For more than three decades, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and North East Community Food Pantry have worked together to help alleviate hunger in North East. As of Wednesday, Aug. 7, that partnership will come to an end. 

Second Harvest wishes the North East Community Food Pantry success in the ongoing pursuit of their mission. 

According to the US Census, 1 in 13 people in North East are living in poverty. That means that nearly 500 individuals in the area may be without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. In order to alleviate this need, Second Harvest is actively pursuing new partnerships within North East to provide donated food to the area. Second Harvest operates through a vast network of 411 food pantries, soup kitchens, Produce Express mobile distributions, BackPack programs, School Pantries and more. 

If your organization has an interest in partnering with Second Harvest in hunger relief services, please 814-459-3663 ext. 120 to explore the opportunity of working together to achieve the greatest impact. 

Second Harvest, the lead hunger relief organization in the region, will continue to provide food across the 11 counties of northwest Pennsylvania, including North East. If you, or someone you know, are in need of food, there are several Second Harvest resources you can access: 

• Ella Cochran, at Our Lady of Mercy Church — 814-480-9979 

• Wesleyville Interfaith Food Pantry — 814- 403-8475 

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania Produce Express —

Call 814-459-3663 ext. 111 to pre-register

• Second Harvest currently partners with three organizations in North East to provide food boxes to low-income senior citizens. If you are 60 years of age or older, you may qualify to receive a free, senior food box distributed through Second Harvest’s partnership with the 4 NINE. Please contact Sheilah at 814-459-3663 ext. 111 for more information. 

“Overcoming the challenges of hunger requires a community-based approach,” said Second Harvest Executive Director Karen Seggi. “I want to assure the North East community that Second Harvest is committed to maintaining our services within the area, and we will continue in our efforts to expand alongside other partner organizations who share in our belief that no person should be hungry.”