Anti-Hunger Programs – YMCA of Centre County

Hurricane Helene Relief

Today, we had the opportunity to discuss how we could collect resources to help the hurricane victims in Western North Carolina with the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs. We have challenged other YMCAs across the state to join us in this effort. We will be packing a tractor-trailer load of supplies here in Centre County to help those who have been affected. Below is a list of items that they are requesting. If you are interested in helping us, you can purchase these items and drop them off at the Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Penns Valley, or State College YMCAs.

If you don’t have time but still want to help, there are two options: you can visit our website at https://www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/support/donate/ where Hurricane Relief is now an option for online giving. You may also drop off a financial donation at any of the above branches and specify that it is for hurricane relief. We will use your financial donations to bulk purchase the necessary food items.

Thank you in advance for your support.

ITEMS REQUESTED:

Canned beans, peas, tomatoes, and corn
Canned chicken and tuna
Pre-cooked rice packets
Bread products and tortillas
Water
Grab-and-go snacks
Granola
Nuts and trail mix
Sun butter
Jelly in plastic containers
Almond milk
Canned soup and chili (please consider vegan options)
Hygiene products (adult bath wipes, such as Stryker brand)
Deodorant (items that help people stay clean without water)
Baby items (formula, diapers, baby wipes, baby food)

If you have any questions, please contact Mel Curtis at 814-577-7259 or [email protected].

Backpack Program

Students enrolled in the Backpack Program receive a backpack full of food each Friday (or the last day of school for the week) during the school year. Learn more or enroll a child by clicking on one of the documents below. For more information, contact Mel Curtis at [email protected]

Backpack Parent Letter

Backpack Registration form

Serving These School Districts

Bald Eagle
Philipsburg-Osceola
Clearfield Area
Bellefonte Area
West Branch
Cen Clear
Penns Valley Area
State College Area
Moshannon Valley
Soaring Heights School
Young Scholars School
Liberty Curtin Elementary

Mobile Feeding Programs

Travelin’ Table

We partnered with CenClear Child Services, The Central PA Food Bank, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Penn State Health 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, and educational supplies and sports equipment to combat summer learning loss and encourage exercise.

Hometown Heroes Firetruck

The “Hometown Heroes” firetruck is a mobile feeding unit 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.

The Farm

“The Farm” is a project that has been made possible through a partnership with CenClear Child Services, who owns the property. This educational project is designed to teach children and families the importance of growing fruits and vegetables to support healthy eating habits. To start, the food that we harvest during our inaugural year will be distributed to families that we are currently serving at regularly scheduled food distributions. Long term, our goal is to have a learning kitchen to demonstrate how to prepare the foods we grow on the farm and continue to expand from there. We look forward to sharing more about this project with you!

Read more about “The Farm”:

Summer Lunch Program

Information for Summer 2025 will be available soon.

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.