CHOP Out Hunger Awarded $70,000 Grant to Strengthen Food Access for Lycoming County Students

CHOP Out Hunger Delivery Van delivers pantry stable items for the in-school pantry and weekend backpack program.

CHOP Out Hunger is excited to announce that we have received a $70,000 grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program through the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. This generous funding will help expand and strengthen our In-School Pantry and Weekend Backpack Programs serving students across Lycoming County.

Food insecurity remains a serious challenge in our region. According to Feeding America, 18.8% of children in Lycoming County—approximately 4,400 youth—live in food-insecure households. For many, school meals are their most dependable source of nutrition.

Our school-based hunger relief model bridges this gap by:

• Providing easy, discreet access to food during the school day

• Delivering weekend backpack bags filled with kid-friendly meals

• Ensuring students have nourishment during weekends, holidays, and school breaks

By partnering directly with local school districts, CHOP Out Hunger ensures children receive the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

“When Kids Have Reliable Access to Food, Everything Changes.”

“We are deeply grateful for this generous support,” said Dani Ruhf, Founder & CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. “When kids have reliable access to food, everything changes; attendance improves, focus increases, and their overall well-being strengthens. This investment helps us make sure no child is left hungry, and no family feels alone.”

This $70,000 grant will allow CHOP Out Hunger to sustain and grow essential programs in Lycoming County, reinforcing our mission to ensure no child goes hungry. We are deeply grateful for the continued support from foundation partners, community members, and donors who make this work possible.