Annual drive combats hunger
Volunteering teaches responsibility, dependability and empathy — lessons Tara Hardsock wants to instill in her teenage son.
“Volunteering means giving back and offering my time — giving back without reward,” said Hardsock, product marketing coordinator for Armstrong.
Hardsock and her son recently volunteered for a second time and were among company employees who lent a hand Thursday at Katie's Kitchen, a free community meal, to raise awareness about National Hunger Action Month.
The national effort shines a monthlong light on the 40 million Americans facing hunger every day. Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and challenging the nation to take 40,000 actions during the month by volunteering, donating or posting on social media.
Armstrong — which provides high-speed internet, television and telephone services throughout the region — is taking on the challenge in a big way.
The company recently kicked off its second annual Avenge Hunger Month. Food donations can be dropped off at Armstrong's office, 660 S. Benbrook Road, throughout September.
Daneen O'Donnell, the company's community marketing manager, said this year's goal is to collect 60,000 pounds of food.
Passionate about food insecurity issues, O'Donnell also volunteers at the Butler County Food Bank, Katie's Kitchen and Breaking Bread events.
Year-round, the company collects goods at its offices through its Breaking Bread initiative, a program designed to feed the hungry in communities throughout its service areas in a four-pronged approach: collecting food donations, volunteering time, donating money and raising awareness.
Hardsock and her son plan to volunteer two more times at the kitchen during September and make a donation to the company food drive. Although special attention is drawn to food insecurity during September, Hardsock said the cause is important year-round. She also volunteers at Butler County Food Bank and helps at Avenge Hunger events.
“People don't realize how many people are truly struggling with this — neighbors, students elderly, families with children,” O'Donnell said.
Companywide, about 50,000 pounds of food was collected during last year's drive.One program that received support was the Butler County Food Bank.In July 2018, the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources was subcontracted by the county to manage the food bank.“Over the past year, our pantries have reported back that their clients have definitely noticed both an increase in the amount of food and an increase in the variety of food received,” said Sandra Curry, community partner manager with the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources. “We really have noticed the community support, and we're really grateful because it's helped us reach one of our food goals, which is to send out more food.”Janine Kennedy, director of programs for the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, said the countywide food bank is always looking for volunteers year-round.From July 2018 to June, more than 3,000 families totaling 7,800 people came through the food cupboard network, according to Kennedy. She pointed out that roughly 27 percent of those were children, and 19 percent were seniors, adding that food pantries see an increase in usage during holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.Kennedy expects the need for food will begin to ramp up with schools back in session.Armstrong's focus is not only donations, but also encouraging people to volunteer, O'Donnell said.Brenda Newman, administrative assistant for Armstrong's Customer Service Center in Butler, said the local office collected 2,228 pounds of food and $506 from employees. Not only do the center's employees collect for the Avenge Hunger initiative, but Newman also helps orchestrate an office food collection she delivers every other month to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Butler.“We always try to help out,” Newman said. “It's part of what we do.”The companywide collection benefits many communities, which is one aspect Newman enjoys about the charity drive, she said.“Why not help out our brothers and sisters (who) are local?” she said. “Everyone goes through tough times, why not help them out?”Additionally, employees volunteer at local food pantries to help with the company's mission to feed the hungry.“Armstrong is proud to be a supporter of the local food pantries,” said Allen Hassler, an Armstrong general manager, in a news release.Every Armstrong office is different. In Butler, O'Donnell said she keeps a chart of volunteer opportunities and shares them with everyone from the corporate office to customer service.“Teamwork and partnerships is what it's all about,” she said. “If we all work together, we can help solve this and bring awareness to everyone.”If people cannot make a donation, volunteer instead, she said. Although Avenge Hunger ends Oct. 4, people can drop off donations year-round.“Volunteers make the world go round,” she said. “There's work to be done in the community, if people don't step up to do it, then it's not going to get done.”
WHAT: Armstrong's second annual Avenge Hunger Month food driveWHEN: Through Oct. 4. Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, with the exception of Wednesday, when the office opens at 8:30 a.m.WHERE: Armstrong, 660 S. Benbrook RoadNOTE: Donations can include nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies and baby products. Monetary donations are also accepted.OTHER WAYS TO HELPPeople interested in volunteering at the Butler County Food Bank to help pack orders, assist Produce to People every fourth Tuesday of the month or set up a food drive in September can contact Janine Kennedy with the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources at 724-431-3795.People can donate nutritional items, including granola bars and snacks for families with children, butter, milk, personal and hygiene products, and cleaning items.
Here is a look at food insecurity and poverty in Butler County:- Food Insecure Population: 19,280- Food Insecure Children: 6,500- Population in Poverty: 16,050- Children Under Age 18 in Poverty: 4,010- Seniors Over Age 65 in Poverty: 1,626SOURCE: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
