SCRANTON, Pa. — A non-profit in Lackawanna County working to combat food insecurity served more than double the amount of people in 2023 than it did the year before.
"I don't want anyone to have to choose produce over non-perishables, they should be able to have both," said Executive Board Member Vanessa Vergnetti Thomas, Bread Basket of NEPA.
At Father's House Church in Scranton, volunteers with Bread Basket of Northeastern Pennsylvania work every day - every week - to make sure no one has to make that choice.
"The need is great. We have seen an increase of more than double. In 2022, we served a little over 10,000. In 2023, we served over 21,000," said Executive Director Phoebe Wilson, Bread Basket of NEPA.
Bread Basket board members say that can be attributed to both inflation and SNAP benefits being cut dramatically. They say a family of four who used to get about $500 a month is now only getting about $175. Bread Basket of NEPA now supports seven food pantries throughout Lackawanna County. Father's House Church in Scranton is just one of those.
"Strategically placed, so we're including everybody from the north to the south tier of the county," Vergnetti Thomas said.
Bread Basket of NEPA is a non-profit that has been serving the community for four decades now. To keep feeding people in need, board members need to keep stocking these shelves. They are always coming up with ways to do that.
"Fundraising and reaching out to the community is the bones, the structure of our organization. We rely heavily on donations," Bread Basket of NEPA President Rosemary Bohenek said.
This Saturday, May 11 will be the biggest fundraising event Bread Basket has ever hosted. It's the Bread Basket Bolt, a 5k, 10k and one mile walk and it begins at the Olive Street Trailhead on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Registration starts at 7:30am, the race starts at 9am.
"It's something that will really make a big difference in our income to serve the community. Basically come down and bolt and sprint and do whatever jog, it's going towards a great cause. You're filling the bellies of so many people that have a hard time," said Vergnetti Thomas.
It is $30 to register and Bread Basket of NEPA will also be accepting donations of both money and non-perishable food items. You can register by clicking here.