Our Mission
The mission of Chop Out Hunger is to create an entire generation that doesn’t know hunger through innovative and collaborative outreach partnerships.
“You Have to Do Something”
CHOP Out Hunger was founded out of a deep concern for the well-being of children facing food insecurity. The organization began when Dani Ruhf, Founder and CEO, learned from her daughter that if students didn’t have lunch money, they didn’t eat. Disturbed by this reality, Dani took action, creating a backpack program that provided students with food to take home each week, ensuring they had enough to eat over the weekend when school meals were unavailable. In 2019, Dani expanded her efforts by establishing an in-school pantry at one school, offering a more accessible and discreet way for students to receive the food they needed. These initiatives quickly gained momentum, and what started as a grassroots effort soon grew into a significant operation. Today, CHOP Out Hunger serves over 50,000 students weekly across 21 counties in Pennsylvania. The organization has developed a range of programs to meet the diverse needs of food-insecure children and families. The Backpack Program remains a cornerstone of their efforts, while the In-School Pantries have been implemented in numerous schools, helping to reduce the stigma associated with hunger and empowering students to self-advocate. From its humble beginnings, CHOP Out Hunger has grown into a vital community resource, driven by a passionate commitment to ending child hunger. Through its comprehensive and compassionate approach, the organization continues to make a profound impact, ensuring that every child has access to the food they need to thrive.
Our Commitment to Accountability
CHOP is focused on expanding our mission. We believe in being fully transparent to ensure we are making the largest impact.
Our Reach
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Bradford
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Cameron
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Columbia
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Elk
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Lackawanna
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Luzerne
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Lycoming
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McKean
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Monroe
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Montgomery
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Montour
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Northumberland
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Pike
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Potter
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Schuylkill
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Sullivan
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Susquehanna
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Tioga
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Warren
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Wayne
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Wyoming
Our Programs
Backpack Program
Backpack Program provides students with a bag of nutritious food to help them through the weekend. Each bag contains easy-to-prepare meals, fresh produce, and other healthy items that require minimal preparation, empowering even young children to meet their own food needs. This program ensures that students have access to nourishing meals outside of school, reducing hunger over the weekend.
In-School Pantries
In-School Pantries provide high school students with convenient, self-serve access to nutritious food right on campus. Open to all students, these pantries offer grab-and-go snacks as well as food items to take home for meal preparation. The self-policing model encourages students to take responsibility for their own needs, fostering self-advocacy while ensuring they have the resources to stay nourished both at school and at home.
Pop Up Pantries
Pop Up Pantries bring nutritious food directly to communities in need. With a box truck stocked with pantry staples, fresh produce, frozen meats, and dairy, we set up mobile distribution sites to ensure food access for everyone, regardless of income. These pop-up events create an immediate and flexible solution to hunger, providing families with the essentials they need in a convenient and accessible way.
Summer Meal Programs
Summer Meal Programs ensure that students continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out of session. Leveraging our strong community partnerships and sourcing capabilities, these programs bridge the gap for children who rely on school meals during the year, providing them with the essential nourishment they need to thrive, even when classes are not in session.
Veteran’s Vision
The Veteran’s Vision program is the newest initiative to provide nutritional support to veterans, active-duty military, and their families across Pennsylvania. This initiative ensures that those who have served or are currently serving have access to essential, nutritious meals. By addressing food insecurity within the military and veteran community, A Veteran’s Vision strengthens their well-being and provides much-needed relief to individuals and families who may face challenges in securing regular, healthy meals. The program delivers meals directly to veterans and military households through coordinated efforts with local partners and community organizations. To support this program, please donate here.
ElderShare
In partnership with the Central PA Food Bank, CHOP delivers a monthly box of nutritious food to low-income, isolated seniors to improve their health, access nutrition, and support their well-being.