First Lady Shapiro supports project SHARE food drive

By Blake Jackson

First Lady Lori Shapiro, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently joined Project SHARE staff and volunteers to load groceries, including holiday turkeys, into clients' cars during a drive-thru food distribution.

Project SHARE, which serves 1,000 households in SouthCentral Pennsylvania, provides food assistance through various programs, such as the Your Choice Pantry, farmstand, drive-thru, home deliveries, and summer feeding initiatives.

“Too many Pennsylvanians lack access to healthy food,” said First Lady Lori Shapiro. “Josh and I are committed to investing in food security across the Commonwealth and that starts with delivering resources and support to food assistance organizations like Project SHARE and to our agriculture community to help them keep putting food on our tables. We will continue to work to ensure our farms thrive and our families have access to fresh and nutritious food.”

Feeding Pennsylvania and Feeding America’s 2023 Map the Meal Gap report reveal that 1.5 million Pennsylvanians face food insecurity, including 436,000 children. These individuals often live in areas where fresh, affordable food is hard to find.

“Pennsylvania farmers produce an incredible bounty to feed our families, and our businesses and communities are generous, especially around the holidays,” Secretary Redding said. “But too many of our neighbors still struggle to access fresh, healthy, affordable food. The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting the generosity of partnerships like Project SHARE, and to expanding opportunities for vulnerable Pennsylvanians to find the fresh, healthy food they need to thrive during the holiday season and throughout the year.”

Project SHARE partners with local businesses and farmers to provide fresh, healthy food. The Shapiro Administration is also investing in food security with initiatives like a $46.5 million investment in universal school breakfasts and $4 million to support businesses expanding access to fresh food across the state.

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