Schuylkill Community Action has announced a special campaign with the goal of drawing attention to the number of residents in the area who rely on SNAP benefits.
During the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits payments to recipients had been put on hold. However, last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro acted on a lower federal court ruling and released some SNAP payments to Pennsylvania recipients before a Supreme Court ruling put a pause on those.
According to an AP report, the US Dept. of Agriculture warned states not to issue full SNAP payments for November as they weren’t authorized.
In Schuylkill County, a total of 25,756 people rely on SNAP benefits. So, Schuylkill Community Action launched its Neighbors First: 25,746 campaign to raise that much money.
“We thought it was an opportunity to really bring attention to the number of people that are impacted right here in our community,” Community Action CEO Dave Young says. “Our goal is really symbolic. Our hope is that we far exceed it so we can really do even more to fill those gaps.”
Young says money raised in this capital campaign will go directly to Schuylkill County residents through the organization’s Food Network, a series of food pantries around the area, as well as a new mobile pantry powered by a brand new refrigerated food truck.
“It’s a substantial portion of our population (who receive SNAP benefits). They rely on this,” he says. “What are they going to do? At a time when food resources are more scarce than ever and the need is higher than ever, it’s like the perfect storm.”
To donate to this campaign, follow this link to find a donation form.
Schuylkill Community Action Celebrates New Mobile Food Pantry
Schuylkill Community Action’s Food Network provides food to families and households in need across the area.
Currently, there are 21 physical food pantries in Schuylkill County that the organization supplies with donations it collects.
And now, there’s a new tool at Community Action’s disposal … a 26-foot refrigerated box truck that serves as a mobile food pantry.
Young says this food truck allows the organization to reach people in communities that can’t readily access one of those 21 pantries. It also allows Community Action to pick up more food from donors.
“This is just another tool in our kit to better serve the people to meet them where they need to be met,” Young says. “Transportation’s an issue. People can’t get around so requiring them to go to another community for resources they kind of pay for with their tax dollars doesn’t sit well with me.”
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Port Carbon Scout Memorial Building – one of the physical locations of a Community Action food pantry – to celebrate the launch of the mobile pantry truck, Young told a crowd, “I often say it takes a village and this project is living proof of that. It took public partners, private organizations, volunteers, and donors all coming together to make sure our neighbors do not go without food.
“Together, we are delivering food, delivering health, and most importantly, delivering hope,” he added.
The mobile food pantry is operated in partnership with Geisinger. At last week’s ribbon cutting, Maria Welch, representing the health network, explained how the new truck at Schuylkill Community Action – actually in operation since July – is paying off for those who rely on it.
“In the short time that the mobile food pantry has been in operation, it’s been demonstrating a profound impact in its communities,” she said, adding that providing healthy food options has a measurable impact on a person’s health.
Featured photo: Dave Young, CEO at Schuylkill Community Action, discusses the Neighbors First: 25,746 capital campaign and the importance of the mobile food pantry. (Coal Region Canary photo)
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Concerned Resident
November 10, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Get a job!!! Seriously, 25K people on the welfare system in the Skook.