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The core of Westmoreland County Food Bank's work is to acquire food and household necessities and to distribute it to needy people throughout Westmoreland County through a network of member agencies comprised primarily of volunteer-run, faith based organizations. While a number of our member agencies are soup kitchens and other on-site feeding programs, the majority of WCFB's member agencies are emergency food pantries that make up our Food Pantry Distribution Program.
Each month, WCFB delivers food and household necessities to emergency pantries in refrigerated trucks. The pantries then distribute the food to their income-eligible constituents. In order to meet income eligibility requirements, family income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Many emergency pantries require proof of income eligibility from everyone receiving a monthly food box and verify income eligibility annually.
In turn, WCFB regularly monitors pantries to verify income eligibility documentation and to insure that IRS regulations and food safety/food handling regulations are met. Additionally, WCFB is regularly monitored by the State Department of Agriculture and by America’s Second Harvest; WCFB is a certified affiliate of America’s Second Harvest, the Nation’s Food Bank Network.
During 2008, WCFB distributed over 4 million pounds of food and household necessities. Each month, through our Food Pantry Distribution Program, approximately 14,000 people in nearly 6,000 families throughout Westmoreland County receive food assistance. These families are comprised of over 4,000 children, over 6,000 working poor and disabled, and over 3,000 people over the age of 60. While a number of our member agencies are soup kitchens and other on-site feeding programs, the majority of WCFB's member agencies are emergency food pantries that make up our Food Pantry Distribution Program.  |
