SWATARA TWP., Pa. — Senior citizens who rely on the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank for meals received a huge helping hand Friday.
Highmark Blue Shield presented the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank with a $30,000 grant. Much of the money will go towards supporting the food bank’s ElderShare Program, which provides nutritious meals to low-income seniors.
Food boxes going to ElderShare Program participants include 30 pounds of shelf-stable, nutritional items, according to a Food Bank release. Last year, over 67,000 ElderShare boxes were distributed to 7,500 senior citizens in Central PA.
“Without grants like this, we probably wouldn’t be able to run that program,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “It provides a great box of healthy food for seniors in need, and that will help several hundred through the year.”
Seniors who participate in the program will see their newest ElderShare boxes as early as next week.