Farmers Helping Neighbors in Need
There are 1.67 million Pennsylvanians facing hunger and malnutrition every day, and nearly half a million of them are children. Having access to healthy food is essential for these children to grow, learn, and develop to their fullest potential. Over the last several years, Feeding Pennsylvania’s member food banks have been dedicated to increasing access to fresh and nutritious food to the families they serve including fresh meat, produce, and dairy. Milk has been one of the most requested items by families visiting food pantries, yet it is rarely donated.
In 2015, dairy leaders American Dairy Association Northeast and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association partnered with two of Pennsylvania’s Feeding America food banks, one right here in Harrisburg, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, to pilot Fill a Glass with Hope®, a program that allows food banks to purchase fresh milk directly from a local dairy at a reduced price to be distributed to families facing hunger. The program was so successful that in 2016, through a partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania, the state association of Feeding America food banks, Fill a Glass with Hope® became the first statewide charitable fresh milk program in the country, with all eight of Feeding Pa’s members now distributing fresh milk.
Fill a Glass with Hope® kicks off every year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show with the support of many generous sponsors from around the state. Donations to the program help the food banks with purchasing, transporting and storing fresh milk. Since inception, the program has distributed more than 6 million servings of fresh milk to families who need it most, but the food banks need your help to continue this great work.
Want to support Fill a Glass with Hope®? There are many ways you can support this meaningful program this holiday season:
To support Fill a Glass with Hope®, visit fillaglasswithhope.org. Donations go directly to Feeding Pennsylvania to be distributed statewide, or can be designated to your local food bank.
Looking for a holiday stocking stuffer?
The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association is selling gift certificates for their delicious milkshakes sold at Farm Show. Share all the goodness that milkshakes provide with those you love this holiday season by giving a gift that gives back, a $20 gift certificate good for five tasty milkshakes. A portion of the proceeds go directly to the Fill a Glass with Hope® campaign to help nourish families. Gift certificates can be purchased at padairymens.com.
Associated Upcoming Events
Friday, December 1st & 2nd
Memories to Melodies EP Release Party Weekend
Join the former “The Voice” contestant Olivia Farabaugh as she officially releases her Memories to Melodies EP to benefit Fill a Glass With Hope® and help kicks off the 65th birthday celebration of the famous Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association milkshake.
Friday December 1st
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Flinchy’s Restaurant, Bar and Deck, Camp Hill, a portion of food sales dedicated to FAGWH all day and night.
Saturday, December 2nd
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at River House Bar and Grille, Middletown.
Friday, January 5, 2018
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the PA Farm Show Food Court Opening
The birthday celebration continues at the public opening of the PA Farm Show Food Court. Birthday
festivities abound on this special day as the legen-DAIRY milkshake turns 65. Celebrity servers will join in the fun during the two-hour party that will highlight the Fill a Glass With Hope® challenge encouraging neighbors to help the hungry by donating. Entertainment by “The Voice” contestant Olivia Farabaugh.