Concert, Penn State football buttons lead State College Food Bank’s fall fundraising efforts

Since its establishment in 1982, the State College Food Bank has held countless fundraisers, but this fall, the organization will host an event unlike one they’ve ever hosted before, featuring some Grammy Award-winning guests.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 at The State Theatre, the food bank will host the“A Great Big Fight to End Hunger” benefit concert, featuring A Great Big World. The duo is best known for the popular songs “Say Something” and “Hold Each Other,” and won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy Award in 2015.

The event will be “a powerful combination of music, connection and community impact, bringing together supporters and neighbors to help fight hunger in Centre County,” a press release about the concert states.

All proceeds from the concert’s ticket sales will go directly toward the food bank’s mission of providing food security to individuals and families in need.

“We’re thrilled to welcome A Great Big World to State College,” Allayn Beck, the food bank’s executive director, stated in the release. “Their uplifting music and heartfelt storytelling are the perfect way to bring our community together.”

Tickets to the concert are $54.40 each, and can be bought by visiting The State Theatre’s box office, calling the box office at 814-272-0606 or by visiting the theater’s website.

In addition to growing demand for the food bank’s services, Beck told the CDT this spring that the food bank, along with other county organizations, could feel the impact of the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts.

While the food bank itself doesn’t rely on federal funding to survive, the cancelling of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program — a program that provided federal funds to groups that purchase food from local farmers and producers — could lead to a shortage in current options for fresh and local produce, dairy and meats.

The food bank served a record number of patrons in 2024, and with Beck expecting that trend to continue, she said more monetary and food donations will be required to support the needs of the community.

“We’re serving more people, food is more expensive, even running electricity to our coolers is more expensive,” Beck told the CDT in April. “It’s more expensive for everybody. I think that we need more help now than ever, especially with determining what’s yet to come.”

Penn State football buttons another way to raise funds

Another fall fundraising effort is underway for the State College Food Bank, coinciding with Penn State football’s 2025 season.

Each year, Citizens Bank creates a set of popular blue Penn State football buttons that often display lighthearted jabs toward the Nittany Lions’ opponents. The buttons often turn into collectors items in the years that follow their release.

The buttons benefit the food bank and can be attained two different ways. They can be bought as a set for $35, or they can be picked up individually at any of the bank’s 26 central Pennsylvania locations by donating at least one non-perishable food item.

Buttons are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a new button available every Wednesday before games.

Those looking to buy a set of the buttons must mail a request to the food bank that contains your name, full address, telephone number and number of sets requested. You must pay by check, with the check addressed to “Food Bank of the State College Area, Inc.”

For more information on the button program, visit scfoodbank.org/news-and-events/citizens-bank-psu-football-buttons.