When the COVID-19 crisis began, Mo Valley YMCA Director Mel Curtis said they were “already prepared to hit the road running and start feeding kids” through its Anti-Hunger program.
He didn’t realize the organization would be able to do so much more than that.
Due to “tremendous help from the community,” Curtis said they are currently delivering food to children in every school district in Centre County, and Mo Valley, West Branch and Philipsburg-Osceola Districts in Clearfield County at a total of 33 stops, five days a week.
They have also opened two Anti-Hunger Family Centers in Philipsburg and one in Centre Hall where they give out boxes of groceries that include meat, eggs and fresh vegetables.
Anyone wanting food need only pull up to the building and they will be given a box intended to feed a family.
Curtis noted that because of the crisis, all regulations and requirements to have people apply for assistance have “gone by the way side” because the goal is to limit contact by keeping people in their vehicles. “We can’t turn anyone away.”
For those reluctant to leave their homes, the YMCA offers a delivery service that will leave the food on your porch or steps.
In order to provide all these supplies, they have partnered with several bigger agencies such as Feeding America, No Kid Hungry and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in addition to accepting donations from many local organizations.
Two-hundred volunteers keep the program running while they have partnered with 50 different businesses and agencies in the community.
The scope of what they have been able to do is beyond amazing.
In addition to the previously listed efforts, they are involved with two weekly distributions of soup to seniors and veterans in Philipsburg, at the Bellefonte YMCA and at the Centre Hall Family Center; have three Fresh Express locations in Centre County; arrange distributions of food prepared by restaurants; have drive-through spaghetti dinners for children; and supply food with their Travelin’ Table bus.
One of the most uplifting food delivery options is pizza delivered by fire trucks. Hi-Way Pizza in Philipsburg provides the pizza slices while the Hope Fire Company drives around handing it out to children.
“We are always looking for things that excite kids,” Curtis said.
Curtis is looking forward to the time when they can start offering activities to children who are just “sitting home, eating junk and playing on computers.”
“Right now, we only see kids when they are sitting in a car with their family waiting for food,” he said. “Still they are happy just to get out.”
Curtis said recently some state officials stopped by to observe their organization and see how they were managing all these programs. Their example may now be copied in other areas.
The Anti-Hunger Program is a success because everyone is working together, he explained, while in some places, organizations can end up working against each other.
“We sat down at the table with others and asked what can we do?” Curtis said.
The demands for food are expected to continue and distribution sites are being added.
“Centre County has more square miles than Rhode Island,” he pointed out. Other expansion plans are intended for Clearfield County.
“This is not something a Y could do alone,” he said noting how grateful he is for the support of all the local communities and volunteers.
“Nobody wants to see anyone go hungry.”
Part of that support involves vehicles supplied by the Red Cross, the Civil Air Patrol and school buses from Fullington Bus Company to either pick up food or distribute the goods.
Monetary donations are also important and sometimes they come in small but meaningful ways.
“People will stop and drop off a $5 check. This is every bit as important as a $1,000 check,” Curtis said. “They give out of the goodness of their heart.”
He couldn’t say enough about all of the help they are receiving and commented that “this is a great place to raise a family.”
Curtis admitted that all of this is taking a lot of his and his employees’ time.
“We (employees of the YMCA) don’t make a lot of money here,” he noted, “but when we walk out, we know we’ve made a difference in people’s lives.”
More information on the various food distributions are available on the Facebook pages for the YMCA of Centre County Backpack Program and the Mo Valley of YMCA. You can also call 814-342-0889.