There are a lot of barriers that prevent community members from obtaining a job and that make even existing difficult. One of these barriers that was recognized by PA CareerLink® Lancaster County team was food insecurity. Over the program year 2024, we have seen an increased number of community members who have some sort of food insecurity and who were coming into job search on an empty stomach.
Limited food can affect the mind and body. It is proven that lack of nutrients can impair cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and decision-making which can lead to brain-fog and fatigue. It can also cause people to be more irritable, have increased anxiety and depression, along with affecting their mood. These effects can not only hinder the person and their daily functions but also affects them being able to show employers the full potential they can offer.
Knowing this barrier exists in Lancaster County and if affecting our community from obtaining sustainable employment, PA CareerLink® Lancaster County moved to make a difference under the leadership of Chris Roggenbaum who launched Alice’s Kitchen in partnership with the Junior League of Lancaster, PA.
“Food insecurity is a concern in Lancaster County. Through working with partners, as well as customers, this became a passion for the team at the PA CareerLink® Lancaster County. We see customers coming in who are either unemployed or underemployed and are unsure of where their next meal will come from. We were fortunate to partner provisional class members for the Junior League of Lancaster, PA. They assisted us with launching Alice’s Kitchen, an on-site food pantry for our customers in need. We are able to maintain Alice’s Kitchen due to donations from community members, staff, and partners. “ — said Chris Roggenbaum, Site Administrator of PA CareerLink® Lancaster County.
Alice’s Kitchen is an on-site food pantry at PA CareerLink® Lancaster County that holds a variety of food and drinks for community members who need food while they utilize the services at PA CareerLink® Lancaster County. Clients can utilize the pantry with no questions asked; you can go into it, grab a snack, eat it in the eating area, and continue to build skills/job search. Thanks to donations from community members, staff, and partners; Alice’s Kitchen has been a resource that has been regularly supporting the Lancaster County community with their job search in a way that not many people think of. We offer this service in conjunction with referrals to local food banks within Lancaster County. With this support, clients are able to get the nutritious that they need to function and job search to their full capacity.
PA CareerLink® Lancaster County is committed to assisting the Lancaster County community to obtain sustainable employment no matter what the barrier is. As we come to the one-year anniversary of Alice’s Kitchen existing, we have seen an influx of participants making use of the opportunity to meet their immediate needs which then allows them to get back to job searching feeling recharged and focused. It has become apparent to us that this is a need in the Lancaster County community, and we will continue to serve the members to the best of our abilities to help elevate some of the weight of food insecurities while they are here.
Want to help PA CareerLink® Lancaster County with this initiative to assist the community with their food needs? You can donate food to PA CareerLink® Lancaster County or access the amazon wish list here.