When it comes to dairy farming, Pennsylvania plays in the big leagues. Our nearly 5,000 dairy farms with 500,000 dairy cows produce over 10.2 billion pounds of milk every year, putting PA among the top ten milk-producing states in the nation. While this calcium-rich, protein-packed beverage flows freely across the Commonwealth, it’s not reaching everyone. Fill A Glass With Hope is a fundraising and distribution initiative aimed at increasing access to milk for people experiencing food insecurity across the Commonwealth and beyond. The program connects food banks with local milk suppliers, allowing them to purchase milk at discounted rates, and then distribute it. During National Dairy Month, we’re taking a look at this impactful initiative, and how to support it!
Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks, yet rarely donated, which has created a significant supply gap. In 2015, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank partnered with local dairy farmers to do something about that. Together, they launched Fill A Glass With Hope, which is now a statewide distribution program led by Feeding PA, the PA Dairymen’s Association and the American Dairy Association North East. Over the years, this program has raised $1.5 million in funds shared with food banks across PA. The food banks use the money to buy milk from local dairies at discounted prices and distribute it to food pantries, soup kitchens and other food assistance programs. This has ultimately translated to over 41 million servings of milk distributed, and counting.
In Pennsylvania, more than 1.7 people experience food insecurity. One in eight Pennsylvanians, and one in six PA children don’t have enough to eat and do not know where their next meal will come from. Milk and dairy products can be especially critical for those experiencing hunger, as they fill nutritional gaps with a wide range of nutrients like protein, calcium, potassium and vitamin D. Those nutrients are especially critical for growing children and breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Milk also contains healthy fats for heart and brain health at any age, along with whey and casein proteins that contribute to muscle health and feelings of fullness.
Fill A Glass With Hope includes a few signature events every year. The annual kickoff takes place at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and sets the stage for the year ahead. In the spring, the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess’ Moovin’ For Milk 5k invites the community to run or walk for the cause. Then, National Dairy Month kicks off on June 1, with Weis Markets launching a month-long round-up at the register campaign, which has raised over $80,000 in recent years.
If you’d like to be a part of Fill A Glass With Hope, you can contribute a one-time donation through the Feeding PA website, designating your contribution towards a specific food bank or for distribution across the state. You can also round at the register at over 100 Weis Markets in Pennsylvania through the month of June. And, as always, support your local dairy farmers to keep this thriving Pennsylvania industry strong.
- Feature and boy at table photos: Fill A Glass With Hope
- Other photos: Bigstock
