Fetterman, McCormick must support TEFAP

• Gregory D. Hall, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, stresses the importance of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
• Dominic Gardunio, a candidate for the North East School Board, outlines his platform, emphasizing educational excellence and student support.

TEFAP is a win-win for farmers and hungry families

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania works hard to support families, seniors, veterans and children facing hunger every day. Going to any grocery store, it’s clear that food prices continue to stay out of reach for our neighbors in need. This is leading to rising demand for support from Second Harvest and our partner food pantries, soup kitchens and schools.

We need strong federal programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to support this vital need. TEFAP provides over 20% of the food moving through the Feeding America network of food banks and faith-based pantries, connecting surplus American-grown food to families experiencing hunger while also supporting farmers and rural economies.

The program is a critical lifeline for working families. TEFAP helps food banks ensure these families can access the nutritious food they need. Without it, Second Harvest faces longer lines, fewer resources and puts greater strain on our communities.

TEFAP is a win-win: It helps American farmers and puts nutritious food on the tables of hardworking families experiencing tough times. We hope to work with Sen. Dave McCormick and Sen. John Fetterman to ensure that no bills under consideration include reductions to food assistance programs that might jeopardize negotiations for a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill.

The longer a Farm Bill is delayed, the longer food banks, American agriculture, rural communities and working families must wait for critical investment in TEFAP.

Gregory D. Hall, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania

Candidate outlines primary bid for North East School Board

For the past 28 years I have called North East home. I am honored to be a Grape Picker of the North East School District, and I am proud to continue to advance picker pride by running to serve on the North East School Board.

If elected, I will push to continue our educational excellence and inspire our students’ future endeavors. As a proud alum, I want to help our students see the endless ways they can make our community, both locally and nationally, a better place. The teachers of the North East School District are the unsung heroes of every student, past and present. Their teaching and guidance have created much success, and they should be commended for their passion for educating our children.

Education has and always will be a priority for me. I want to continue fostering what I was taught by my excellent teachers. Learning opened doors for me to understand who I am and what I wanted to do as a productive member of society. I want to inspire and motivate our students to ensure that their dreams are attainable. If they work hard and have the support from their teachers, school administrators and parents, then the world is their oyster.

As a community leader, I want to help grow the next generation with the best educational facilities, teacher support, and academic excellence.

For many, I have been a constant fixture in your daily life by serving you at our local grocery store. Now I want to serve you by earning your vote in the May 20th school board primary.

I will ensure that every student enrolled in our district will have a safe and secure learning environment and the tools to leave the district to lead successful lives. I will work with my future colleagues on the school board to have all the students seen and ensure teachers have the material to create the best learning experience.

In closing, I quote former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Let us not be afraid to help each other — let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of Democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials but the voters of this country.”

It takes all of us together to keep our democracy alive for the next generation. I hope you will join me in this crucial local election to fight for our children’s future.

Dominic Gardunio, North East