THORNTON, PA — Senator John I. Kane (Delaware/Chester) announced grant funding for two food banks in Senate District 9. Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) received $26,650, and the DELCO Food Project was awarded $50,000. These funds come from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Supporting Community Efforts
TEFAP aims to bolster community organizations that provide fresh, healthy food to those in need. Senator Kane expressed his support for the initiative, saying, “It’s a great feeling to see this funding reach deserving food banks in our district. These organizations work tirelessly to serve our community, and I am always eager to support them in their mission. It is through their work that we can help the folks who don’t know the source of their next meal. Together, we can work towards a future where no one in our district and our Commonwealth goes hungry.”
Impact on Local Food Banks
Kathy Hobson, Program Director of Delco Food Project/Imago Dei MCC, shared her gratitude. “TEFAP food distributed by Share Food Program is our main source of food used to provide supplemental food to more than 200 Delaware County families a week. Our pantry has only been running for four years, and we started by helping 30 families. Since that time, the need in our neighborhood has doubled year after year. TEFAP and our dedicated volunteers are here every Thursday, rain or shine, to distribute food. We could not do this work without these amazing partners!”
Leah Reynolds, Executive Director of KACS, also highlighted the importance of the grant. “Kennett Area Community Service is grateful for this kind of support so that we can continue our mission of helping the working poor in Southern Chester County.”
Expanding Reach and Capacity
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding emphasized the significance of the funding. “Pennsylvania enjoys an incredible bounty of natural resources and generous communities willing to help feed those in need. Expanding the capacity of community organizations to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is a key element of the Shapiro Administration’s strategy to invest in a healthier, more secure Pennsylvania.”
The grants will support projects like mobile food pantries, expanded cold storage and warehouse space, and delivery vehicles. These investments aim to extend TEFAP’s reach into isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities.
This marks the second round of TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants. In September 2023, Pennsylvania awarded $1.6 million to 39 organizations working to reduce food insecurity across the state.
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