Second Harvest Food Bank, a key player in the fight against food insecurity

2025, Erie (USA)

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania is a leading organization in the fight against food insecurity in northwestern Pennsylvania. Each year, it collects, stores, and distributes thousands of tons of food through an extensive network of community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and specialized community programs. Serving 11 counties across Pennsylvania, Second Harvest leverages the strength of the national Feeding America network to provide more than 10 million meals each year. Beyond food distribution, the organization is deeply committed to raising awareness about hunger, promoting nutrition education, and engaging communities around this critical social issue.

In this context, the John Cockerill Foundation is proud to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania in support of an innovative, high-impact initiative: the Second Harvest Marketplace. This new free community grocery store, which opened in October 2025, is located within the UPMC Community Center, at the heart of one of Erie’s largest food deserts. The first store of its kind in Erie County, the Marketplace enables more than 180 families each week to freely choose healthy food options in a modern, welcoming, and dignified environment.

The Second Harvest Marketplace goes far beyond food distribution. In addition to groceries, participants have access to essential support services, including:

assistance with administrative and benefit enrollment processes,
nutrition education programs,
health guidance and wellness resources.

This comprehensive approach is designed to strengthen self-sufficiency, promote dignity, and support the long-term well-being of participating families.

(FR) 180

(FR) familles servies chaque semaine

(FR) Près de 350

(FR) bénéficiaires/semaine

In a region where more than 40,000 individuals, including 12,500 children, face food insecurity, the Marketplace fills a critical gap. It provides an accessible solution for families who are isolated or lack reliable transportation, while also relieving pressure on partner organizations, such as local churches and community agencies that are often operating at capacity.

The John Cockerill Foundation’s commitment includes:

direct financial support for food procurement for the Marketplace over a two-year period;
active engagement from John Cockerill Energy North America teams, who regularly volunteer on-site to support logistics and food distribution operations.

This ambitious project reflects the John Cockerill Foundation’s mission to reduce inequality, combat poverty, and sustainably improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations.