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.
CHOP Out Hunger feeds nearly 50,000 Pennsylvania students a week through the weekend backpack program and in-school pantry. As we are so very fortunate to have a network of community partners, the stark reality the need continues to grow while the resources do not.
CHOP Out Hunger has compiled a list of some of the most desired pantry staples that the kiddos just devour. We invite you to support our efforts to CHOP Out Hunger through our CHOP Cabinet Amazon Wishlist.
CHOP Out Hunger has received a generous donation from VISIONS Federal Credit Union. The credit union’s employees generously contributed $711 to the organization through their dress down day program, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the community.
This contribution will directly support CHOP Out Hunger’s mission to provide nutritious meals to children in need throughout Pennsylvania. The organization is grateful for VISIONS Federal Credit Union’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of local residents.
We are excited to announce a transformative partnership between CHOP Out Hunger and AGAPE: Love from Above To Our Community. This collaboration is set to greatly enhance our mission to fight childhood hunger across Columbia, Northumberland, and Montour Counties.
Since our founding in 2019, CHOP Out Hunger has been a dedicated champion for children facing food insecurity throughout Pennsylvania. With successful branches in Towanda and Scranton, we provide thousands of meals to hungry children each week. Now, with our partnership with AGAPE, we are expanding our impact even further.
AGAPE has been a vital resource for hundreds of individuals in Columbia and Montour Counties, providing essential support like food, clothing, and financial assistance. Recognizing our shared commitment to improving our communities, CHOP Out Hunger and AGAPE have come together to make an even greater difference.
CHOP Out Hunger will now take the lead on children’s meal programs in these counties, establishing our third branch, CHOP Out Hunger – Bloomsburg. We will work closely with AGAPE’s dedicated volunteers and utilize their warehouse space to pack and distribute weekend backpack meals and in-school pantry items, following our proven model.
This partnership represents a major milestone in our mission to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food. We are thrilled about the positive impact this collaboration will bring to our community.
We are thrilled to announce that Dani Ruhf, the Founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger, has been selected as one of only 15 individuals to join the exclusive Chick-fil-A Leadership Cohort. This prestigious recognition comes from the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator by Plywood People, a highly competitive program designed to empower nonprofit organizations for sustained community impact. Out of thousands of international applicants, Dani’s leadership and commitment to fighting hunger have earned her a place in this transformative 10-month program, which offers comprehensive training, growth opportunities, and valuable networking sessions. The program blends virtual and in-person sessions, aiming to enhance the leadership skills of nonprofit executives like Dani.
As part of her journey, Dani will participate in an interactive seven-week online course tailored to help problem solvers navigate the direction of their ideas. This course dives deep into the foundational elements of “who, why, and how” to establish a strong organizational groundwork. Participants engage with challenging questions and connect with a supportive community. Through the program, Dani will follow a proven problem-solving method, learn from dozens of influential social entrepreneurs, engage in peer discussions, and attend weekly sessions.
In addition, Dani will also benefit from an intensive three-day curriculum developed in response to the growing need for nonprofit leaders to enhance their skills, receive project feedback, and advance their ideas. This focused 3-Day Retreat on Development includes personalized advising and covers foundational areas essential for nonprofit leaders.
We are incredibly proud of Dani and her commitment to CHOP Out Hunger. Her participation in the Chick-fil-A Leadership Cohort signifies a significant step forward in our mission to combat hunger and create lasting change in our communities.
But here’s the deal: while you’re busy getting ready for the new school year, you can also score a sweet new bag for yourself! That’s right, Purse Lotto is back this September!
Here’s how it works:
Tempted by the chance to win a whole month’s worth of purses? Check out some of the amazing bags that will be up for grabs throughout the month
Ready to win? Grab your Purse Lotto tickets here and support a great cause! Let’s fill those backpacks and pantries, and fill your closet with some fabulous new bags!
Don’t miss out – Purse Lotto starts this September!
CHOP Out Hunger (CHOP) is thrilled to announce the generous award of a $15,000 grant from the Scranton Area Foundation (SAF) as part of the 2024 Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle.
This critical funding will directly support CHOP’s Weekend Backpack and In-School Pantry programs, ensuring students facing food insecurity have access to meals throughout the week.
“We at CHOP Out Hunger are just full of gratitude by the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s amazing generosity!” says Dani Ruhf, CEO/Founder of CHOP, “This grant is a game-changer, allowing us to keep those weekend backpacks filled for kids who count on those meals and a for the In-School Pantry program too – this means students can get the food they need for themselves and their families.”
CHOP’s Weekend Backpack program provides nutritious, kid-friendly meals to students experiencing food insecurity. Each backpack is filled with enough food to sustain a child over the weekend, ensuring they return to school on Monday ready to learn and grow. The In-School Pantry offers students and their families access to emergency food supplies throughout the school week.
We’re lacing up our shoes and getting ready to move for a cause! Athletico-Pivot continues to host the 10th annual Walk for Hunger throughout the entire month of July!
Join us in the fight against hunger! This year, we’re challenging our community to walk or run a collective 101.5 miles in July. Whether you walk with a partner, turn it into a team challenge, or conquer the miles on your own, every step counts towards supporting CHOP Out Hunger.
Here’s how you can participate:
Together, let’s keep moving and CHOP Out Hunger!
CHOP Out Hunger, a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating childhood hunger in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is thrilled to announce a $15,000 grant from the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation. This generous funding will directly support the expansion of CHOP’s in-school pantry and backpack programs within area school districts.
“We are incredibly grateful for the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation’s commitment to fighting childhood hunger,” said Dani Ruhf, Founder/CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. “We currently have an extensive waitlist, with this funding, we will be able to feed hundreds of kids.”
CHOP’s in-school pantry program provides students with access to food items throughout the school week. The backpack program ensures children have nutritious meals over the weekends and during school breaks when regular meal programs are unavailable.
This grant from the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation is critical as childhood hunger rates continue to rise across the country. Thanks to their support, CHOP Out Hunger will be able to close the gap and ensure no child goes hungry.
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 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:
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.
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:
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.
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