SMETHPORT — One in five children in McKean County don’t know where their next meal will come from.
That’s according to a proclamation issued Tuesday by McKean County commissioners during their regular meeting.Toward ending hunger in our communities, commissioners proclaimed September 2024 as Hunger Action Month “in order to bring attention to the issue of food insecurity in our communities and to mobilize the public in the movement to end hunger.
“Hunger and food insecurity are issues of vital concern in McKean County,” the proclamation read, adding, “14.7% (of county residents) experience food insecurity.”
It continues to note that “the fight against hunger requires engaging a wide range of public and private entities including policymakers, business leaders, food banks, community organizations, and concerned citizens.”
Celeste Makay, advocacy coordinator at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, attended the meeting on Hunger Action Day.
Based in Erie, Second Harvest serves 11 counties in northwestern Pennsylvania, including McKean, Elk and Cameron. According to its website, Second Harvest, with the help of 395 member agencies and distribution partners such as food pantries, soup kitchens including Bradford’s Friendship Table, shelters and other non-profit organizations, distributes 12 million pounds — or more than 10 million meals — each year.
Makay said a national report has indicated that food insecurity has increased another 1% in Pennsylvania and across the country.
“Our work is incredibly important and Second Harvest is grateful to be the lead agency in McKean County,” Makay said. “We look forward to working with your county until hunger no longer exists.”
She explained Second Harvest is “in a unique position as an agency” being able to acquire food at lower costs. “We can provide eight meals where you might be able to get one at the grocery store. So it’s a multiplying effect that allows us to make a huge impact.”
To learn more about Second Harvest or to make a donation, visit nwpafoodbank.org.
Also during the public comment period, Bradford resident Richard Thomas returned to update commissioners regarding his wish for a railroad overpass on Bolivar Drive in Bradford. He suggested commissioners reach out to Eldred Borough officials who have been successful in securing infrastructure funding for water and sanitary system improvements there, as reported in Saturday’s Era.
Carolyn Newhouse, Bradford Area Alliance executive director, noted that she assisted Thomas in registering his proposed project. She said North Central liaison Amy Kessler “had an upcoming meeting with PennDOT on transportation priorities and needs, and was putting (Thomas’s project) on the agenda. There would be a long road ahead, but at least it has visibility.”
Newhouse attended the meeting to invite commissioners to the Alliance’s upcoming Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition Pitch Event on Oct. 17 at Pitt-Bradford.
She said the application deadline was last week and, with 51 applicants, the event has surpassed last year’s total. Now in its fifth year, more than 175 applicants have entered the contest.
Commissioner Chairman Tom Kreiner said, “It’s nice to see how that program has grown since its inception.”
Commissioner Marty Wilder added, “The pitch event itself is interesting and fun.”
During the regular business portion of the meeting, commissioners approved radio end-user agreements with 33 county police, fire and ambulance agencies from Bradford Regional Airport to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police Department.
American Rescue Plan Act fund distributions were approved for a $67,500 match for computer software if the county is approved through the Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Funds were also approved for community development/parks and recreation projects in Port Allegany at $20,000 and in Mount Jewett at $20,000. For blight remediation/infrastructure projects, Ceres Township was approved for $38,637 and Mount Jewett OK’d for $11,105.05.
Commissioners also approved employee assistance program (EAP) agreements through Aug. 31, 2025 — one for Public Safety at $2,738.29 and another for Total Care at $7,300.26. Further, an administrative Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) data sharing agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and an engagement agreement with The Reschini Group for Affordable Care Act reporting were both approved.
Commissioners will hold their next regular meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 24.
