Mercer County Food Bank hosts 2nd annual Ready, Set, Go, Orange

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The Mercer County food bank is taking advantage of Hunger Action Month by doing just that by taking action through collecting food and monetary donations ahead of the Holiday Season.

On Friday, groups of volunteers participated in a pack-a-thon. Each group worked 2-hour shifts, collecting food items, sorting through them, before boxing or bagging them and moving them into the warehouse to be stored, or shipped out to local food pantries.

The Mercer County Food Bank is among the smallest in the country, and serves more than 16,000 residents countywide. That's why the eight employees and several hundred volunteers are proactive about stocking up on supplies now, ahead of winter months when food security is at its highest levels.

"We're estimating in Pennsylvania alone about 144,000 folks that will lose their snap benefits and will ultimately end up in a food line," said Rebecca Page, executive director at the food bank.

Ready, Set, Go, Orange will run through Friday evening, featuring friendly competitions between volunteer groups to see who can collect the most food.
Organizers hope to exceed last year's goal of 2,000 boxes.