570.485.5050

Blog

CHOP Out Hunger named Non-profit Organization of the Year

CHOP Out Hunger has been awarded the prestigious 2024 SAGE Award for Non-Profit Organization of the Year! This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence in community impact, financial stability, strategic alliances, and mission-driven service.

The award was presented at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Gala on Friday, November 1, 2024, celebrating the incredible efforts of local organizations working to uplift northeastern Pennsylvania. Out of nearly 80 applicants, CHOP Out Hunger was chosen as the organization that exemplifies the spirit of community support and sustainability.

In accepting the award, our Founder and CEO Dani Ruhf shared, “We’re so honored and humbled by this recognition—never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be here tonight. I want to thank the volunteers, donors, and partners who have journeyed with us to make this possible.”

Since our founding in 2019, CHOP Out Hunger has grown from serving 45 students a week to now reaching over 45,000 students weekly across Pennsylvania. Thanks to supporters like you, we’re able to build a stronger, hunger-free future for children and families in need.

Read more

🎉 Purse Lotto Fundraiser is Back! 🎉

It’s that time of year again—our popular Purse Lotto is here, and tickets are available now! 🎟️✨ Get ready for daily lottery drawings starting January 1st, with chances to win designer handbags every day!

🎁 Gift Idea Alert 🎁 – Purse Lotto tickets make a perfect gift for friends and family or a treat for yourself! Each ticket is only $25, giving you multiple chances to win while helping feed children and families in our community.

💸 How It Works:

  1. Purchase your ticket(s) for just $25 each.
  2. Keep an eye out—daily winners will be drawn starting January 1st! Be sure to join our Facebook group and tune in live!
  3. Win a designer purse and make a difference!

Don’t miss out! Secure your tickets now to be part of the excitement and help CHOP Out Hunger continue its mission to fight hunger in our community.

Read more

CHOP Out Hunger and A Veteran’s Vision Announce Partnership to Provide Meals for Veterans Facing Food Insecurity

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.

Read more

Delicious Pasta Dinner Fundraiser – Support CHOP Out Hunger on October 20th!

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

Read more

Tuscarora Wayne Insurance Company Trivia Winner Chooses CHOP

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.

Read more

CHOP Out Hunger with Amazon Wishlist

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.

SHOP HERE

Read more

CHOP Out Hunger Receives Donation from VISIONS Federal Credit Union

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.

Read more

CHOP Out Hunger Partners with AGAPE to Combat Childhood Hunger in Columbia, Northumberland, and Montour Counties

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.

Read more

CHOP Out Hunger’s Dani Ruhf Joins Prestigious Chick-fil-A Leadership Cohort

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.

Read more

Back to School and Bags of Fun with Purse Lotto!

School bells are about to ring, and that means backpacks are getting filled and pantries are getting stocked for countless kids across the state.

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:

  • Every ticket you buy enters you to win a different purse, every single day in September! There’s no limit to how many tickets you can purchase, and there’s no limit to how many prizes you can win!

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!

Read more
Skip to content