Helping hands: How Think We Not Me combats food insecurity in Centre County
More than 12% of the individuals in Centre County face food insecurity. A recent Central PA Food Bank blog states that “food insecurity rates are as high as those observed during the Great Recession.” Think We Not Me (TWNM) Community Food Program provides fresh fruit and vegetables at no cost to charity food organizations in Centre County.
TWNM distributes produce items to 30 food banks, pantries and prepared meal centers in the county. Last year, 20 items were grown and donated including apples, broccoli, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, potatoes, salad greens, squash, tomatoes and zucchini.
What started in 2008 as a handful of gardeners donating several boxes of vegetables has substantially expanded. Additional local farmers joined the growing team, and two wholesale suppliers were enlisted to provide highly discounted potatoes and apples for distribution. Last year, 82,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown and sourced produce found its way to children, seniors, veterans and low-income households, adding a nutritious element to the diet of those with food insecurity. The goal for 2026 is to donate over 100,000 pounds.
According to TWNM President Bill Zimmer, “One-third of our vegetables come from local growers supporting the program. The wholesale suppliers supplement our efforts and greatly expand the volume of produce we can provide. This was made possible by a large one-time money donation and additional volunteer groups who package the bulk shipments into quantities that the food distribution organizations can manage. We will strive to continue this approach as we get more volunteers and donations.”
TWNM is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. We need lots of “helping hands” to plant, harvest and package produce items. To join your neighbors of all ages helping other neighbors, register at our website. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. You will receive email notifications about upcoming volunteer activities.
We especially welcome groups of volunteers. If you manage a group and want to learn more, contact me at edie@thinkwenotme.org.
Please remember us during Centre Gives on May 6-7. This is our largest fundraiser and enables us to continue our mission of helping the food insecure right here in our backyard.
Every volunteer hour and every donated dollar makes a difference!
Edie Binkley is Think We Not Me’s community outreach and volunteer coordinator.