In Berks County, there's an organization with an appetite for change: Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. What started as a modest effort to address local hunger has grown into a verifiable feast of community support, dishing out millions of pounds of food annually. But Helping Harvest's story isn't just about filling plates — it's about perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. From navigating the uncharted waters of a global pandemic to adapting to the shifting landscape of food insecurity, this organization has shown it has the right recipe for resilience. Join us as we explore how Helping Harvest, under the leadership of President Jay Worrall, has not only weathered the storm but flourished, transforming obstacles into opportunities to nourish its community better. This is a tale of innovation, compassion and the power of coming together when the going gets tough.
In Berks County, there's an organization with an appetite for change: Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. What started as a modest effort to address local hunger has grown into a verifiable feast of community support, dishing out millions of pounds of food annually. But Helping Harvest's story isn't just about filling plates — it's about perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. From navigating the uncharted waters of a global pandemic to adapting to the shifting landscape of food insecurity, this organization has shown it has the right recipe for resilience. Join us as we explore how Helping Harvest, under the leadership of President Jay Worrall, has not only weathered the storm but flourished, transforming obstacles into opportunities to nourish its community better. This is a tale of innovation, compassion and the power of coming together when the going gets tough.
The Story Behind Helping Harvest
Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a large but unpretentious facility located a stone’s throw off Route 222 off Revere Boulevard, stands at the center of a vast food distribution network. Serving as a crucial link between food suppliers and those in need throughout Berks and Schuylkill counties, Helping Harvest has grown into a multimillion-dollar nonprofit with a reputation for excellence and compassion.
"We have 350 food distribution partners that we provide food to," explains Worrall. "We are not the people who put the food in the hands of those who are hungry; that’s primarily church pantries, elementary schools, nonprofit organizations, kitchens and homeless shelters." It’s an important distinction, but it’s also important to note that those who show up at the doors of Helping Harvest’s headquarters are never turned away.
This unique position allows Helping Harvest to maximize its impact. By partnering with local organizations, it ensures that food reaches those who need it most efficiently. In its 2023-24 fiscal year, Helping Harvest distributed $19.9 million worth of food through this network, serving approximately 115,000 people annually.
Helping Harvest's success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships. The vast majority of its food comes from collaborations with major suppliers and grocery stores, supplemented by government programs and strategic purchases. This diverse sourcing strategy allows it to provide a wide variety of nutritious options to its partners and, ultimately, to families in need.
As we delve deeper into Helping Harvest's story, we'll explore how this organization has not only grown in size but also in its ability to adapt, innovate and persevere through challenging times.
The Story Behind Helping Harvest
Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a large but unpretentious facility located a stone’s throw off Route 222 off Revere Boulevard, stands at the center of a vast food distribution network. Serving as a crucial link between food suppliers and those in need throughout Berks and Schuylkill counties, Helping Harvest has grown into a multimillion-dollar nonprofit with a reputation for excellence and compassion.
"We have 350 food distribution partners that we provide food to", explains Worrall. "We are not the people who put the food in the hands of those who are hungry; that’s primarily church pantries, elementary schools, nonprofit organizations, kitchens and homeless shelters." It’s an important distinction, but it’s also important to note that those who show up at the doors of Helping Harvest’s headquarters are never turned away.
This unique position allows Helping Harvest to maximize its impact. By partnering with local organizations, it ensures that food reaches those who need it most efficiently. In its 2023-24 fiscal year, Helping Harvest distributed $19.9 million worth of food through this network, serving approximately 115,000 people annually.
Helping Harvest's success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships. The vast majority of its food comes from collaborations with major suppliers and grocery stores, supplemented by government programs and strategic purchases. This diverse sourcing strategy allows it to provide a wide variety of nutritious options to its partners and, ultimately, to families in need.
As we delve deeper into Helping Harvest's story, we'll explore how this organization has not only grown in size but also in its ability to adapt, innovate and persevere through challenging times.
In the rolling hills and quiet suburban landscape of Eastern Pennsylvania, a silent struggle persists — one that Helping Harvest is determined to address. Food insecurity, often invisible to the casual observer, affects a surprising number of local residents. According to the United Way of Pennsylvania, 21% of Berks County residents and 20% of those in Schuylkill County do not have sufficient incomes to afford the basic costs of living.
The statistics are sobering. Nearly 24,500 children under 18 in these counties live in poverty. More than 38,000 school-aged children (over 52% of the student population) are eligible for free and reduced lunches. In total, more than 110,000 people in Berks and Schuylkill Counties qualify for food assistance.
Helping Harvest's approach to tackling this issue is multifaceted and innovative. Its Weekender Program, for instance, addresses a critical gap in childhood nutrition.
"We provide about 4,300 of those bags of food which are distributed to elementary school sites," Worrall explains. This initiative ensures that children who rely on school meals during the week don't go hungry over the weekend.
The organization's 23 mobile markets represent another creative solution. These drive-through distributions bring food directly to communities, eliminating transportation barriers for many families.
Helping Harvest's philosophy extends beyond mere food distribution. It prioritizes nutritious options, with a focus on frozen and refrigerated items that offer healthier choices. This commitment to quality nutrition underscores its holistic approach to combating hunger.
Moreover, the organization plays a crucial role in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment. By helping clients navigate the complex application process, Helping Harvest ensures that more families can access sustained food support.
Through these varied programs and a deep understanding of local needs, Helping Harvest is not just feeding the hungry — it is nourishing hope and fostering resilience in Berks County.
In the rolling hills and quiet suburban landscape of Eastern Pennsylvania, a silent struggle persists — one that Helping Harvest is determined to address. Food insecurity, often invisible to the casual observer, affects a surprising number of local residents. According to the United Way of Pennsylvania, 21% of Berks County residents and 20% of those in Schuylkill County do not have sufficient incomes to afford the basic costs of living.
The statistics are sobering. Nearly 24,500 children under 18 in these counties live in poverty. More than 38,000 school-aged children (over 52% of the student population) are eligible for free and reduced lunches. In total, more than 110,000 people in Berks and Schuylkill Counties qualify for food assistance.
Helping Harvest's approach to tackling this issue is multifaceted and innovative. Its Weekender Program, for instance, addresses a critical gap in childhood nutrition.
"We provide about 4,300 of those bags of food which are distributed to elementary school sites," Worrall explains. This initiative ensures that children who rely on school meals during the week don't go hungry over the weekend.
The organization's 23 mobile markets represent another creative solution. These drive-through distributions bring food directly to communities, eliminating transportation barriers for many families.
Helping Harvest's philosophy extends beyond mere food distribution. It prioritizes nutritious options, with a focus on frozen and refrigerated items that offer healthier choices. This commitment to quality nutrition underscores its holistic approach to combating hunger.
Moreover, the organization plays a crucial role in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment. By helping clients navigate the complex application process, Helping Harvest ensures that more families can access sustained food support.
Through these varied programs and a deep understanding of local needs, Helping Harvest is not just feeding the hungry — it is nourishing hope and fostering resilience in Berks County.
To get a better sense of the impact Helping Harvest's programs create, watch this short video from Blink Studios celebrating last year's 40th Anniversary.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, it could have been a catastrophe for Helping Harvest. Instead, it became a powerful testament to the resilience and generosity of the Berks County community. Worrall recalls the sudden, dramatic shift:
"In March of 2020, before we all knew what COVID was, Helping Harvest distributed 140,000 pounds of food, which was normal distribution for us. The next week, when the schools closed, we did 340,000 pounds.”
This unprecedented surge in demand could have overwhelmed the organization. However, what unfolded was nothing short of inspiring. "I've never worked with people who worked harder, and I've never felt more supported by the Berks County community than I did in those first few months of the pandemic," Worrall shares.
The community's response was swift and heartwarming. Local leaders, businesses and individuals stepped up in remarkable ways. Worrall recounts a particularly moving example: "Tammy White, the president of the United Way, would call and say, 'Jay, what do you need?' And I would say, 'Tammy, I need trucks.' And Tammy would work her network, and we suddenly had several local businesses delivering food for us."
This spirit of collaboration extended throughout the community. Companies like R.M. Palmer, Alvernia University and PennDot released its employees from work but paid them to volunteer at the food bank; New Castle Lawn & Landscape sent its CDL drivers. The generosity was overwhelming — from donated forklifts to volunteer truck drivers, the community rallied to meet every need.
For Worrall and his team, these challenging times revealed the true heart of Berks County. "I knew there were good and generous people in Berks County, but I did not know just how good and just how generous they were until I came here," he reflects.
The pandemic also accelerated positive changes within Helping Harvest. It developed powerful new relationships, made operational improvements that would have taken years under normal circumstances and saw a dramatic increase in public understanding of food insecurity.
This period of crisis, while undoubtedly challenging, ultimately strengthened Helping Harvest and deepened its connections within the community. It stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together in times of need.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, it could have been a catastrophe for Helping Harvest. Instead, it became a powerful testament to the resilience and generosity of the Berks County community. Worrall recalls the sudden, dramatic shift:
"In March of 2020, before we all knew what COVID was, Helping Harvest distributed 140,000 pounds of food, which was normal distribution for us. The next week, when the schools closed, we did 340,000 pounds.”
This unprecedented surge in demand could have overwhelmed the organization. However, what unfolded was nothing short of inspiring. "I've never worked with people who worked harder, and I've never felt more supported by the Berks County community than I did in those first few months of the pandemic," Worrall shares.
The community's response was swift and heartwarming. Local leaders, businesses and individuals stepped up in remarkable ways. Worrall recounts a particularly moving example: "Tammy White, the president of the United Way, would call and say, 'Jay, what do you need?' And I would say, 'Tammy, I need trucks.' And Tammy would work her network, and we suddenly had several local businesses delivering food for us."
This spirit of collaboration extended throughout the community. Companies like R.M. Palmer, Alvernia University, and PennDot released its employees from work but paid them to volunteer at the food bank; New Castle Lawn and Landscaping sent its CDL drivers. The generosity was overwhelming — from donated forklifts to volunteer truck drivers, the community rallied to meet every need.
For Worrall and his team, these challenging times revealed the true heart of Berks County. "I knew there were good and generous people in Berks County, but I did not know just how good and just how generous they were until I came here," he reflects.
The pandemic also accelerated positive changes within Helping Harvest. It developed powerful new relationships, made operational improvements that would have taken years under normal circumstances and saw a dramatic increase in public understanding of food insecurity.
This period of crisis, while undoubtedly challenging, ultimately strengthened Helping Harvest and deepened its connections within the community. It stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together in times of need.
As Helping Harvest emerges from the challenges of recent years, it's not just recovering — it's reimagining the future. The organization is poised to launch an innovative initiative that promises to revolutionize its approach to fighting hunger in Berks County.
At the heart of this vision is the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen, a groundbreaking project located in the center of Reading.
"What we are developing now is called the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen, located right next to the GoggleWorks on Washington Street in Reading," Worrall explains with enthusiasm. "It will be a commercial kitchen facility where we will take food packaged in bulk for hotels, restaurants and commercial food organizations and create heat-and-eat ready meals that we'll package frozen for our clients."
This new facility addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. It allows Helping Harvest to efficiently process bulk food donations that were previously difficult to distribute, opening up new avenues for food sourcing.
"Before, if somebody called us and said, hey, we have a skid of 40-pound boxes of chicken, we didn't really have anything to do with that. But now we will," Worrall notes.
Moreover, the community kitchen will serve as a teaching facility, providing culinary arts skill training to individuals from various backgrounds, including those coming from incarceration, recovery programs or facing intellectual challenges. This dual-purpose approach not only helps feed the community but also empowers individuals with valuable job skills.
The project also responds to the evolving needs of Helping Harvest's clients, particularly seniors. "The way that we serve seniors now is primarily by giving them a box of food with ingredients to cook or canned goods," Worrall explains. "We think that heat-and-eat microwave-ready meals are a much better nutritional intervention for seniors and other people that we serve."
This forward-thinking initiative embodies Helping Harvest's commitment to innovation and holistic community support. By providing not just food, but nutritious, ready-to-eat meals and valuable job skills, Helping Harvest is truly teaching people to fish, creating a space where good food, love, care and compassion come together to nourish both body and soul.
As this new chapter unfolds, Helping Harvest stands ready to meet the future needs of Berks County with creativity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to ending hunger in our community.
As Helping Harvest emerges from the challenges of recent years, it's not just recovering — it's reimagining the future. The organization is poised to launch an innovative initiative that promises to revolutionize its approach to fighting hunger in Berks County.
At the heart of this vision is the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen, a groundbreaking project located in the center of Reading.
"What we are developing now is called the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen, located right next to the GoggleWorks on Washington Street in Reading," Worrall explains with enthusiasm. "It will be a commercial kitchen facility where we will take food packaged in bulk for hotels, restaurants and commercial food organizations and create heat-and-eat ready meals that we'll package frozen for our clients."
This new facility addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. It allows Helping Harvest to efficiently process bulk food donations that were previously difficult to distribute, opening up new avenues for food sourcing.
"Before, if somebody called us and said, hey, we have a skid of 40-pound boxes of chicken, we didn't really have anything to do with that. But now we will," Worrall notes.
Moreover, the community kitchen will serve as a teaching facility, providing culinary arts skill training to individuals from various backgrounds, including those coming from incarceration, recovery programs or facing intellectual challenges. This dual-purpose approach not only helps feed the community but also empowers individuals with valuable job skills.
The project also responds to the evolving needs of Helping Harvest's clients, particularly seniors. "The way that we serve seniors now is primarily by giving them a box of food with ingredients to cook or canned goods," Worrall explains. "We think that heat-and-eat microwave-ready meals are a much better nutritional intervention for seniors and other people that we serve."
This forward-thinking initiative embodies Helping Harvest's commitment to innovation and holistic community support. By providing not just food, but nutritious, ready-to-eat meals and valuable job skills, Helping Harvest is truly teaching people to fish, creating a space where good food, love, care and compassion come together to nourish both body and soul.
As this new chapter unfolds, Helping Harvest stands ready to meet the future needs of Berks County with creativity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to ending hunger in our community.
Innovation on the Horizon
As we close the chapter on Helping Harvest's inspiring journey, we're reminded that true perseverance often reveals itself in the face of unprecedented challenges. From navigating the turbulent waters of a global pandemic to reimagining the future of food assistance, Helping Harvest has not just overcome obstacles — it has used them as stepping stones to greater impact. Its story is a testament to the power of community, innovation and commitment to a noble cause. As Helping Harvest continues to evolve, expanding its reach and refining its approach, one thing remains constant: its dedication to nourishing both the bodies and spirits of those it serves. In the heart of Berks County, Helping Harvest reminds us all that when we come together, we can overcome any challenge and create a future where no one goes hungry.
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