Central Pennsylvania Food Bank MilitaryShare comes to Franklin County

Greater than 20% of the households in central Pennsylvania receiving meals help have at the very least one member who served or is serving within the navy.

That statistic from the Central Pennsylvania Meals Financial institution isn’t any shock to Justin Slep, director of the Franklin County Workplace of Veteran Affairs. Offering entry to recent, nutritious meals has been on his mission record for 2 or three years.

Slep checked that off his record Wednesday, April 20, when the Franklin County commissioners permitted an settlement with the Central Pennsylvania Meals Financial institution to take part in its MilitaryShare program.

Native households with a member of the family who’s a veteran or is serving within the armed forces — together with reservists — are actually eligible for a free month-to-month meals distribution.

“I simply see too many navy households struggling. I really feel there’s a want,” mentioned Slep, who referred to as the tales he hears “heart-breaking.”

He lately spoke with the widow of a veteran who died by suicide just a few years in the past. She advised Slep she makes certain to feed her grownup little one with particular wants, however can not afford meals for herself each day.

She was in tears when Slep signed her up for Franklin County MilitaryShare. About 10 households are actually registered for this system, extra are actively being recruited and Slep hopes to have 100 on board by the top of the 12 months.

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“Veterans and members of the navy assist us in our nation’s time of want. It’s essential that we assist them in theirs,” Slep mentioned in a letter about this system. “They fought for our freedom. By offering them with meals to feed their households, we’re combating for his or her future.”

Franklin County joins almost 30 different MilitaryShare applications helping over 45,000 folks within the Central Pennsylvania Meals Financial institution’s 27-county service area, in keeping with a information launch from the county commissioners.

Funded via a Franklin County Human Providers Block Grant, this system is free for individuals, however advance registration is required so the correct quantity of meals might be ordered. Distributions can be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the primary Tuesday of every month, starting Might 3, at 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg.

Individuals will obtain meat, eggs, milk and vegatables and fruits, together with nonperishables like soup, pasta, sauce and cereal.

“This isn’t one thing to be shy or embarrassed about it,” Slep mentioned, including assistance is only a telephone name away. “Please, please name … and inform your inform associates about it.”

For extra data or to register for Franklin County MilitaryShare, contact John McPaul, Franklin County Workplace of Veterans Affairs group outreach coordinator, at 717-263-4326 or jpmcpaul@franklincountypa.gov

Proof of navy service is required and participation in different meals help applications is not going to prohibit people and households from benefiting from Franklin County MilitaryShare.

Tee as much as assist veterans

David Keller, Franklin County commissioner, commented at Wednesday’s commissioner assembly that he appreciates the continued initiative of Slep and his Veterans Affairs workforce.

The company gives a wide range of outreach applications together with Operation Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet, Serving to Arms for Heroes, FOCUS Pictures Program and Rucks to Reins, in addition to scholarships.

They’re supplied free to veterans and are paid for by grants, fundraisers and donations.

Planning is underway for the sixth annual Franklin County Veterans Affairs Golf Event on Friday, Sept. 2, at Penn Nationwide Golf Membership. It’s the largest fundraiser for outreach applications.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun begin at 8. The associated fee is $400 a foursome, which incorporates mild breakfast, greens charges, cart charges, on-course refreshments, lunch, door prize ticket and appreciation reward.

Based mostly on availability, golfers can select to play both the Founders Course or the Iron Forge Course. All members of the profitable workforce from every course will obtain a voucher for a five-day, four-night cruise for 2.

Sponsorship alternatives additionally can be found.

For extra data or to register, name 717-263-4326; e-mail veteransoutreach@franklincountypa.gov or go to https://bit.ly/FCgolf2.

Shawn Hardy is a reporter with Gannett’s Franklin County newspapers in south-central Pennsylvania — the Echo Pilot in Greencastle, The File Herald in Waynesboro and the Public Opinion in Chambersburg. She has greater than 35 years of journalism expertise. Attain her at shardy@gannett.com