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CCFB Receives $120,000 from ACME Markets Foundations

The Funds, in the form of grocery gift cards, will be distributed through CCFB’s network of partner agencies

Chester County Food Bank is the recipient of a generous donation of grocery gift cards totaling $120,000 made possible by support from ACME Markets Foundation and their Nourishing Neighbors Foundation. The grocery cards will be distributed through the Food Bank’s network of hunger-relief partners. Partners can use the cards to purchase items from ACME to stock their pantry shelves or they can choose to distribute the cards to individuals and families.

“Higher prices at the grocery store are causing more people to need the services of CCFB and our network of partners,” said Andrea Youndt, CEO of the Chester County Food Bank. “The gift cards will enable our food cupboard partners to purchase most needed items for their pantry or enable a social service partner that may only do a limited grocery box distribution to give a grocery card to a client so that they can select items of their choosing.”

The grocery gift cards are coming at a particularly good time since many of the safety net programs have ended. “Last year we received dairy, meat, and produce boxes through the USDA’s Farm to Family Covid Response, but funding was not renewed for the supplemental program this year,” said Catie Hargraves, Director of Procurement and Distribution.

“Our friends (clients), who were struggling financially before recent inflation, are having an even harder time meeting their basic needs, especially at the grocery store,” said Melissa Pacella, Director of Organization and Development at Serving, Inspiring, and Loving Others (SILO) in Oxford. “Many feel trapped, choosing between paying bills or buying groceries. These gift cards will create a huge relief for families and seniors on a fixed income.”

“The effects of the pandemic will be long-lasting,” said Dana Ward, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for ACME Markets. “Those effects intertwined with inflation have people struggling – some like never before. ACME Markets is proud to support our local food bank network and pleased to present these grocery store cards to the Chester County Food Bank.”

“ACME has been a great partner in fighting hunger across Chester County and the region,” said Youndt. “We are grateful for their continued support and for helping us to ensure access to real, healthy food.”