It was a pleasure meeting some of the dedicated CHOP team, Lynne Hunting (left) and Koren Clark (right), program managers at the Scranton location. CHOP works to help fight childhood hunger. There are no income verification requirements to utilize the program. CHOP provides programs such as: their In-School Pantry—allowing students to be able to grab food whenever needed; the Backpack Program—helping to combat the need for food at home when students are not in school; the Summer Meal Program, as well as their Pop-Up Pantry program, allowing families to access food in surrounding local communities.

CHOP humbly began serving 45 middle school students in Towanda, PA after the founder’s daughter shared on her first day of middle school, that if students did not have lunch money, they simply didn’t eat. She begged her mother to do something. After hearing the shocking news, Dani knew in addition to a nutritious meal, these children also needed an advocate. So, she went to work.
Since 2018, CHOP has grown to serve tens of thousands of students weekly in Pennsylvania. As they move closer to meeting their mission of ending childhood hunger, CHOP continues to build partnerships across the country and to launch program branches to support this initiative.

Text @CHOP2021 to 81010 for weekly announcements on CHOP information and volunteer needs. Please contact me if you would like to be contacted for GCU group volunteer events with CHOP.

Melissa Cohen