Reduce hunger and strengthen communities across Central Pennsylvania by ensuring neighbors have enough to eat and by supporting nutrition programs and partnerships.
A defining feature of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is the scale of its food-relief grants to local partner organizations across central Pennsylvania, with awards that reach into the millions for individual recipients. In 2025, Bethesda Mission Lancaster Retail received $6,732,444 for food relief, and Harvest of Blessing in York received $3,329,351 for the same purpose. The pattern points to a funder built around direct food distribution rather than small project grants: large allocations support pantries, meal sites, and community food access points that can move food quickly to households facing hunger. The food bank also funds recurring support for established partners. New Hope Ministries, for example, appears across multiple years and locations, including Hanover and Mechanicsburg, showing an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time award. Other repeated recipients include Moshannon Valley YMCA and The Fb for Central & Northeast Missouri, suggesting that the food bank maintains multi-year food relief ties with organizations that can distribute food at scale. Its grantmaking is anchored in food security, hunger relief, and program support for local agencies working in the 27-county service area.
Food security sits at the center of the foundation’s grantmaking. Recent awards include $2,397,437 to Lancaster County Food Hub for food relief and $1,972,257 to York County Food Bank for the same purpose, both reflecting support for local systems that move food to households and community sites. The food bank also backs emergency response and direct distribution. It gave $1,771,723 to Project Share in Carlisle for food relief, a grant that fits its emphasis on immediate food access. Partner organizations in central Pennsylvania receive sustained support through this model, with food routed through agencies that already serve people facing hunger. Its grantmaking also reaches organizations outside Pennsylvania when they operate within the same food-relief mission. Grants to Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint and Fb of Central & Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh show support for food distribution partners as part of a broader relief network, while the purpose text remains centered on food access.
$112.1M
$40.1M
$134.2M
$133.5M
Most grants fall between $14K and $93K, with a median of $32K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$32K
75th Percentile
$93K
SHILA ULRICH
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Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s typical grant size is $13,538 at the 25th percentile, $32,382 at the median, and $92,903 at the 75th percentile, but its recent food-relief awards also include much larger operating-scale commitments. The grant list shows recurring relationships over multiple years, including repeated awards to Moshannon Valley YMCA and New Hope Ministries locations. That pattern suggests ongoing support rather than isolated one-time grants. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Public application pathways are available for several partner programs, including site sponsorship and partner-agency participation.
Grantmaking is highly local: 98% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the largest share of activity is concentrated across central Pennsylvania cities and towns. Recent recipients include Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Chambersburg. The broader recipient list also reaches outside the state, with grants to Raleigh, Columbia, and Flint. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 3,313 grants going to U.S. recipients.
It funds food pantries, meal sites, shelters, school-based pantry partners, veteran-serving locations, and other nonprofit partners that distribute food. Its active programs also include partner-agency membership, emergency food distribution, Fresh Express, MilitaryShare, and school meal support programs.
Yes. Several active programs accept inquiries or applications, including CACFP site sponsorship, School Pantry/BackPack support, Emergency Food Distribution, MilitaryShare, Become a Partner Agency, Fresh Express, and Agency Resources & Ordering. Some programs note that the food bank reviews applications for fit and capacity.
The typical grant size is $13,538 at the 25th percentile, $32,382 at the median, and $92,903 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger food-relief awards, showing that support can scale well above the median for major partner organizations.
Its grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Pennsylvania, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The foundation’s local scope is visible in recent recipients across Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Chambersburg.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years in the recent grants list, including Moshannon Valley YMCA and New Hope Ministries locations in Hanover and Mechanicsburg. That multi-year pattern shows ongoing support for established food-distribution partners.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Central Pennsylvania Food Bank that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Must be a qualifying nonprofit organization or community food program serving people in need in the Food Bank’s service area; must complete the Food Bank's partner agency application process (see Become A Partner Agency).
Who can apply: Veterans/military families receive food by registering with local distribution sites; organizations interested in hosting a MilitaryShare distribution complete the Food Bank’s contact/application form.
Who can apply: Participation determined by individual school or partner agency; schools/community organizations interested in participating are directed to contact the Food Bank (school principal/counselor or via Agency Resources).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETHESDA MISSION OF HARRISBURG | HARRISBURG, PA | $14,623,881In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES - HANOVER | HANOVER, PA | $2,877,226In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES - MECHANICSBURG | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $2,791,906In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| CATHOLIC HARVEST FOOD PANTRY | YORK, PA | $2,462,117In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| LANCASTER COUNTY FOOD HUB | LANCASTER, PA | $2,071,645In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| THE CARING CUPBOARD | PALMYRA, PA | $1,772,471In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| PROJECT SHARE | CARLISLE, PA | $1,641,834In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| WATER STREET MINISTRIES | LANCASTER, PA | $1,424,079In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| LEBANON COUNTY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | LEBANON, PA | $1,356,994In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| YORK BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION | YORK, PA | $1,315,297In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| SCCAP - GETTYSBURG | GETTYSBURG, PA | $1,266,028In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS | HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA | $1,240,764In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| YORK COUNTY FOOD BANK | RED LION, PA | $1,231,334In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| FB OF CENTRAL & EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA | RALEIGH, NC | $1,207,785In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| THE FB FOR CENTRAL & NORTHEAST MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $1,206,447In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| THE SALVATION ARMY - FAMILY SERVICES | HARRISBURG, PA | $1,191,805In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| HARVEST OF BLESSING | YORK, PA | $1,001,090In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS - WILLIAMSPORT | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $978,504In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| SCCAP - CHAMBERSBURG | CHAMBERSBURG, PA | $933,505In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| HANNA'S PANTRY INC | HARRISBURG, PA | $858,595In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR FOOD BANK | NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA | $843,865In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES - DILLSBURG | DILLSBURG, PA | $833,803In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| REAPERS | ALTOONA, PA | $813,692In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| HARVEST OF HOPE | YORK, PA | $800,663In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| MARANATHA MINISTRIES | CHAMBERSBURG, PA | $800,032In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| STATE COLLEGE FOOD BANK | STATE COLLEGE, PA | $793,882In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| AGAPE LOVE FROM ABOVE (FE) | BLOOMSBURG, PA | $783,951In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| MISSION FOOD PANTRY | LANCASTER, PA | $760,514In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| SHIPPENSBURG PRODUCE AND OUTREACH | SHIPPENSBURG, PA | $737,490In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| HARRISBURG AREA FOOD PANTRY | HARRISBURG, PA | $712,535In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| THE LOFT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP | MILLERSVILLE, PA | $675,419In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| LANCASTER COUNTY CHOOSES LOVE | LITITZ, PA | $661,348In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| LIFEPATH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | YORK, PA | $656,394In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| JUNIATA COUNTY FOOD PANTRY | MIFFLINTOWN, PA | $649,448In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH - PERRY | NEWPORT, PA | $645,545In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| FOOD BANK OF EASTERN MICHIGAN | FLINT, MI | $637,927In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| CAP - LANCASTER | LANCASTER, PA | $618,894In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY | CAMP HILL, PA | $570,160In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| MIDDLECREEK AREA COMMUNITY YMCA | BEAVER SPRINGS, PA | $557,836In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| ALLISON HILL COMMUNITY MINISTRY | HARRISBURG, PA | $503,033In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES - LEMOYNE | LEMOYNE, PA | $500,510In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| JERSEY SHORE CARE AND SHARE | JERSEY SHORE, PA | $499,402In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| COLUMBIA DREAM CENTER | COLUMBIA, PA | $495,143In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| MARC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $487,261In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| FIVE FORKS BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH | WAYNESBORO, PA | $483,012In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| TOWANDA AREA CHRISTIAN OUTREACH | WYSOX, PA | $470,540In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| NORTHERN DAUPHIN FOOD PANTRY | ELIZABETHVILLE, PA | $456,994In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY (MS) | CHAMBERSBURG, PA | $434,756In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| WEST END LOCAL LINK (WELL) | YORK, PA | $423,378In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
| COMMONFOOD | STATE COLLEGE, PA | $404,781In-kind: food donation | 2026 | FOOD RELIEF |
BETHESDA MISSION OF HARRISBURG
$14,623,881In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
CATHOLIC HARVEST FOOD PANTRY
$2,462,117In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
FOOD RELIEF
AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS
$1,240,764In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
THE SALVATION ARMY - FAMILY SERVICES
$1,191,805In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
HARVEST OF BLESSING
$1,001,090In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS - WILLIAMSPORT
$978,504In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
HANNA'S PANTRY INC
$858,595In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR FOOD BANK
$843,865In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
REAPERS
$813,692In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
HARVEST OF HOPE
$800,663In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
MARANATHA MINISTRIES
$800,032In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
MISSION FOOD PANTRY
$760,514In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
HARRISBURG AREA FOOD PANTRY
$712,535In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
LANCASTER COUNTY CHOOSES LOVE
$661,348In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
JUNIATA COUNTY FOOD PANTRY
$649,448In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH - PERRY
$645,545In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY
$570,160In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
MIDDLECREEK AREA COMMUNITY YMCA
$557,836In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
ALLISON HILL COMMUNITY MINISTRY
$503,033In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
JERSEY SHORE CARE AND SHARE
$499,402In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
COLUMBIA DREAM CENTER
$495,143In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
FIVE FORKS BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH
$483,012In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
TOWANDA AREA CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
$470,540In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
WEST END LOCAL LINK (WELL)
$423,378In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
COMMONFOOD
$404,781In-kind: food donationFOOD RELIEF
