The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Operating as an affiliate of Feeding America and Feeding Pennsylvania, the organization distributes nutritious food through a network of nearly 1,100 partner agencies and programs across 27 central Pennsylvania counties. The Food Bank has grown from its origins in a converted movie theater in Steelton to a multi-hub distribution organization with facilities in Harrisburg, Williamsport, and Hollidaysburg (opened in 2025).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.7M
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$270K
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+0.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Ending hunger by providing nutritious food, fostering community collaboration, and advancing innovative solutions.
The organization's core focus is reducing hunger across central Pennsylvania. In fiscal year 2024, the Food Bank provided nearly 58 million meals to the region. The organization serves approximately 268,000 people in need each month, with 58% of those served being working families with children. Current hunger statistics indicate that one in eight central Pennsylvanians, including one in six children, face food insecurity daily.
Program Areas:
- BackPack Program: Provides nutritious food to children for weekends when school is not in session
- Elder Share: Delivers one box of nutritious food to senior citizens monthly
- Kids Cafe: Provides nutritious daily meals through after-school meal programs
- Fresh Express: Mobile distribution programs expanding reach into underserved areas
- MilitaryShare: Program serving military-connected populations
- Capacity Building Initiatives: Strategic funding for partner agency development and expansion
Grantmaking
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank maintains a permanent endowment dedicated to strategic initiatives and building capacity with partner agencies. Established in 2009, the Food Bank has provided $5.5 million in funding for capacity improvement grants to partner organizations, supporting expansion of mobile distribution programs and innovative community initiatives.
Ready to take the next step with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves 27 counties across central Pennsylvania, operating three regional distribution hubs:
- Harrisburg (main facility, expanded to 75,000 square feet in 2012)
- Williamsport (added in 2002, major expansion in 2016)
- Hollidaysburg (opened in 2025)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 - June 2024):
- Total Revenue: $132,641,856
- Total Expenses: $134,353,693
- Total Assets: $39,749,151
- Net Assets: $35,732,577
- Total Liabilities: $4,020,000
Financial Efficiency:
- Administrative and fundraising costs comprise only 3% of total expenses
- 97% of expenses are invested directly into programs
- For every $1 donated, the Food Bank provides 4 meals
Staffing: 171 employees (as of 2024)
Financial Rating: The organization holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 100% score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,749,151 | $40,445,568 | $41,756,494 |
| Revenue | $132,641,856 | $116,568,128 | $105,777,464 |
| Expenses | $134,353,693 | $119,645,143 | $109,167,693 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $417,831 | $782,138 | $819,532 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank: Youth Programs Grant
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOOD BANK
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Conagra Brands Foundation Capacity-Building Grant
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOOD BANK
Amount
$50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Highmark Blue Shield Grant for Senior Hunger Programs
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOOD BANK
Amount
$35,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Shila Ulrich
Executive Director: Joseph Arthur
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID ARK | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| OLIVIA EDWARDS RINDFUSS | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| PATRICIA HUSIC | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| STEVEN MERRILL | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JIM ADAMS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RYAN ADAMS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARSHA CURRY-NIXON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARIANNE DEPASQUA | DIRECTOR RETIRED DEC.2023 | 2 | — |
| DR ORALIA DOMINIC | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CAROL GAUKER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GARY GILLIAM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GLENNIS HARRIS | DIRECTOR RETIRED DEC.2023 | 2 | — |
| ALLISON HESS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| REBECCA LUPFER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LEAH MALLETT | DIRECTOR RETIRED DEC.2023 | 2 | — |
| KATHLEEN MCKENZIE | DIRECTOR, RETIRED DEC 2023 | 2 | — |
| ERIC PATTON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| FRANK PELLEGRINO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KRIS POLLICK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| VALERIE PRITCHETT | DIRECTOR, RETIRED DEC 2023 | 2 | — |
| JESSICA RITCHIE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN ROOF | DIRECTOR, RETIRED DEC 2023 | 2 | — |
| SCOTT SHERRY | DIRECTOR RETIRED DEC.2023 | 2 | — |
| SHILA ULRICH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ASHLEY VISCO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOSEPH ARTHUR | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $248,135 |
| AMANDA HAFFLY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $112,230 |
| JENNIFER POWELL | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $174,524 |
| DERICK FRITCHEY | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $158,254 |
| LISA KREIDER | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFIC | 40 | $138,555 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Food Bank has received significant grant support in recent years:
**PNC Foundation:** $100,000 grant supporting job creation
Central PA food bank granted $100,000, creates new jobs**PPL Foundation:** Emergency funding for food distribution
PPL Foundation announces emergency funding for food**Cold Chain Refrigeration Grant:** Support for refrigeration infrastructure to expand fresh, healthy food distribution capacity
Central PA Food Bank receives grant for \u2018cold chain\u2019 refrigerationThe organization continues to expand its physical infrastructure and service capacity, with the 2025 opening of the Hollidaysburg Healthy Food Hub representing a strategic expansion into additional service territory.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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