 3:15 PM
- Located at 1776 Halfmoon Valley Road in Port Matilda
- Clearfield VFW – Veteran’s Distribution
- 1st Wednesday of every month at 4:00 PM
- Philipsburg – Enterprise Drive
- 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at 10:00 AM
- Located at 141 Enterprise Drive in Philipsburg
- Palestine UMC
- 3rd Saturday of every month at 10:00 AM
- Located on Schoonover Road
- Grace Lutheran Church
- 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Located at 205 S. Garner Street in State College
- St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellefonte
- 4th Friday of every month at 4:30 PM
- Smithmill VFW
- 1st Wednesday of every month at 4:30 PM
- Bellefonte YMCA
- 2nd Friday of every month at 12:00 PM
- Clearfield Drive-In Park
- 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:00 PM
Food Delivery – Ripken Project
Through several partnerships, we are occasionally able to provide food delivery service to shut-ins and those that don’t have transportation to one of our sites. To receive this assistance, please contact Mel Curtis at [email protected] or 814-342-0889.
During these unprecedented times, we have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. We can do this by following the example of family pets. Pets (one of which this program was named after) are always there when we need them, and many people are in need of this type of support right now.
Through the Ripken Project, you can take 30 minutes of your day and volunteer to deliver boxed food to those who are unable to travel to our distribution sites. You can volunteer as frequently as you are able, and you can simply drop off the boxed food at the door to avoid physical contact.
We need people in all communities to assist with this project. If you would like more information, please contact Mel Curtis at [email protected] or 814-342-0889.
Emergency Food Boxes
Boxes of food are available for pickup at the following locations for those in need. Boxes will be filled with non-perishable items.
- Bellefonte YMCA – 125 W High Street, Bellefonte, PA – (814) 355-5551
- Moshannon Valley YMCA – 113 N 14th Street, Philipsburg, PA – (814) 342-0889
- Penns Valley YMCA – 115 W Streamside Pl, Spring Mills, PA – (814) 422-6000
- State College YMCA – 677 W Whitehall Road, State College, PA – (814) 237-7717
- Progress Grange – 217 S Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA – (814) 360-1094
- St. Peter’s UCC – 122 Main Street, Rebersburg, PA – (814) 349-5515
The Farm
“The Farm” is a project that has been made possible through a partnership with CenClear Child Services, who owns the property. This educational project is designed to teach children and families the importance of growing fruits and vegetables to support healthy eating habits. To start, the food that we harvest during our inaugural year will be distributed to families that we are currently serving at regularly scheduled food distributions. Long term, our goal is to have a learning kitchen to demonstrate how to prepare the foods we grow on the farm and continue to expand from there. We look forward to sharing more about this project with you!
Read more about “The Farm”:
Mobile Feeding Programs
Travelin’ Table
We partnered with CenClear Child Services, The Central PA Food Bank, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Penn State Health to create the Travelin’ Table, a mobile feeding bus that will meet the needs of children in our community that do not have access to nutritious meals and other important resources they need to sustain healthy physical and mental growth.
The bus travels through the communities we serve to bring food and other resources directly to those who need them. No questions asked. It is equipped with a full kitchen to support distribution of healthy meals, healthcare education and screenings provided by Penn State Health, and educational supplies and sports equipment to combat summer learning loss and encourage exercise.
Hometown Heroes Firetruck
The “Hometown Heroes” firetruck is a new mobile feeding unit named after all the volunteers that have worked with the YMCA Anti-Hunger Program. Their dedication to this program, the long hours they have put in, and their passion for helping others has helped us increase our efforts tremendously.
Similar to the Travelin’ Table, this vehicle transports food across Centre County. It has made appearances at several food distributions, special food-related events, and educational events to help spread awareness about food insecurity in our communities.
Donate Today!
We’re committed to ensuring people in our community do not go hungry. If you are too, consider making a financial contribution to this program. Donations can be made in the following ways:
- By Mail: to YMCA of Centre County, Development Office, 677 W Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16801
- Online: click here to donate online
Donations to the YMCA of Centre County are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. (Tax ID# 24-0802437) Together, we are building a stronger community, providing support for families, and promoting overall positive change. Thank you again for your support.
The official registration and financial information of YMCA of Centre County may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Volunteer Information
If you would like to volunteer at any of our sites or warehouse, please email: [email protected]. In your message, please include the following information: Name, phone #, email address, the school district/community area that you are willing to volunteer in, and what type of volunteer work you are willing to do (transport food to sites, volunteer at sites, volunteer for packing, or volunteer to pick-up donation).
For More Information:
Mel Curtis – 814-342-0889 or email [email protected]
All eligible children (those under the age of 18), have equal access to the benefits of these programs regardless of family income, race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. No child is turned away. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410. By fax: (202) 690-7442; or by email: [email protected]. The YMCA of Centre County is an equal opportunity provider.
