Getting food to neighbors facing hunger takes more than donations. It takes reliable transportation to collect that food, keep it refrigerated, and deliver it to the community organizations helping families put meals on the table.
For Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, being short one refrigerated truck created a daily logistical challenge. Its operations team had to shuttle vehicles between its Harrisburg and Williamsport hubs, stretching transportation resources as demand for food assistance continued to rise.
An LSA Statewide Grant facilitated by CREDC helped address that gap.
With $57,496 in LSA grant proceeds, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank purchased a HINO refrigerated truck that entered service in June 2026. CREDC disbursed the grant proceeds during the third quarter. The vehicle expands the Food Bank’s fleet and supports distribution across a 14-county area that includes Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties.
From a transportation challenge to daily capacity
With the additional truck in service, the Food Bank no longer needs to rely on the same shuttling arrangement between hubs. Its teams can transport more large food donations and distribute more food orders to agency partners each business day.
According to the Food Bank, the truck brings approximately 300,000 pounds of donated food to its Harrisburg hub each month and delivers a similar volume to partner agencies.
Over a year, the Food Bank estimates that food sourced and distributed using the truck will provide approximately 3 million meals for neighbors facing hunger.
The refrigerated vehicle helps move nutritious foods- including fresh produce, dairy and meat- through the distribution network and into communities where they are needed.
Connecting funding to community needs
CREDC served as the applicant, grantee, and administrator, helping connect the Food Bank’s transportation need with Commonwealth funding through the LSA Statewide program. CREDC administered the funding and disbursed the grant proceeds to the Food Bank.
“Central Pennsylvania Food Bank appreciates this LSA Grant opportunity and others that have been facilitated by CREDC that have enhanced our ability to carry out our mission with excellence,” said Joe Arthur of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
The result is a practical investment in the Food Bank’s ability to carry out its mission: fewer transportation constraints, more capacity to collect and deliver food, and another dependable resource for serving neighbors facing hunger.
Does your organization have a project that could strengthen its community impact? Contact CREDC to explore available funding resources and project support.
####
ABOUT THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC
For 140 years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has served as the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity. The organization combines business, community, and economic development services to enhance the region’s vitality and livability. The Chamber is a five-star accredited chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce- a distinction held by fewer than 1 percent of chambers nationwide. CREDC is the region’s toolbox for economic development. It is the only Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) approved by the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development to perform economic development activities regionally using Pennsylvania’s funding programs across Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties.
