Government Food Assistance Programs
State Food Purchase Program (SFPP)
As the lead agency for the State Food Purchase Program in Erie, Forest and Clarion Counties, Second Harvest receives funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to purchase nutritious food that we might not ordinarily receive as donated product. Second Harvest purchases the food from brokers at reduced prices. The program also includes funds for Second Harvest to apply to the handling fee that emergency member agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, Kids Cafes and shelters) in these two counties pay for certain donated food items.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Second Harvest serves as the lead agency for storing and distributing government food in three counties – Erie, Forest and Clarion. Provided through The Emergency Food Assistance Program, this food is distributed at no cost to our member food pantries, which in turn distribute the groceries to their clients. This high quality food includes frozen and dry products in retail-size packaging for use in homes. TEFAP reimburses Second Harvest for part of our cost of obtaining and distributing the food; Second Harvest absorbs the other part of the cost. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees this federal program in our area. This program was formerly known as “USDA Food,” and the familiar symbol still appears on some of the packaging.
TEFAP Food Distribution Schedule
FOREST COUNTY
North Clarion/Marienville Food Pantry
201 North Forest Street
Marienville, PA 16239
Distributes on 4th Friday of the month, 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Western Forest County Food Pantry
219 Elm Street
Tionesta, PA 16353
Distributes on 2nd Wednesday of the month, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
CLARION COUNTY
Red Bank Food Pantry
300 Broad Street
New Bethlehem, PA 16242
Distributes on 3rd Tuesday of the month, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
St. Michael’s Food Pantry
18766 Route 208
Fryburg, PA 16326
Distributes on 4th Tuesday of the month, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Zion Baptist Church Jesus
114 Zion Road
Clarion, PA 16214
Distributes on 2nd Monday of the month, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon