Sep 18, 2015 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Of the 37,843 people living in Greene County, 5,000 are “food insecure,” according to Greene County Food Security Partnership.

That means that one of every seven people in Greene County suffers from hunger.

“People are struggling in our own community,” said Maribeth Garrett, a member of the partnership. “We are working to make sure everyone is food secure.”

One effort by the partnership is its annual county forum – Greene County Hunger Summit. This year, the summit will focus on elderly in the community during its meeting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30.

The summit will include discussion panels with local experts talking about the area’s aging population, focusing on trends for senior citizens and how their unique food insecurity issues should be handled.

A doctor from Washington Health System will speak about physical and mental issues caused by hunger in seniors.

The summit will include a simulation titled, “Bridges out of Poverty.”

“They will have to work with one another through certain scenarios and situations,” Garrett said. “This will help them better understand what poverty feels like.”

The partnership was created four years ago to help end food insecurities in Greene County.

Along with the summit, the organization works with Corner Cupboard Food Bank and the Community Foundation of Greene County to help spread awareness about hunger.

“We work on outreach, getting the word out there and making sure people are food secure,” Garrett said. “The summit is one way we do this.”

Other ways the partnership helps is through packets of resource information distributed to church’s and fire stations. They also advocate for legislation to aid hunger relief.

The summit is free to everyone and will take place at Greene Arc, 197 Dunn Station Road, Washington Township.

Lunch will be provided. To RSVP or to learn more about the partnership, contact Garrett at 724-852-5276 or mgarrett@co.greene.pa.us.