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Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to get donation from WellSpan Health

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 9:48 GMT by WGAL
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WellSpan Health’s $275,000 Donation Aims to Curb Food Insecurity in Lancaster County

WellSpan Health, the region’s leading healthcare system, announced a substantial $275,000 contribution to the Food Bank of Central Pennsylvania—commonly known as the Food Bank of Lancaster County. The donation, made through the WellSpan Foundation, is part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to tackle health disparities that extend beyond the walls of its clinics and hospitals.

A Strategic Partnership to Feed Families

The Food Bank of Central Pennsylvania has long served as a lifeline for families across Lancaster County, providing groceries, nutrition education, and community outreach. According to the Food Bank’s website, it distributes nearly 4.5 million pounds of food each year to more than 90 partner agencies, including soup kitchens, food pantries, and community centers. The WellSpan donation is earmarked to expand the Food Bank’s “Community Food Partnership” initiative, which focuses on increasing the availability of fresh produce, dairy, and protein for children and seniors.

“We are proud to support an organization that has been the backbone of our community’s food security for decades,” said Dr. Elizabeth M. McKee, president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “By investing in food access, we are addressing one of the root causes of poor health outcomes in our region.”

The WellSpan Foundation has also pledged to match any additional community contributions raised during the Food Bank’s “Food Forward” campaign, potentially doubling the impact of the $275,000 seed money.

Context: Rising Food Insecurity in the Region

Lancaster County has experienced a surge in food insecurity in recent years, driven by a combination of rising food costs, stagnant wages, and the lingering economic fallout of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Data from the County Health Department’s 2023 Food Insecurity Assessment indicate that approximately 14% of residents—roughly 50,000 individuals—are at risk of food insecurity. Among children, the rate is even higher, with nearly 19% of families reporting that they cannot afford to buy healthy food consistently.

WellSpan’s donation addresses these challenges directly. The Food Bank will use the funds to purchase and distribute fresh produce, lean meats, and low‑cost staples. In addition, the donation will support the Food Bank’s “Nutrition Education” program, which offers cooking classes, budgeting workshops, and meal‑planning resources to help families stretch their food dollars further.

Community Response and Impact

The local community has welcomed the WellSpan pledge. “Food banks are the first line of defense against hunger,” said Maria Ramirez, director of the Lancaster County Community Services Agency. “With this investment, we can ensure that families have access to nutritious food and the knowledge they need to maintain a healthy diet.”

WellSpan also plans to leverage its network of health professionals to provide on‑site health screenings at Food Bank distribution centers. These screenings will identify issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions that often co‑occur with food insecurity. By linking nutrition to medical care, WellSpan hopes to reduce the burden on emergency departments and improve overall community health.

Expanding the Reach

The Food Bank’s website highlights several key initiatives that will benefit from the WellSpan donation:

• Senior Nutrition Program: Providing tailored meal packages and home delivery services for seniors who may have mobility or transportation challenges.
• School‑Based Food Programs: Supporting school lunch and breakfast programs in districts that face high rates of poverty.
• Mobile Food Distribution: Equipping a mobile pantry to reach underserved neighborhoods that lack easy access to grocery stores.

Additionally, the Food Bank will expand its partnership with local farms, creating a “farm‑to‑table” program that sources fresh produce directly from Lancaster County growers. This not only ensures that the food is fresher and more nutritious but also supports local agriculture.

A Model for Integrated Community Health

WellSpan Health’s $275,000 contribution underscores a broader trend in healthcare: the recognition that health is shaped by social determinants such as food access, housing, and education. By funding a food bank, WellSpan is investing in preventive care that can reduce hospital readmissions and lower healthcare costs over time.

The donation is part of WellSpan’s broader “WellSpan Community Health Initiative,” which includes efforts to improve access to mental health services, provide transportation to medical appointments, and fund neighborhood improvement projects. Together, these initiatives aim to build a healthier, more resilient community.

Looking Ahead

While the donation is a significant step, WellSpan acknowledges that addressing food insecurity will require sustained, multi‑sector collaboration. The hospital has called on local businesses, faith‑based organizations, and residents to join in the effort. “It takes a village to feed a village,” Dr. McKee said. “With the support of our partners, we can create a system where no one in Lancaster County has to choose between a medical bill and a grocery bill.”

The Food Bank of Central Pennsylvania has issued a statement thanking WellSpan for its generous gift. “Your investment will allow us to reach more families, provide more nutrition education, and ultimately make a measurable difference in the health and well‑being of our community,” the statement read.

As WellSpan and its partners roll out the next phase of the program, the impact of the $275,000 donation will be measured through increased food distribution volumes, higher rates of fresh produce consumption among recipients, and reduced rates of food‑related health complications in the region. The initiative serves as a model for how health institutions can play a pivotal role in building healthier, more equitable communities.