HARRISBURG, PA — On Friday, the Pennsylvania Farm Show became the stage for a powerful celebration of charity, community, and the fight to end hunger. The tenth anniversary of the Fill a Glass with Hope® program, a groundbreaking initiative that has provided over 41 million servings of fresh milk to food-insecure Pennsylvanians, was marked with a splash—and a $181,500 donation announcement from generous sponsors.
This milestone event brought together state leaders, dairy industry influencers, charity advocates, and even a two-time Super Bowl champion to underscore a pressing message—hunger in Pennsylvania remains widespread, but together, we can make a difference.
“Providing fresh milk to food pantries is the important mission of Fill a Glass with Hope,” said former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, an advocate for the program. “On this tenth anniversary, I’m so proud of the program’s founders and today’s generous sponsors. Their support ensures that families, especially children, have the essential nutrients they need to fuel their days.”
Joining Batch were prominent leaders, including Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, Feeding Pennsylvania CEO Julie Bancroft, Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association Executive Director Dave Smith, and Berks County dairy farmer and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program Chair Lolly Lesher. Together, they championed the undeniable impact of a program born right here in Pennsylvania in 2015 that has since grown to become the country’s first statewide charitable fresh milk distribution initiative.
Tackling Hunger, One Glass at a Time
Food insecurity continues to plague Pennsylvania communities—affecting over 1.5 million residents, including 436,000 children. Rural counties, often overlooked, bear some of the highest rates of hunger. For families making impossible choices between groceries and other essentials, getting access to fresh, nutritious milk can mean more than relief—it can mean survival.
Fill a Glass with Hope was launched to meet this need. A joint effort originally spearheaded by local dairy farmers, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, the initiative expanded when Feeding Pennsylvania came onboard. Today, this innovative program works with nine partner food banks, distributing milk to Pennsylvanians in need through a network of over 2,750 local feeding programs spanning all 67 counties.
“This year, as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Fill a Glass with Hope, the outpouring of support from our sponsors and partners for this program is a remarkable reminder of how communities come together to support and uplift their neighbors,” said Feeding Pennsylvania CEO Julie Bancroft.
The Milk and the Mission
The funds announced on Friday, totaling $181,500, will kick-start the 2025 Fill a Glass with Hope campaign in style, thanks to Supreme Champion Sponsors like Columbia Gas and NiSource Foundation, Coterra Energy, First Energy Foundation, and Weis Markets, each contributing $25,000. Additional funds included a $50,000 contribution from Weis Markets during National Dairy Month, as well as $5,000 raised by the PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Services over the last year.
Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding highlighted the importance of collaboration in ensuring no Pennsylvanian goes hungry. “The Shapiro Administration is pleased to partner with generous Pennsylvania farmers and partners like Feeding Pennsylvania who work year-round toward a day when no one in PA goes hungry,” he said. “We’re grateful to these organizations for ten years of generosity through Fill a Glass with Hope.”
Meanwhile, Dave Smith of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association issued a powerful invitation to Pennsylvanians visiting the Farm Show and beyond. “We must continue to give back to assist families, especially hungry children across the state. I’m hopeful Farm Show attendees will join us to help us deliver nutritional dairy products such as milk to Pennsylvanians facing food insecurity by donating at our milkshake booths or online,” he said.
More Than a Milestone—A Call to Action
At its core, Friday’s event at the Pennsylvania Farm Show wasn’t just a celebration—it was a challenge. While Fill a Glass with Hope has accomplished incredible feats over the last decade, the battle against hunger is far from over.
The touching words of Berks County dairy farmer Lolly Lesher drove the point home. “When we started this initiative ten years ago, we knew there was a need,” she said. “Distributing more than 41 million servings of milk since that time is a point of pride for Pennsylvania dairy farmers. But we know our job isn’t done.”
With hunger reaching all-time highs and families continuing to make hard choices, every donation, every bowl filled, and every glass of milk distributed counts. Amidst the celebration, Friday’s event had one underlying message for attendees at the Farm Show—take action and contribute to a cause that changes lives.
Join the Movement
From celebrity milkshake servers to heartfelt speeches, this anniversary celebration was packed with energy, excitement, and purpose. But why stop there? Visitors can participate by donating at the Farm Show’s milkshake booths or supporting the Fill a Glass with Hope campaign online.
The legacy of Fill a Glass with Hope is not just about milk—it’s about fighting hunger with unity and compassion. With the next ten years stretching ahead, the program’s story of impactful partnership and generosity is far from finished. The question is—will you be part of it?
Learn more and donate to Fill a Glass with Hope by visiting the PA Dairymen’s Association milkshake booths at the PA Farm Show and feedingpa.org/milk.
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