On the afternoon of July 13, representatives and volunteers from four organizations met in the parking lot of the New Holland Mennonite Church. Piled in the parking lot were skids of food items, including a large quantity of chicken products provided by Tyson Foods.

The food distribution event was one of several on a tour that unites Tyson, Feed the Children, and Americold, a cold storage transporter, with a local partner - often a school - to help provide the community with nutritious food. Locally, the three entities partnered with New Holland Early Learning Center (NHELC) with a goal of providing food items to 400 area families.

Albert Gonzales, human resources manager, with Tyson Foods in New Holland, explained that the problem of hunger involves logistics rather than scarcity. Rural areas may have less access to food and limited feeding program support. Gonzales noted that the Tyson facility in New Holland produces products for the National School Lunch Program. "Child nutrition is very important to us," he said.

Dawn Ranck-Hower, pastor of New Holland Mennonite Church, noted that church members grow produce on the grounds to help feed NHELC families and donate to the CrossNet Ministries Nutrition Center. "Approximately 41% of the 124 children at the center are low-income," she explained. "Their lives are difficult even without a pandemic interruption. We are grateful for the protein and dry goods to supplement the fresh vegetables our families are getting."

Other speakers at the event included Joe Allegro, senior director of corporate partnerships for Feed the Children; Donald Herrington, New Holland Borough Council president; Scott Cox, general manager for Lancaster-Area Americold; Tina Thompson, outreach director for Sen. Ryan Aument; and Priscilla Eberly, chief of staff for Rep. David Zimmerman.

Nadine Larkin, assistant school superintendent for the ELANCO School District, spoke of the importance of good nutrition for school-age children. She noted that the district's strategic plan includes working with community partners to provide environments, opportunities, and resources designed to eliminate barriers to learning. "By working with people such as Feed the Children or NHELC, we make sure families have access to food, supplies, and services that are essential to the success of our children," she said. Allegro noted that food items for an NHELC pantry and school supplies would be donated to the organization.

"We want children coming to school ready to learn, explore, and grow because their basic needs have been met," said Larkin.

Ranck-Hower concurred, saying, "My prayer for this event is that we would bring help and hope to these families in our community."