Photo submitted to the Times Observer From left are Lincoln Sokolski, representing the Sokolski Family Fund; Breanna Watts, vice president of development at the Second Harvest Food Bank; Tim Huber, chairman of the Community Foundation of Warren County; Mike DelPrince, Oversight Committee president of the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund; Martha Betts, representing the Richard T. Betts Family Foundation; and Mark King, executive director of the Community Foundation of Warren County.

Northwest Bank, in partnership with Erie News Now and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, helped collect more than 34,000 pounds of food – including 4,774 in Warren County – as part of its 25th annual Erie News Now Food Drive.

The drive included donation of 610 turkeys and $161,816 in monetary donations, the highest amount in the drive’s 25-year history, to support families across Northwest Pennsylvania.

A significant portion of the financial donations came from the agencies of the Community Foundation of Warren County. The local foundations and funds came together to donate $80,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.

Nine Northwest Bank financial centers served as drop-off locations, with community members contributing non-perishable food items, frozen turkeys, and financial gifts. All donations will remain in the communities where they were collected, directly benefiting local families facing food insecurity.

At the Warren location people donated more than 4,774 pounds of food, including 113 turkeys and $96,117 dollars.

“This year’s record turnout was inspiring,” said Jennifer Gibson, region president, executive director retail banking, Northwest Bank. “We saw neighbors helping neighbors, and it reminds us of the power of community and the role we can all play in helping support each other through the ups and downs of life.”

Northwest Bank has supported this initiative since 2004. Employees played a hands-on role again this year volunteering across its nine donation sites.

This food drive is part of Northwest Bank’s broader Season of Giving, which runs now through December 19. During this time, each financial center partners with a local organization to support specific needs such as winter clothing, toys, or care packages for veterans.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support,” said Gregory Hall, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “With the increase in need we are seeing right now, these donations are more important than ever. The community truly showed up. Thank you to the Northwest Bank team, Erie News Now and everyone who took time to donate.”

A combined $80,000 has been donated to Second Harvest of Northwest PA specifically to assist Warren County residents, through efforts of several area foundations. The surge of generosity began with a $20,000 gift from the Sokolski Family Fund, a donor-advised fund managed through the Community Foundation of Warren County. The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors then pledged a $20,000 matching grant, followed by another $20,000 from the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund, also held at the Foundation. The effort was completed with a final $20,000 donation from the Richard T. Betts Family Foundation, bringing the total support for Warren County to $80,000.

THe single contribution represented nearly half of all monetary donations collected across the 11 counties participating in the regional food drive, which raised more than $161,000 in total.

Donors cited the significant strain created by recent federal cuts to USDA programs that supply Food Banks, along with delays in SNAP benefits. They hope their support will inspire others to assist local food pantries during this heightened period of need.

“The need is great, and Warren County always steps up with incredible generosity–something all residents should be very proud of,” said Mark King, executive director of the Community Foundation.

Second Harvest of Northwest PA, which supports 36 food pantries, mobile units, veteran and senior programs, and soup kitchens throughout Warren County, has experienced a $1 million loss in funding, amounting to a 25% reduction in its food purchasing budget. The delay in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown has further driven up demand, straining pantry inventories, and volunteers.

“Our community understands that when our neighbors are hurting, we respond,” said Tim Huber, chairman of the Community Foundation of Warren County. “This partnership shows what can happen when local families, organizations, and foundations work together to make a meaningful difference.”