The 1889 Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Cambria County Backpack Project (CCBP) to expand its work addressing childhood food insecurity throughout Cambria County.
The Cambria County Backpack Project provides nutritious, ready-to-eat weekend meals for children who would otherwise go hungry when school meals are unavailable. The program currently serves more than 650 students weekly across 10 school districts, with peak enrollment exceeding 700 children.
Food insecurity remains a significant issue in the region. According to Feeding America, one in five children in Cambria County experiences hunger. The 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey reports that 21.9% of students worry about running out of food, and 10.8% have skipped meals due to financial hardship. The CCBP works to bridge that gap by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for children and families most in need.
The organization’s impact continues to grow through a series of innovative initiatives, including:
- CCBP North Site: Opened in February 2024, serving five rural school districts and reaching over 225 children in remote areas where transportation challenges previously limited participation.
- Summer Weekend Food Program: Provides critical weekend nutrition to children at four community feeding sites during summer months.
- Youth Café Market: A partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank offering fresh produce to at-risk children in Johnstown, where the poverty rate is 32.9%.
- Community Connections Referral Tool: Links families to essential resources such as SNAP benefits, employment support, and financial wellness programs.
The CCBP’s approach aligns closely with the 1889 Foundation’s mission to improve and transform the overall health and wellness of the region. By addressing food insecurity among children, the organization directly supports better physical health, stronger cognitive development, and improved academic outcomes — all essential to a thriving community.
Through this $30,000 grant, the 1889 Foundation continues its commitment to strengthening community systems, building partnerships, and supporting initiatives that create lasting health improvements. The collaboration with the Cambria County Backpack Project reinforces the shared goal of ensuring that no child in Cambria County faces hunger on the weekends or during school breaks.