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Volunteers continue to be the backbone of the Central Pa. Food Bank’s mission

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has been working on overdrive since the pandemic hit Pennsylvania and organizers say they don’t foresee the need slowing down anytime soon.

Joe Arthur, the Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, said “There are two engines that make this mission go, volunteers and then giving donations. Donations of food, donations of money.”

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has been working non-stop for almost a year.

“Right now, we’re sharing food at the highest pace we have in the entire pandemic,” said Arthur.

The Executive Director says the organization had to move to the farm show complex in Harrisburg just to keep up with the need.

It’s not only to have more space to store pallets upon pallets of food, but they also needed space to allow the volunteers to social distance.

Continue Reading on Fox 43

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Lack of target outreach of COVID-19 vaccine distribution missing mark on Latino, immigrant communities

Published on in People

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online is already hard for some.

“There is a real digital divide that the Coronavirus has exacerbated by putting everything online. That means that we are excluding people who don’t use the internet,” said Josie Flor Sapunar from Wearecasa.

Now imagine not being able to speak the language. That is the problem that some Latino and immigrant communities are facing in the Commonwealth.

“We have to take into account the language in which we’re doing the outreach. and we have the registration materials. if everything is only in English–that means people who don’t speak English– or who can’t read or write English are not included in this decision.”

Casa—A Latino an Immigration advocacy organization in Central Pennsylvania says they receive about five calls per day about where and how they can register to get the vaccine.

Continue Reading on Fox 43

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The pandemic’s impact on love and relationships

Published on in People

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we’re taking a deeper dive into how the pandemic has impacted relationships.

Since the pandemic has slowed down the court systems, it’s hard to know the effects of stay-home orders on marriages nationally, but Couples at Crossroads co-founders and divorce attorney Marc Scaringi talked about what’s really going on in Central Pennsylvania.

“Everybody’s stressed. Individually they’re stressed,” Dr. Jake Thiessen said.

He and his partner Dr. Nicolee Hiltz created Couples at a Crossroads, a marriage counseling center in Lemoyne.

Since the pandemic started, their schedules began booking up fast with couple looking for guidance.

Continue Reading on CBS 21

Nurses sue two central Pa. health systems over secretive ‘non-poach’ worker recruitment agreement

Published on in People

WILLIAMSPORT– Three registered nurses claim a secret “no-poach” agreement that existed between Geisinger and a hospital near Lewisburg affected their ability to earn a competitive salary.

Their suit filed Wednesday against Geisinger and Evangelical Community Hospital is related to an anti-trust suit the federal government brought in August to stop Geisinger from acquiring 30 percent ownership of the Lewisburg area hospital.

Both suits contend the two-hospital arrangement announced in February 2019 restrains trade and reduces competition.
The collaboration was touted as a way for Evangelical to remain independent but strengthen its relationship with Geisinger to better serve the community and patients.
The nurses – Nichole Leib, Kevin Brokenshire and Diane Weigley – say in their complaint the agreement not to recruit each other’s healthcare workers likely existed before May 2015 and continued until the Justice Department filed suit.
Continue Reading on Pennlive

Central Pennsylvania digging out after three-day snow event

Published on in People

Franklin county and parts of central Pennsylvania are still digging out from the winter storm that dropped an average of 1.5 feet of snow in the Cumberland Valley.

According to Barry Lambert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College, Waynesboro received 12.9 inches of snow while Greencastle, just down Route 16, topped out at 14 inches.

Other locations in the area reporting significant snow totals are Fort Ritchie, Maryland, with 24.8 inches of snow, Shippensburg with 15.2, Newville with 16.3 and Carlisle with 11.4 inches of accumulation.

“Snowfall started Sunday morning around daybreak and it lingered until early Wednesday,” Lambert said. “It was a three-day storm and having that is very unusual. Most storms don’t last that long they usually wrap up in about 18 hours. Having this one last over 72 hours is about a once-in-a-decade type of event.”

While many took to area ski slopes and the backyards to enjoy winter activities, another storm has the possibility of leaving a few more inches across central Pennsylvania later in the week.

Continue Reading on The Record Herald

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Central Pa teen organizes shoe drive, donates to Haiti and Africa

Published on in People

A local teen is making a big difference in the lives of many by collecting and donating 1,825 pairs of shoes to those in need.

Alisa Pryor, a senior at Waynesboro Area Senior High School, first came up with the idea to start collecting after watching a video online of a similar collection of shoes.

“I always wanted to do something like a community service project, and this was a great opportunity to do that,” Alisa said. “I partnered up with funds2orgs.com and started collecting shoes in July of 2020.”

Alisa said that over the past six months, she has collected shoes from her classmates at WASHS as well as numerous community members and local businesses where she put collection bins.

“We collected sneakers, flip flops and heels boots, just about every type of shoe you can imagine we had in all sort of sizes for children to adult sizes,” Alisa said. “We posted it on social media, and from there it just grew and more people donated; the response was just overwhelming.”

Continue Reading on The Record Herald

Penn State Suspends Sigma Chi Fraternity Through 2024 for ‘Significant’ COVID-19 Violations

Published on in People

Penn State has suspended the Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity through summer 2024 following alleged “significant violations” of COVID-19-related policies, the university announced Monday.

Sigma Chi entered interim suspension on Oct. 2 after Penn State’s Office of Student Conduct investigated allegations made against the fraternity relating to violations of the university’s COVID-19 guidelines and State College’s ordinance. At the time, the fraternity appealed a finding of responsibility.

According to a university statement, Sigma Chi hosted “a large gathering” that broke COVID-19 protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing.

The suspension follows a history of alleged conduct violations within the fraternity. In a news release, the university cited multiple violations of alcohol and drug-related regulations filed against Sigma Chi over the last two years.

Although Penn State provided “accountability, education, and guidance,” Sigma Chi continued engaging in behavior that warranted policy violations, according to the university.

Continue Reading on State College

Pandemic-friendly activities you can do this weekend

Published on in People

We’re in a pandemic, it’s winter and many events we hoped to attend this season have been canceled. If you’re feeling the winter blues more than usual this year, there is still plenty to explore outside and unique experiences from right in your home.

Here is a list things you can do this weekend!

1. Blue Knob Ski Resort

There’s nothing better to do in the winter than hit the slopes. If skiing isn’t your style, Blue Knob also has a snow tubing park opened this weekend. The two-hour tubing session must be scheduled in advance, which can be done on their website. And when you’re ready to unwind, the Blue Knob Clubhouse Restaurant will be open for dine-in service. For takeout orders, call 814-239-1024.

2. Snowmobiling Trails

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, snowmobiling might be up your alley. In Cameron County, the Sinnemahoning State Park and Sizerville State Park offer easy access to the trail system in the nearby Elk State Forest, giving riders endless opportunities or adventure.

Continue Reading on We are Central PA

Seniors leaving Central PA to get vaccine, point to uneven distribution

Published on in People

Area seniors are taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s distribution plan even if it doesn’t benefit our area.

Many are recruiting family and friends to help them get a coveted appointment, on Wednesday CBS 21’s Ryan Eldredge spoke with a 66-year-old woman from Palmyra who just recently made a trip to a Geisinger health center in Danville to get dose one.

Viola Hoy went from Palmyra to Danville, an hour and thirty minute trip, to get dose one and says she would do it again in a heartbeat.

“I think it’s worth it. Go as far as you gotta go. Especially people my age, go get it you know Because you never know,” said Hoy.

Continue Reading on CBS 21

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Days of Caring | Collecting Donations for Food Banks

Published on in People

The coronavirus pandemic has forced more and more residents in our community to turn to food banks to weather the storm.

“Hunger is a huge problem in Central Pa. during normal times,” said Renewal by Andersen general manager Linda Johnston. “The pandemic has only heightened the need for that and the food banks are struggling. All of them the small food pantries as well as the large food banks.

That’s why Renewal by Andersen says it was so important for them to help out residents in their time of need.

“We have partnered with retailers all throughout central Pennsylvania to collect food donations. The community has been amazing. We have collected close to 100,00 pounds of food. We’ve also started collecting pet food for the pet shelters,” said Johnston.

Continue Reading on CBS 21

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Phone outage affects 911 call centers in multiple Central PA counties

Published on in People

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — UPDATE: Lumen Telecommunications released the following statement on Wednesday.

“.. 911 calls made by Pennsylvania residents in most of the areas surrounding Adams, Bedford and Butler Counties have been successfully rerouted and are being answered. Our technicians are still working hard to resolve a 911 service disruption for some customers in the areas surrounding Cumberland, Franklin, Junita, Perry and York Counties in Pennsylvania.”

Franklin County has a list of phone numbers for local Fire, Rescue and Police Departments on it’s website.

Previously:

The outage also appears to be affecting portions of Cumberland and Adams counties as well.

Continue Reading on Fox 43

Food Infrastructure Recovery Grant Program addresses food security

Published on in People

HARRISBURG — In 2019, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection initiated the Food Infrastructure Recovery Grant Program to address food security.

Funded through the commonwealth’s Recycling Fund, the grant program provides grants of up to $200,000 to Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations to purchase equipment that preserves food, like refrigeration units, for example.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank was a recipient of the highest amount of the grant program, $200,000, and was able to acquire three refurbished refrigeration trucks, as well as the van to enhance the work that they were already doing, Central Pennsylvania Food Banks Executive Director Joe Arthur said during last week’s “Feeding Pennsylvanians, Reducing Waste” panel discussion on food security in Pennsylvania.

“So that really had a direct impact during COVID-19 and actually rescuing a lot more food,” said Arthur.

Arthur has been fighting hunger through the food bank and other endeavors. The food bank is a nonprofit organization where their mission is fighting hunger, improving lives and strengthening communities within the territory of 27 counties in central Pennsylvania, including Clearfield County.

Continue Reading on The Courier Express

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Some central Pennsylvania counties take part in emergency rental assistance program

Published on in People

LANCASTER, Pa. — Several Susquehanna Valley counties will be among those taking part in the emergency rental assistance program.

The program is part of the new COVID-19 legislation passed by Congress and aims to help those unable to pay rent or utilities due to the pandemic.

Participating counties

According to the U.S. Treasury website, the following Susquehanna Valley counties will participate in the federal rent relief program:

  • Cumberland
  • Dauphin
  • Lancaster
  • York

Those counties and others will share $25 billion to assist households.

Eligibility for rent assistance

In order to be eligible, a household must qualify for unemployment or experience a loss of income or financial hardship, demonstrate a risk of becoming homeless or have a household income below 80% of the county median.

Continue Reading on WGAL

Harrisburg mandates vaccine for city employees

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The City of Harrisburg announced all city employees will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is the first municipality in Pennsylvania to mandate vaccination for its employees.

Under new federal guidelines released this week by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers can require workers to get the vaccine and can bar them from coming into the workplace if they refuse.

“Frankly this is the right thing for employers to be doing. I would call on other employers to also mandate the vaccine,” said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The decision to mandate vaccinations comes after about half of the city’s 400 employees said they would not volunteer to take the vaccine.

Continue Reading on Fox 43

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TEGNA Foundation helps Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank now has some extra money to spend helping Pennsylvanians, thanks to FOX43’s parent company, TEGNA.

FOX43 General Manager Chris Topf presented a $10,000 check to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Tuesday.

It is from grant money from the TEGNA Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that serve our communities.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank has increased its need by more than 50 percent, helping communities and families who never thought they would need the help.
The executive director of the food bank, Joe Arthur, says this money will help serve 60,000 meals.
Continue Reading on Fox 43

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Nursing home staff fighting for improved contracts after change in ownership

Published on in People

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — This past November, Embassy Healthcare acquired a series of nursing homes across central and western Pennsylvania, including AristaCare at Hearthside in State College.

Danielle Fox, a licensed practical nurse at Hearthside for the past 15 years, says the new contracts they were offered through Embassy are not enough to support safe and quality care.

“They want to increase our health insurance by 60%, cut our PTO time, get rid of our sick time,” says Fox. “Among this pandemic we shouldn’t have to worry about health costs going up.”

In protest, a group of healthcare workers and their supporters from the Service Employees International Union gathered outside their facilities this afternoon. Fox says many of these people have worked in healthcare for over 20 years.

Continue Reading on We Are Central PA

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Jessica Coyne, who works for Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center, receives a band-aid after she got her COVID-19 vaccination from Jennifer Stokes, a registered nurse from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.

Local healthcare systems expand COVID-19 vaccine availability to community healthcare personnel

Published on in People

On Monday, Penn State Health and Geisinger Health announced their plans to expand their COVID-19 vaccine availability to community healthcare personnel throughout central Pennsylvania.

Individuals who quality include “Tier 1A healthcare personnel,” which include chiropractors, school or university clinical personnel, nurses, physicians, EMS workers, medical students, and non-affiliated healthcare providers–as outlined by the Pa. Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination plan.

In addition to the community healthcare workers, Geisinger employees who have yet to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are included in this opportunity.

According to Penn State Health, “the health system is holding vaccination clinics for [phase 1A personnel] at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Holy Spirit Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center.” The vaccinations are made by appointment only.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

Housekeepers: the pandemic’s hidden heroes

Published on in People

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — They’re people in our area who are providing a lot more than just life-saving sanitation. They’re helping to warm hearts and spread smiles.

“I’ve been here thirty-two years. It became real busy when we became the COVID area,” said Lori Morse, a Housekeeper at UPMC Williamsport.

Lori Morse, like housekeepers everywhere, is among the countless frontline workers who haven’t slowed down since the pandemic ramped up last March. But it’s more than just the work she does at UPMC Williamsport that her colleagues say makes her so special during these tough times.

“I see Lori quite frequently, and I can tell you I absolutely love her,” said Alexandra Winther, an RN at UPMC Williamsport. “I have the biggest smile on my face when I see her in the morning, knowing that my patients are in great hands.”
Continue Reading on WNEP

Mail for some in central PA still arriving late amid ‘perfect storm’ created by virus

Published on in People

At age 68, Fredericksburg resident Barbara Hynum has never had a late check before.

That is, at least, before the late autumn of this year, when, due to delays in mail delivery, she racked up more than $100 in late fees.

“I sent my Comcast bill on Dec. 3. I just got an email yesterday saying, ‘thank you for your payment.’ I got a $10 fee,” she said. “I was raised not to pay my bills late.”

Hynum, who says she has always sent checks early, does not trust the mail anymore.

“On occasion, I didn’t receive mail; at least two times, mail was not picked up,” Hynum said. When she called to inquire about why, she was told that the postal worker was sick. Hynum added that she is considering going online to make future payments.

Continue Reading on Lebanon Daily News

South Central Community Action Program steps up in face of historic need in 2020

Published on in People

WAYNESBORO, Pa. — 2020 has been a busy year for organizations like the South Central Community Action Program.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to more people in need, and SCCAP has been there to help out.

The organization serves Franklin and Adams counties and has many types of programs, with food and rental assistance taking center stage during the pandemic. During this time, SCCAP has come across more people than ever before.

According the Megan Shreve, CEO of SCCAP, the organization provided food assistance to 13,000 individuals — 4,000 new in 2020.

The Gleaning Project, designed to lower food waste and hunger, harvested 520,000 pounds of fresh produce and distributed it to 35,460 people.

Continue Reading on Herald Mail Media

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