“The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is facing an unprecedented demand for food assistance – greater than even during the peak of the pandemic. Currently, one in nine neighbors in our area are unable to access enough nutritious food,” according to information from the Food Bank.

As the community’s need for support continues to skyrocket, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is bringing back a beloved soup fundraiser, “Ladles of Love,” to raise awareness and rally community support.

During the event, locally handcrafted soups will be available for pickup on Feb. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 90 Pine St.

Thanks to the generosity of incredibly talented local chefs and bakers, as well as sponsorships from local businesses and organizations, the proceeds of each quart purchased will help to provide 100 meals to neighbors facing food insecurity, the news release stated.

This year, the fundraiser will showcase five soups from both returning favorite chefs and new participants. Soups available include: Potato Leek with Chipotle Parmesan by The Peter Herdic House; Italian Wedding Soup by Hillside Catering; Roasted Tomato Basil, Mushroom Bisque both by the culinary department at Pennsylvania College of Technology; and Beef Barley soup by The James Restaurant.

Area bakeries are also showing their support. Rise Up Village Bakery, a ministry of United Churches of Lycoming County, is generously providing four homemade rolls to accompany each quart of soup. Dessert is also included with each soup purchase and consists of two assorted cookies from M & Em’s Sweet Sensations, Batter Up Bakery, or the Warrior Run Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club.

Soups can be preordered at: centralpafoodbank.org/ladles-of-love, with orders accepted through February 23rd, or while supplies last. A limited quantity of soups will be available for purchase on the day of the event, so preordering is recommended.

For more information and to place an order, visit https://www.centralpafoodbank.org/ladles-oflove/ or call 717-319-6265