BELLEFONTE — Food pantries see noticeable increases in clients’ needs around the holiday season. As the community’s food needs increase in the upcoming weeks, so will the needs of food pantries.
From 2024 to 2025, our local pantries served 1,926 households, assisting over 4,000 people ranging from children to senior citizens.
Many of our local food pantries rely on state and federal money that is funneled through the county Office of Adult Services.
With government funding on hold at the state and federal levels, food pantries are working to stretch existing funds as long as possible.
The increased holiday demand, limited government funding, and the potential for SNAP benefits to freeze in early November, have the potential to be a devastating trifecta for food pantries and those who rely on them.
As a result, without the generosity of community members, the growing demand for food assistance may quickly surpass what pantries are able to supply.
Below is information about how to secure food assistance in Centre County, whether as a person seeking assistance or someone able to help with food security efforts through donations.
Seeking Out Assistance
There are several food pantries located throughout the County.
• Bellefonte Area—Faith Centre Food Bank, 814-355-4400
• Centre Hall—Grace United Methodist Church, 814-404-4693
• Howard—Howard Area Food Pantry, 570-962-2407
• Snow Shoe—Snow Shoe United Methodist Church, 814-387-6230
• State College—Food Bank of the State College Area, 814-234-2310
• Philipsburg—Philipsburg Community Action Food Pantry, 814-342-0404 Each of these pantries has a designated area to ensure all county residents have access to food (see attached image). For further information about service areas, hours of operation, and additional resources, please visit www.centrecountypa.gov/food.
Donating Assistance
In addition to state and federal funds, food pantries receive considerable inventory from food drives and donations from community members and grocery stores.
Centre County is fortunate to have generous community members who help ensure food security for our community by donating food items.
Community members who are willing and able to make a donation are encouraged to do so. The most needed items are:
• Condiments (i.e., ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise)
• Pancake mix
• Fruit (fresh and canned)
• Jellies (fruit flavors)
• Cheese
• Meat sticks
• Protein snacks
• Cereal
• Juice
• Ready-to-eat soup
• Oils (i.e., vegetable, olive, cooking spray, etc.)
• Coffee
• Toiletries (i.e., shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, hand soap) • Paper products (i.e., paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissues)
• Trash bags
• Cleaning products
• Equipment (as needed; contact pantries individually to inquire)
Information about food pantries, emergency food assistance, and assistance for people who are not income-eligible for food assistance can be found at www.centrecountypa.gov/food or by contacting the Office of Adult Services at 814-355-6768.
There has been a recent increase in reports of phone-based scams related to SNAP benefits. In many instances, people have received calls or text messages from an unfamiliar number, claiming that a person’s food assistance benefits are in jeopardy of being halted unless the target can verify their personal information.
Remember, the Department of Human Services (DHS), or the organizations operating under DHS, will never ask for personal information in an unsolicited text message, email, or phone call.
If you receive correspondence about your SNAP benefits or food assistance and you are unsure about the legitimacy of the message, please contact the Office of Adult Services at 814-355-6768 to verify.
