That’s what happened to Trina a few months ago. As a mother of two, Trina has her hands full. She works hard to provide for her family, but lately, her paycheck just wasn’t enough to cover the high costs of rent, utilities, food, childcare, and diapers. She had to make some tough choices. Some weeks, she was skipping most meals in order to have enough for her kids.

Thankfully, Trina’s childcare provider referred her to a United Way partner agency for some help keeping food on the table as well as other supports she needed to gain financial stability.

1 in 7 children in Lancaster County is food insecure.

According to data compiled by Feeding America tells us that right here in Lancaster County, just over 33,500 residents are food insecure. That includes 1 in 7 children. Food insecurity in our community is a large-scale issue that requires us to think big and forge solutions that address the issue from multiple angles.

Thanks to donors like you, this year United Way is investing nearly $600,000 in programs in our community that help grow financial stability for our neighbors, including access to emergency food and prepared meals. When we come together, we can strengthen our community and make life better for our neighbors, like Trina and her children, and many others.

“Everybody matters.”

Yolanda volunteers with one of United Way partner agencies on a regular basis, assisting with weekly food distribution in her neighborhood.

“Everybody matters,” she says. “I may not remember names, but I refer to neighbors as ‘friend.’ I try to remember which produce they like the most and am excited when I can say, ‘we have avocados today’ or whatever I know they like. To be able to hand someone cabbage is such a simple thing, but it is pretty incredible to get to do that.”