A Food For Life Committee was formed to address food insecurity and food deserts on Blair County. Meetings are scheduled the third Wednesday of the month at 3:00 pm.
Accomplishment and Activities to Address Poverty:
Operation Five Loaves (O5L) was a program started in April 2020 after a study showed a service gap in food security for individuals who did not have easy access to food distribution sites due to lack of transportation, physical limitations, or fear of leaving their homes due to the covid-19 pandemic. The program was created to address nutrition insecurity, especially for individuals with disabilities. Each box of food that was delivered was an opportunity for CILSCPA to connect with individuals and help them to improve their immunity and wellness.
Another outcome of O5L was a collaboration with Altoona Family Physicians and the UPMC Altoona Dental Clinic. Community volunteers distributed boxes of food at the Diabetes and Dental Clinics. Patients were offered these boxes filled with fresh produce. Opportunities were offered that included discussions about the effects of healthy food choices and good nutritional practices on patient’s overall health.
In collaboration with community partners, a work group organized and sponsored ten Poverty Simulation events with over 1019 participants and volunteers. Please contact us if your group is interested in a poverty simulation.
The Food For Life Committee developed a Community Produce Cookbook in order to provide individuals with simple and healthy recipes.
Blair County was one of twelve counties from across the country to be chosen by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Programs to receive community coaching on efforts to reduce childhood poverty with an emphasis on youth connections. Check out our Youth Connection Task Force page for more information.
Blair County was one of twelve counties from across the country to be chosen by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to receive community coaching on efforts to address housing.
