CHOP Updates

CHOP Out Hunger and A Veteran’s Vision are proud to announce a new partnership aimed at addressing food insecurity among veterans and their families across Pennsylvania. This collaboration comes in response to a critical need in the state, where over 9% of households receiving food assistance include a current or former member of the military.

After months of planning and coordination, the two organizations are launching an initiative to provide much-needed meals to veterans and their families. This effort reflects a shared vision and deep commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

“Both CHOP Out Hunger and A Veteran’s Vision share mutual respect and a commitment to serving our communities,” said Dani Ruhf, Founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we can make a greater impact and ensure that no veteran or their family goes without the meals they need.”

Ty Holmes founded A Veteran’s Vision to support local military members and their families with resources and community events. fAs part of this partnership,  A Veteran’s Vision will integrate into the CHOP Out Hunger team while continuing to focus on assisting veterans in various ways. The collaboration aims to not only provide immediate relief to veterans facing hunger but also to work toward sustainable solutions for long-term food security.

Further details about this initiative will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, those interested in supporting this effort can donate here.

CHOP Out Hunger and A Veteran’s Vision thank their community stakeholders and supporters for their continued generosity and commitment to helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and their families.

CHOP’s Pasta Dinner Fundraiser will be held on October 20, 2024. With three pick up locations, donors can select a convenient location to pick up their complete meal with salad, pasta, meatballs prepared by Pettinato’s Restaurant in Carbondale, PA. Students from the Susquehanna County Career Technology Center will prepare dessert. All proceeds benefit CHOP Out Hunger’s programs and will provide a child with a week’s worth of food.

Orders are accepted online here. For questions please contact Bailey by email or at 570-721-2288

We were honored to meet with Kari Natishak from Tuscarora Wayne Insurance Company, who won their monthly trivia competition and generously chose CHOP Out Hunger as the beneficiary! Each month, the trivia winner receives $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. Pictured here are Bailey Ruhf, Vernon Bacorn, Nicole (Pooh) Ruhf, Kari Natishak, and her daughter, celebrating this incredible contribution to our mission of feeding kids in need.

We are thrilled to announce that Dani Ruhf, Founder/CEO and Amanda Colegrove, Grant Specialist, have been invited to speak at the prestigious Pennsylvania Farm to School Network Institute! This event is a significant platform for professionals dedicated to promoting farm-to-school initiatives and sustainable food practices, and we couldn’t be prouder to have Amanda representing us.

Amanda Colegrove’s Presentation: “Feeding Change: Grant Strategies & Tips for Successful Grant Applications”

Amanda Colegrove will be presenting on the opening day of the Institute. Her session, titled “Feeding Change: Grant Strategies & Tips for Successful Grant Applications,” promises to be an invaluable resource for attendees. With her extensive experience in securing funding for community food programs, Amanda will share practical strategies and insightful tips to help organizations navigate the often complex world of grant applications.

Key topics Amanda will cover include:

• Identifying the right grants for your organization
• Crafting compelling grant proposals
• Building relationships with grantors
• Leveraging data to strengthen your application
• Common pitfalls to avoid in the grant application process

Amanda’s expertise and passion for food justice and community empowerment will undoubtedly inspire and equip participants to secure the funding they need to drive meaningful change in their communities.

Dani Ruhf’s Panel Discussion: Best Practices in Collaboration with Community Partners and Food Sources

The excitement doesn’t stop there! On the following day, Dani Ruhf will participate in a panel discussion focusing on best practices in collaboration with various community partners and food sources. Collaboration is a cornerstone of successful farm-to-school initiatives, and Dani’s insights will shed light on how to build and maintain effective partnerships.

Key discussion points will include:

• Identifying and engaging key community partners
• Building trust and mutual respect in collaborations
• Innovative approaches to sourcing local food
• Overcoming challenges in collaborative efforts
• Measuring the impact of partnerships on community health and sustainability

Dani’s experience in fostering strong community relationships and her dedication to improving food systems make her a perfect fit for this panel. Attendees can look forward to gaining practical knowledge and inspiration to enhance their own collaborative efforts.

Scranton, PA : CHOP Out Hunger, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing childhood hunger in Pennsylvania, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $2,500 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation. This generous funding will directly benefit CHOP’s Backpack and In-School Pantry Programs.

“We deeply appreciate the M&T Charitable Foundation’s dedication to combating childhood hunger,” expressed Dani Ruhf, Founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. “This grant will enable us to provide essential food assistance to children who are struggling with food insecurity in our community.”

CHOP’s Backpack Program ensures that children have access to nutritious meals and snacks during weekends and school breaks when regular meal programs are unavailable. The In-School Pantry Program is self-monitored, empowering students to advocate for their own nutritional needs. It offers grab-and-go snacks and food items that students can take home and prepare.

This grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation will be pivotal in helping CHOP reach more children in need. With their support, CHOP can continue to bridge the gap and ensure no child in the community goes hungry.

CHOP Out Hunger
Attention: Vended Meal Service

CHOP Out Hunger, a sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), is requesting bids from food service management companies for vended meal service.

Specifications may be obtained from Dani Ruhf (dani@chopouthunger.org).

All bids must be submitted no later than 5/10/24.

You open up the cupboard and check the date at the top of the can… It’s two months past it – so you toss it. But before you judge a can by its date make sure you know what it actually means!

If you’ve tossed a food item because it is past the date printed, you are not alone. According to a study from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ninety percent of Americans misinterpret the dates on labels, whether it’s a “sell by,” “best if used by,” or “use by” label.

In fact, the ONLY food items that are required to have an expiration date, are infant formula and some perishable food items. So, here’s what you need to know to prevent food waste the next time you reach into your pantry.

We’re excited to offer two Summer Fun Programs that are free for kids ages 8-17. Both locations will offer lunch, snacks, and daily activities. See the information below. Help us plan ahead by registering your child(ren) today!

☀️Towanda Summer Fun Program

• Held at the Towanda CHOP Branch: 2 Elizabeth St., Towanda
• Mondays & Tuesdays (June 26 – August 1)
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Register: https://bit.ly/towanda-summer-fun-23

☀️Sullivan County Summer Fun Program

• Held at the Mattern Building: 7406 Route 487, Mildred
• Mondays & Tuesdays (July 3 – August 8)
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Register: https://bit.ly/sullivan-summer-fun-23

Journey Fitness Sayre is excited to announce Fitness for a Cause, a series of three Spartan Races, which help raise funds for Child Hunger Outreach Partners (CHOP). The goal is to raise $10,000 to fight child hunger in our local communities.

Participants have the opportunity to participate in any of the following events:

• Tough Mudder 5K, 10K, 15K and Infinity: September 10-11
• Citizens Bank Park Spartan Stadion: September 17
• Tri-State NJ Tri-fecta: October 1-2
• DEKA World Championships: November 20

These events are open to everyone so you can join the fight against childhoold hunger.  This is not just for Journey members. 30% of every race entry will be donated to CHOP when participants use the Fitness for a Cause race code. In addition, participants will receive course coaching from the Journey Fitness coaches.

To learn more or to participate in one of the events, please click here or visit Journey Fitness Sayre’s Facebook page.