Representative Chrissy Houlahan visited Helping Harvest, the Feeding America member food bank serving Berks and Schuylkill counties, on Thursday, June 6.
Helping Harvest has been at the forefront of fighting hunger in the region, distributing millions of pounds of food annually to families, children, seniors, and individuals facing food insecurity. Representative Houlahan’s visit highlighted the importance of such organizations and the positive impact they have on local communities.
During her visit, Representative Houlahan toured the facilities, and meet with staff and volunteers. This visit also provided an opportunity to discuss federal and state policies that can support food banks and the people they serve.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry,” said Representative Houlahan. “Helping Harvest plays a crucial role in providing food assistance to thousands of individuals and families. I look forward to learning more about their work and how we can support their mission through policy and community efforts.”
Representative Houlahan recently helped secure a $500,000 grant through the Community Project Funding program in support of the new Helping Harvest Community Kitchen project being constructed at the GoggleWorks II building in downtown Reading. The kitchen will utilize donated bulk food to produce heat-and-eat ready meals for distribution through the food bank’s agency partners, as well as provide opportunities for culinary training.
“We are honored to welcome Representative Houlahan to Helping Harvest,” said Jay Worrall, President of Helping Harvest. “Her support is invaluable as we continue to address the issue of hunger in our communities. We look forward to discussing our work and exploring ways to collaborate further.”
