Pennsylvania families facing food insecurity can get help this summer

• Aniya Faulcon
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  Aniya Faulcon is The Spark Host/Producer for WITF. She has a passion for shining a light on unique people, experiences, and perspectives within the community.
  
  Previously she worked as the People and Social Trends Reporter/Video Anchor for LancasterOnline | LNPNews. During her time there, she created video packages, provided Facebook Live coverage at community events, and wrote data-driven stories with census data and feature stories on local leaders, non-profit organizations, events, and people with unique talents and experiences within Lancaster County.
  
  Aniya also worked at WMAR ABC 2 News as a Sales Assistant and at the AFRO American Newspapers as an Executive Assistant and Media correspondent. Aniya interned at WEAA Gospel Grace 88.9 and worked at her alma mater’s radio station, WWPJ at Point Park University, where she gained skills and a passion for radio.
  
  Aniya grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the Baltimore School for the arts for high school with a concentration in acting. She continued to hone her skills and passion for storytelling and later graduated from Point Park University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Broadcast Reporting. Aniya is eager to continue her journey with storytelling in her role with WITF, as she aims to shed a light on real people and real stories within Pennsylvania in a variety of mediums.

 Emma Lee / WHYY

Volunteers load bags of milk for children into cars at the West Grove United Methodist Church.

The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Education are reminding students and caretakers that they can get access to nutritious meals beyond their last day of the school year. 

According to Feeding America, as of 2019, more than a million Pennsylvanians did not always know where their next meal was coming from. Almost 1 in 3 were children.

With school-based meals ending with the academic year, child food insecurity can become an even greater issue. However, Russell Redding, Department of Agriculture secretary, said there are summer options to help.

“Food is a necessity we all deserve equal access to, but this is especially true for our youngest and most vulnerable populations,” Redding said.

Eric Hagarty, Department of Education secretary, said they’re working tirelessly to make a difference in children’s lives, in and out of the classroom.

“Fortunately, assistance is available no matter which city or town you call home, and at no cost to you,” Hagarty said. “We encourage Pennsylvanians in need to take advantage of these critical resources throughout the summer months.”

Food banks and summer food assistance programs that can help people experiencing food insecurity can be found at agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

Seniors acting as caretakers for children may also be eligible for assistance through the Pennsylvania Senior Food Box program and county area agencies on aging.

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