Franklin County Highlights Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Amidst Rising Challenges

The Franklin County Commissioners have officially designated the week of November 16-22, 2025, as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, aiming to foster a deeper community understanding of the issues and the impact of collective support. The initiative encourages residents to recognize the multifaceted causes of hunger and homelessness and the ways in which community involvement can create positive change.

The Commissioners’ proclamation underscores the stark contrast between the holiday season’s traditions of abundance and warmth and the reality faced by many individuals and families within the community and across the nation. The period serves as a critical reminder that access to adequate food and secure shelter are fundamental necessities for overall well-being, encompassing physical health, safety, and emotional stability. By drawing attention to these local needs, the week promotes actionable steps that can be taken to assist those experiencing these challenges.

Several converging factors have contributed to an observable increase in both hunger and homelessness. Escalating costs for essential goods and services, coupled with wages that have not kept pace, have created significant financial strain for households. The cessation of pandemic-era financial supports, such as rental assistance, has further exacerbated the situation, leading to a critical scarcity of affordable housing options and placing immense pressure on household budgets. This economic pressure leaves less disposable income available for basic necessities like food.

In Franklin County, the impact of these trends is evident in the numbers. As of September, over 19,000 residents were utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. Local food pantries and other charitable organizations collectively serve approximately 3,700 individuals on a monthly basis, highlighting the ongoing demand for food support. On a national scale, an estimated 44 million Americans are considered at risk of experiencing hunger.

Homelessness also remains a significant concern within Franklin County. Through October of this year, 119 heads of household contacted the Franklin County Community Connections Housing Access Center or PA 211 to initiate a homeless assessment. It is important to note that a “head of household” designation refers to the individual making the inquiry and does not encompass the total number of individuals, such as spouses or children, who may be part of the household experiencing homelessness. This figure represents a decrease from the 131 heads of household who made similar inquiries during the same period in the previous year.

Despite the reduction in assessment calls, Franklin County has observed an increase in the number of unsheltered individuals during its annual Point In Time (PIT) homeless counts. These counts, conducted locally by Franklin County’s community connections staff and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provide a crucial single-night census of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness. The data gathered is instrumental in tracking trends and informing federal funding allocations and policy decisions related to homelessness. The 2025 winter PIT count identified 25 unsheltered individuals, an increase from the 13 recorded in 2024. Similarly, the 2025 summer survey documented 34 unsheltered individuals, up from 22 in the previous year.

In recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Franklin County Commissioners are urging community members to consider supporting individuals and families facing these hardships. This support can take various forms, including direct volunteerism, financial donations to organizations that provide homeless assistance and prevention programs, rapid rehousing services, and broader community support initiatives.

Several organizations throughout Franklin County are dedicated to providing essential services, including shelter, meals, and food supplies, to those experiencing homelessness. Among these vital resources are South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), Waynesboro Community and Human Services, New Hope Shelter, Women in Need, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, Healthy Franklin County maintains a comprehensive list of available resources, including emergency food locations, on its website, healthyfranklincounty.org. Residents seeking information on services and resources can also contact the Franklin County Community Connections Housing Access Center at 717-261-3893, the Franklin County Human Services Resources office at 717-261-2561, or by calling or texting PA 211.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Franklin County Commissioners

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