In Willistown, the Church of the Good Samaritan and Paoli Presbyterian Church have partnered with the Food Bank in the fight against hunger.

Through the Willistown Parks and Recreation Can-Can project, Willistown area residents can help. Simply bring a can if you can to Willistown Township Parks and Recreation events in 2011. They will also have a cash and check donation box.

You may also drop off cans at the Township Administration office at 40 Lloyd Avenue, Malvern, suites 204-206 between 8 a.m. and noon, and 1 – 4 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays.

Here’s what is needed most:

For more info, contact Mary at 610-647-5300 x224

In an effort to help alliviate hunger in Chester County, Exton Place of the Exton Square Mall has partnered with the Chester County Food Bank to present a food drive and fund raiser now through May 15, 2011

Bring in 5 non-perishable items and receive a raffle ticket to win a Trollbead starter bracelet (retail value $300) or a Vera Bradley Blue Lagoon Metropolitan, Tote, Side by Side, and Checkbook Wallet in Black ((retail value $255). Or purchase a $15 Goodie Bag filled with 5 raffle tickets, a $10 Exton Place gift card and a free gift.   Drawing will be held on May 15th.  All proceeds will go directly to Chester County Food Bank.

Matlack Florist of West Chester is celebrating Spring with a special daffodil sale that will benefit the Chester County Food Bank.

All profits from their Daffodil Bunch Sale (just $2.50 a bunch) is coming to the food bank to help us purchase food for the local food cupboards – food supplies are very low at the cupboards who are struggling to have enough food for the people they serve.

The special sale begins Thursday March 17th and ends Monday, March 21st. Please support them – visit their website to learn more: matlackflorist.com

We are grateful for all the local support of the food bank!

On February 3, 2011, The Chester County Food Bank received a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Chester County Commissioners.

The money will be used to cover the purchase of the Food Bank’s warehouse, offices and commercial kitchen in Downingtown. The purchase of the property allows the food bank to drastically reduce its annual expenses and continue to direct 95 percent of all monetary donations to the organization’s mission of providing food for those who need it in Chester County.

“In the two years that the Chester County Food Bank has been established, the board members, staff and volunteers have created an organization that is incredibly effective in meeting the increasing needs of households in Chester County that don’t have enough food,” said Commissioners Chair Terence Farrell.

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone added, “Chester County Community Development Block Grant funds are awarded to organizations like the Chester County Food Bank to help eliminate the need to pay rent or other annual costs.  It is a tremendous boost, and lets the staff and volunteers focus on delivering the services so desperately needed, rather than spending too much time and money on the running costs.”

The Food Bank serves 34,000 Chester County households. The number of families served has increased by 2,000 in the past two years. In 2010, 44 farms and 135 raised beds provided fresh produce for the Food Bank – totaling more than 135,000 pounds of produce.

The Food Bank’s commercial kitchen helps preserve fresh fruit and vegetables so that they are available to families year-round.

Larry Welsch, Food Bank Manager, said, “We are grateful to the Commissioners and to Pat Bokovitz and his staff in Community Development for awarding us this significant grant.   We also appreciate the County’s on-going support through the Department of Human Services.

“The purchase of the warehouse, offices and commercial kitchen means that more Food Bank programs can be financed – including programs where ‘people serve people’ throughout the county.  It will also allow us to focus on supplying food and goods for the 27 food cupboards and 41 meal sites that provide food throughout the county to those who need it.”

What Can You Do on your Winter Break?

Meet Caroline & Elizabeth. They are on break from college and pitched in at the food bank warehouse. They are volunteering their time to help sort food drive donations into storage bins that will be used to give food items to the local pantries in Chester County Pa.

Holiday workers are the best! They help the staff keep the warehouse floor organized and ready for the next donation of food items that we receive from large and small food drives.

If you would like to be volunteer at the food bank on your winter break, give us a call or email Mary. 610-873-6000 mwolf@chestercountyfoodbank.org