In this series, Beyond the Table, we explore the root causes of hunger across our service area, spotlight the advocates working to address those issues and share ways you can join in to help us seek long-term solutions for our communities. Together, we can go beyond the table and work toward a future where everyone has the resources they need to thrive.
Food Insecurity in Fayette County
In Fayette County, hunger quietly persists in the lives of far too many neighbors. Nearly 20,300 residents—about 1 in 6 people—face food insecurity. That means thousands of families, seniors and children are struggling to afford or access the nutritious meals they need. It’s a reality that often goes unseen. Fayette County has a poverty rate of approximately 17.2%, which is notably higher than both the Pennsylvania (11.8%) and national average (11.5%).
The data is troubling: One in five children in Fayette County may not have enough to eat, which can impact their ability to learn, grow and stay healthy. And for older adults, the burden is heavy too—14% of seniors in the county live at or below the poverty line, many juggling rising costs of medication, rent and utilities with too little left for groceries.
In Fayette County, the challenge goes beyond income — access is a major barrier. Getting to the food is half the battle. As we’ve described in our other blogs covering rural counties in our service area, full-service grocery stores are often scarce in rural communities, and public transportation options are limited or nonexistent. That makes a simple trip for food an expensive and time-consuming endeavor—if it’s even possible at all.
Parents of local school children have shared how timing and transportation complicate efforts to access charitable food distributions. Some pantries operate during the workday, making it hard for working families to attend. Others are located far from major cities, requiring a car—and gas money—that not every household has. As a result, many well-intentioned food programs still fall just out of reach for the families who need them most.
Food insecurity in Fayette County is a challenge shaped by distance, timing, and economic strain. But with a community-driven approach and a focus on accessibility, we can help ensure no neighbor is left behind at the dinner table.
Impact through Partnership
In Fayette County, we partner with Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank (FCCAA Food Bank)– Fayette County’s designated warehouse for the collection and storage of food for individuals in need of food assistance. Each year, the FCCAA Food Bank distributes over 2 million pounds of food to more than 30,000 neighbors. The food is distributed through a network of volunteer food pantries, congregate feeding sites and soup kitchens. Other programs include emergency food assistance for anyone who is food insecure, the PA Senior Food Box program and the Weekend Snack Pack program, which provides children with a backpack filled with food for the weekend. FCCAA Food Bank also has an on-site Shop-Thru which mimics a grocery store where neighbors can go through and select their own items.
We support our partner FCCAA Food Bank in two main ways: by providing funds on account which allows them to purchase food from our inventory for free; and through impact grants when they need equipment, supplies or other financial assistance.
This year we awarded an impact grant to the FCCAA Food Bank to support the installation of a new insulated swing door system, replacing their deteriorating cooler doors. Rather than opting for a simple repair or direct replacement, the food bank saw an opportunity to improve both safety and efficiency. The new swing doors help maintain the proper cold temperatures needed for food storage, while also allowing staff to move in and out of the cooler more easily using pallet jacks. This upgrade eliminates the need for staff to repeatedly dismount, open the door manually, and remount—streamlining operations and enhancing overall workflow. The result is a more efficient operation that allows FCCAA Food Bank to focus their energy on what matters most: getting nutritious food to neighbors in need.
Our Work in Fayette County
In addition to our close partnership with FCCAA Food Bank, we work with 63 additional partners in Fayette including food pantries, hot meal programs and child nutrition partners to distribute food to neighbors who are food insecure. Last year, we awarded more than $18,000 in impact grants to our partners in the county to support them. Impact grants fund needs such as equipment, food and staff.
We also host a monthly drive-up distribution in Uniontown to supplement the food families receive through our network. During this event, neighbors drive to the site, where each vehicle receives a family-sized portion—approximately 50 pounds of food—with a focus on fresh produce and frozen protein. In our current fiscal year, we’ve distributed over 450,000 pounds of food to 29,000 neighbors in Fayette County. Of that, nearly 278,000 pounds have been fresh produce.
How You Can Help
There are many ways to get involved with our work in Fayette County. You can get involved with the Food Bank in three simple ways:
1. Advocating for anti-hunger policies with your local and state officials that help neighbors facing food insecurity. Start by signing up for our Advocacy Newsletter to receive timely alerts on current actions and ways to alleviate food insecurity.
2. Volunteering at a Fayette County distribution.
3. Donating to support programs and operations that make our mission possible in Fayette County. Every $1 donated to the Food Bank can help provide up to 3 meals to neighbors in need. Unlike going to the grocery store, we work directly with manufacturers, retailers, local farmers and government agencies to source foods in mass quantities (some of which would have otherwise gone to waste) for distribution.
Are you in need or want to give back to an organization in Fayette county? Visit our Food Finder Tool and type in “Fayette county” when prompted to enter an address or ZIP Code.