Response to the Food Security Crisis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AllOne Foundation prioritized support to the charitable food system in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania. $1 million in grant funding was expedited to three major food banks: Weinberg CEO Northeastern Food Bank, Central PA Food Bank, and Second Harvest Food Bank. The funding enabled these trusted partners to support hundreds of smaller food banks, food pantries and school-based food distributions.

When the pandemic began, the region saw dramatic increases in demand for food assistance. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, for example, reported that thousands of families experienced food insecurity for the first time, and of these individuals, one third were children. Food pantries saw demand for food increase as high as 145% over the previous year.

A 2024 study by the Northeast Center for Regional Development on the role of community food services during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that community food services, including food pantries and soup kitchens, were crucial in helping individuals and families meet their food needs, especially in the first five months of the pandemic. AllOne Foundation is grateful to the three major food banks in our region for enabling the Foundation to respond swiftly and effectively during this critical period.