In Pennsylvania, over 1.5 million people identify as food insecure. That is 11.9% of the total population.
Food insecurity is an issue that directly aligns with Mom’s Meals’ mission of improving life through better nutrition at home. To help address food insecurity, Mom’s Meals donated 20,160 shelf-stable meals to 19 different community-based organizations across the nation in 2024.
One of the organizations that received these meals was the Pennsylvania Bridgeport Police Department. The donation consisted of 528 shelf-stable meals distributed throughout the community.
“The police department does some atypical things such as assist with food insecurity,” shares Police Chief Todd Bereda.
Whenever the Bridgeport Police Department receives donations, Chief Bereda said that the community is always grateful.
“There are plenty of times where people will have tears in their eyes,” adds Bereda. “They couldn’t believe that people were willing to extend themselves to such an extent.”
Teaming up in times of need
Mom’s Meals and the Bridgeport Police Department share a long-lasting relationship. For over four and a half years, they have worked together to combat food insecurity. Ranging from natural disaster relief donations to an increased need of food during the holidays, Mom’s Meals has supported the Bridgeport Police Department.
“Mom’s Meals has stepped in on numerous occasions over the last four and a half years and solved a lot of problems,” said Bereda. “In some of those instances, if I didn’t have you guys to help us, I don’t know what may or may not happened with those people.”
Creating a lasting friendship
The collaboration between Mom’s Meals and the Bridgeport Police Department was created due to a friendship. Bereda discussed how he does things a little different as Police Chief and makes friends on Facebook. He said he now has upward to 3,000 or 4,000 friends. One of those people he met was Cindy Celi, a Mom’s Meals employee.
“I was friends with Cindy Celi for many years,” shares Bereda. “I didn’t know who she worked for, and it just happened to be Mom’s Meals, and you know that was the start of a great collaboration. There’s always a need for food and this has been a great relationship to ensure we can help those in need and show that people care.”
Learn how Mom’s Meals is working toward combating food insecurity.