Assistance awaits

Dear Editor,

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania works hard to support families, seniors, veterans, and children facing hunger every day. Going to any grocery store, it’s clear that food prices continue to stay out of reach for our neighbors in need. This is leading to rising demand for support from Second Harvest and our partner food pantries, soup kitchens, and schools.

We need strong federal programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to support this vital need. TEFAP provides over 20% of the food moving through the Feeding America network of food banks and faith-based pantries, connecting surplus American-grown food to families experiencing hunger while also supporting farmers and rural economies.

The program is a critical lifeline for working families. TEFAP helps food banks ensure these families can access the nutritious food they need. Without it, Second Harvest faces longer lines, fewer resources, and puts greater strain on our communities.

TEFAP is a win-win: It helps American farmers and puts nutritious food on the tables of hardworking families experiencing tough times. We hope to work with Senator McCormick and Senator Fetterman to ensure that no bills under consideration include reductions to food assistance programs that might jeopardize negotiations for a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill.

The longer a Farm Bill is delayed, the longer food banks, American agriculture, rural communities, and working families must wait for critical investment in TEFAP.

Gregory D. Hall,

Chief executive officer,

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania