Anti-Hunger Programs – YMCA of Centre County

Free to be Me Summer Tour

We’re excited to partner with the Jana Marie Foundation to visit local communities in our Travelin’ Table mobile feeding bus throughout the summer. During these visits, we will be providing interactive activities, music, games, food, and other fun opportunities to connect and celebrate summer together.

From 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

August 2 – Port Matilda Elementary School
August 6 – Cold Stream Dam in Philipsburg
August 9 – Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte
August 16 – South Hills Business School in State College

2021 Summer Lunch Program

YMCA of Centre County’s Anti-Hunger Program heads into its 17^th year distributing meals through the Summer Lunch Program – SFSP Feeding. The program will run through August 18^th. The YMCA will be distributing meals at sites in seven school districts throughout Centre and Clearfield Counties. Lunch and an evening snack will be distributed to children at each site. All meals and snacks will follow SFSP guidelines to ensure that they contain protein, fruit, vegetables, bread, and milk. All sites (with one exception noted below) serve between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Monday through Friday. Meals will be served in a grab and go/drive-through style. A full list of sites can be found below. In addition, the YMCA’s mobile feeding units, the Travelin’ Table bus and Hometown Heroes firetruck, will be serving meals to children at special events throughout the area with programming and activities provided at each location. Stay tuned for more information.

There is no cost to participate in this program and there are no income restrictions. Every child is welcome.

Summer Lunch Menu – Week 9

List of Sites: Serving Monday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM **

Bald Eagle Area:

Mountaintop Elementary School – 100 School Drive, Snow Shoe, PA
Wingate Elementary School – 751 S. Eagle Valley Road, Wingate, PA
Howard Elementary School – 255 School Street, Howard, PA
Port Matilda Elementary School – 209 Locust Street, Port Matilda, PA
Miles Trailer Park – RR 2, Julian, PA

Penns Valley Area:

Trinity UCC – 104 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Centre Hall, PA
Penns Valley YMCA – 115 W Streamside Pl., Spring Mills, PA
St. John’s Lutheran Church – 101 Mill Street, Millheim, PA

West Branch Area:

West Branch School – 516 Allport Cutoff, Morrisdale, PA

Philipsburg-Osceola Area:

Moshannon Valley YMCA – 113 N 14th Street, Philipsburg, PA
Hope Fire Company – 400 N Front Street, Philipsburg, PA
Calvary United Methodist Church – 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, PA
Osceola Mills United Methodist Church – 303 Curtin Street, Osceola Mills, PA – ** SERVING TIME 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Philipsburg Elementary School – Black Moshannon Road, Philipsburg, PA

Bellefonte Area:

Beaver Farms – 121 Beaver Farm Lane, Bellefonte, PA
Bellefonte YMCA – 125 W High Street, Bellefonte, PA
Trinity United Methodist Church – 128 W Howard Street, Bellefonte, PA
Marion Walker Elementary School – 100 School Drive, Bellefonte, PA
Pleasant Gap Elementary School – 230 S Main Street, Pleasant Gap, PA
Pleasant Hills Apartments – 155 Danielle Dr., Pleasant Gap, PA

Moshannon Valley Area:

The Wreck Center – 800 Hannah Street, Houtzdale, PA

State College Area:

Ashworth Woods – 700 Ashworth Lane, Boalsburg, PA

Feeding Our Community During COVID-19

Large Food Distributions

These distributions provide larger amounts of food for those in need. Additional distribution dates and locations will be posted on our Facebook page and this portion of the website. All distributions will begin no earlier than the designated start time listed below. For more information, please contact Mel Curtis at [email protected] or 814-342-0889.

2nd and 4th Saturday of Every Month:
- At 10:00 AM at the 200 Shady Lane (Partnership Building) in Philipsburg
Every Friday:
- At 5:00 PM at Howard United Methodist Church
2nd and 4th Monday of Every Month
- At 2:00 PM at the Bigler YMCA
2nd and 4th Monday of Every Month
- At 4:00 PM at the Halfmoon Christian Fellowship Church

Fresh Express Distributions

The Fresh Express program is a partnership between the YMCA and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. This program is income based, and each family or individual must complete a self-declaration form on current income. Self-declarations can be completed at the distribution site prior to receiving food. The food provided offers staple fresh foods, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables. The sites listed below serve as distribution locations for Fresh Express. For more information, please contact Mel Curtis at [email protected] or 814-342-0889.

1st and 3rd Thursday of Every Month:
- At 12:00 PM in Snow Shoe at the Township Building.
1^st Wednesday of Every Month:
- At the Progress Grange in Centre Hall
1st and 3rd Thursday of Every Month:
- Time TBA at Chester Hill Fire Company (Philipsburg).
2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month:
- At 5:30 PM at the Bald Eagle Valley United Methodist Church in Wingate (behind the Sheetz store).
1st and 3rd Thursday of Every Month:
- At 4:00 PM at the “Diamondback Family Center” – St. Barbara’s Church in Houtzdale.

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.

Baby Food

We carry a limited supply of baby food for those who are in need. Please call Mel Curtis at 814-342-0889 for more information.

Backpack Weekend Food Program

Stay tuned for information about the Backpack Program once school begins for the 2021-2022 school year. The Y continues to provide food throughout the summer for kids in need – see the Summer Lunch Program section for more information.

Serving These School Districts

Bald Eagle Area	Cen Clear
Philipsburg-Osceola	Penns Valley Area
Clearfield Area	State College Area
Bellefonte Area	Moshannon Valley
West Branch

Watch Our Backpack Program In Action

Mobile Feeding Programs

Travelin’ Table

More than 20,000 people in Centre County are wondering where their next meal is coming from. We think that’s unacceptable. That’s why we’ve partnered with CenClear Child Services 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. It is 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.

Bake with Love Cookbooks

The Bake With Love Project, started by State College Area High School Junior Madeline Krentzman, strives to fight food insecurity in Centre County through its partnership with our Anti-Hunger Program. Proceeds from the sale of these cookbooks will benefit our efforts to combat food insecurity within the communities we serve. If you’d like to purchase a cookbook or learn more, visit https://www.bakewithlove.org/.

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.