The Chester County Food Bank plays a central role in the annual distribution of millions of pounds of food to our neighbors who have limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

Key to that role are the partnerships the Exton-based nonprofit has formed and connections it has made between like-minded organizations that want to join the stalwart effort to reduce food insecurity.

The fruits of that labor were recently on display at the Oxford SILO and Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square. The yield of a community food drive jointly organized by Beiler-Campbell Realtors and Cedar Knoll Builders was being donated to the two organizations to assist those in need.

The southern Chester County-based realtors and homebuilders had collection bins in all their offices and model homes. The two groups then matched the community’s food donations for a generous collection of more than a ton of food that was able to stock the shelves at SILO and Willowdale Chapel.  

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen more people and companies mobilized and eager to help,” said Gustavo Castañeda, Willowdale Chapel’s Pastor of Outreach. “It’s great to see local businesses and nonprofits serving our community together.”

“The challenges of the past year have many people finding themselves in need of a food pantry for the first time, while those who were already in need are experiencing additional financial burdens,” said Andrea Youndt, CEO of the Chester County Food Bank. “We will continue to be rooted in community to serve our neighbors in time of need and are grateful for the many partnerships that enable us to continue our mission.”

“The Chester County Food Bank is a great partner,” said Castañeda. “We are really grateful for their leadership and the connections they provide. There are so many organizations in our area eager to serve the community with open arms. With each event, we have the opportunity to meet more families in our area, not only to give them food aid or gift cards that can be used in local supermarkets, but also to strengthen our ties to the community and pray.”

Youndt said that fighting hunger means more than just feeding people.

“It means helping them on a path to fulfill their potential,” she said, “because nutritious food is the keystone for good health and well-being.”

Read about how you can get involved and what you can do to help our neighbors struggling with food insecurity.