The Chester County Commissioners presented a check for $25,000 to representatives from the Chester County Food Bank this week, at the Food Bank’s headquarters in Exton. The funds are part of the County’s annual appropriations to organizations and non-profits, and the check was presented in anticipation of the opening of the Food Bank’s Fresh2You Mobile Market later this month.
Chester County government actively supports the work of the Chester County Food Bank, and in particular the farm and garden programs, growing vegetables and fruit at the County’s Springton Manor Farm as well as at the Chester County Youth Center and Chester County Prison.
Close to $300,000 of state and federal funding channels through Chester County government for the Chester County Food Bank annually, and in addition to the Commissioners’ annual appropriation, county employees donate food and toiletry items to the Food Bank as part of the county’s monthly dress down day program.
The Chester County Food Bank serves approximately 50,000 people a year through 36 food cupboards and 68 meal sites and social service agencies. Last year, 2.5 million pounds of food was distributed, including 850,000 pounds of fresh produce.