The Greater Washington County Food Bank is a non-profit organization that collects, stores, and distributes food and grocery products in order to supply soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters that help needy clients.
The Food Bank warehouse is located at 1020 Route 519, Eighty Four, PA 15330-2812. However, plans are underway to build or buy a new facility in Washington County that will include 15,000 square feet of storage space, including a frozen and refrigerated storage area.
In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, over 2 million pounds of food were distributed.
The Food Bank works diligently year round to solicit and collect donations from local sources such as retailers and distributors. Some donations come to the Food Bank through our affiliation in the Second Harvest National Food Bank Network, which solicits donations for food banks nationwide. A large portion of the food is purchased through funds provided by the Pennsylvania State Food Purchase Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Progam.
The Food Bank has been operating in Washington County for over 20 years and is a non-profit agency which reports to a Board of Directors. It is not a government agency. Contributions from local individuals, corporations, and foundations account for the largest percentage of the Food Bank's operating revenues.
We distribute food to 33 pantries in Washington County. We continue to work to establish pantries in areas not already served by one of the existing 33 pantries.
Hunger exists in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Many families living near or below the poverty levels in our area seek help at food pantries. In Washington County, more than 45,400 individuals were served in our pantries in the 2004-2005 fiscal year.