HIP Eradicating Food Insecurity Initiative

Mission

The mission of the Eradicating Food Insecurity (EFI) initiative is to utilize a STEAM-based education model to eradicate food insecurity in the Greater Hazleton Area. This initiative will focus on expanding partnerships with several existing food programs while creating new programs that directly impact food insecurity and other societal issues affecting our community. 

Model

HIP's model is to enable students to analyze and drive solutions for the root causes of food insecurity in the Hazleton area. A select group of high-achieving high school student volunteers from HIP Corp United will are working collaboratively, providing insight and critical examination of this issue, as well as other social justice issues. Equipped with the latest technological tools, resources, and professional mentorships, these student-led committees will maximize innovative approaches and drive solutions in the communication, legislation, logistics and food supply chain processes. Additional emphasis will focus on the impact of food insecurity and poverty on mental health.

Programs

Central to our Eradicating Food Insecurity Model is fostering several partnerships with existing programs across the state and nation; and creating new programming options to support all facets of food insecurity challenges within our community.

These include:

• HIP EFI Weekly Food Distribution: Working with CEO and the Weinberg Food Bank, HIP’s weekly food distribution currently serves over 300 families with both shelf stable and fresh foods, and we anticipate increasing that to 500 families by the end of the year. 

• HIP EFI No Hungry Children: Through a collaboration with the Wilkes-Barre Dinners for Kids, HIP provides healthy, culturally appropriate, microwaveable meals to hundreds of underserved children six days a week.

• HIP EFI Community Dinners: Our partnership with Soul Kitchen now provides a sit-down dinner serving over 250 people in our center on the third Friday of every month.

• HIP EFI Take Home Chef: HIP has partnered with Fork-Over-Love and local restaurants distributing 800 take-out meals each month via drive-up / “car-hop” distribution system.

• HIP EFI Fresh Food Pantry: HIP is partnering with Geisinger Health Systems, Lehigh Valley Health Network and other regional health professionals to develop a program to provide fresh food as a prescription to improve health outcomes for those suffering from conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. (slated for fall/winter’23)

Support

The Eradicating Food Insecurity initiative is the recipient of 11 endorsements from elected officials, business groups, social service organizations, and universities. 

We have also received generous support from MUZO for equipping our new STEAM lab with their technologically-advanced, functional education furniture.

Volunteer

We are grateful for our community partners! If you, or your business / group, are interested in volunteering, please contact Deb Mills, EFI Program Director.