About Us
As a hospital social worker, I spend my days helping people figure out how to meet their basic needs as they recover from unexpected medical emergencies. In December of 2021, I met a gentleman who had fallen on an icy sidewalk and broke his arm. As a result, he would need to wear a sling for several months and had no support to easily call on. I sought out local agencies, but even our big-hearted community services and resources have limitations, qualifying criteria, or potential waitlists for approval. I was frustrated that our community couldn’t help with something as basic as delivering a warm meal while he learned to navigate life with the use of his left arm but realized that it was silly to wait for someone else to create a better option, I can help right now.
I love to cook and always have too much for myself and my husband, so I started in my own neighborhood and soon found myself delivering meals to appreciative seniors a few times a month. I recruited kind-hearted coworkers, and we quickly grew into a coordinated team of volunteers who bring meals to individuals and families. Now, we have over 200 volunteer chefs across four counties, and we continue to find new ways to address food insecurity locally. The mission is simple, the reach far, and the rewards immeasurable.
We have enough to share, so we do.
Kristy
Kristy Teisher, MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW
Founder/Director
Our Values
DIGNITY
We respect the inherent value and worth of every individual
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BENEVOLENCE
We act in good faith and lead with kindness
COLLABORATION
We recognize that success comes from working together
At Eat Share, we welcome individuals and families of diverse race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, abilities, marital status, military status, across all socioeconomic backgrounds to join our mission in all of our activities and operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, volunteering, meal requests, donations, board membership, and service partnership.
Our Philosophical Intentions
Change the current stigma/definitions/requirements to seek out and access community supports & resources when needed:
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The difference of the deserving and undeserving poor was established in the Poor Law of 1834. The deserving poor were those understood to be hard working people, who through no fault of their own found themselves in hardship. The underserving poor, on the other hand, were given this label due to an assessment of their perceived indolence. They were not trying hard enough to relieve their own hardship, which left them less deserving of help.
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The stigma of these laws, and the judgement of people seeking support, has persisted for almost two centuries—allowing both the government and private programs to put stringent and misdirected guidelines on supportive services for access to food.
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Eat Share wants to break the stigma and mistrust imbedded in current services. We want to create a welcoming and warm resource that doesn’t ask questions or make people prove they meet special requirements to receive support.
Welcome those who have more than enough to share with those who 1) don’t have enough, or 2) lack the current capacity to easily plan for their own food due to difficult circumstances:
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The reality is that 59% of Americans are one paycheck away from poverty, homelessness, and struggle. Unexpected distress and hardship can make individuals feel isolated and alone, having to bear the heavy burden of distress independently. Eat Share recognizes this reality and seeks to build community and connection in an organic, easy, and kind manner.
To address local food waste and insecurity, Eat Share seeks to create innovative ways to redistribute food to members of our community that can appreciate it:
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According to the United Nations, one-third of the world’s food is wasted. In the United States, food waste is 40%—enough to feed 2 billion people. Yet, 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians struggle to secure reliable, nutritious food--even in north central PA.
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Our Food Forward Program, which welcomes excess food donations from local restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, distributors, businesses, etc.—as well as our Produce Donation & Distribution Program, welcomes locals to donate their food waste to us, and we redistribute these resources to the community in need.
Our Board of Directors
Katy Kirkpatrick
Board Secretary
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With an educational background in graphic design, a decade of work in digital content management, and a love of written correspondence, Katy’s combined experience and interests lend themselves well to her role as board Secretary, but her motivation for being involved with Eat Share runs much deeper:
“I cherish several core memories of times when neighbors, friends, and relatives rallied to support my family in the aftermath of loss, often in the form of nourishment. I understand that hardship is not limited to income or financial status, and that feeding someone is an easy way to relieve some of their private distress. Food is love. Eat Share connects people on both ends of that exchange. Now more than ever, I am honored to serve on the board of this incredible organization in the spirit of uplifting our local communities, honoring dignity, and restoring hope.”
Jenifer Starr
Board Treasurer
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Jen brings a broad range of experience, combining her professional background at Greg Welteroth Advertising with dedicated volunteer service to organizations such as the Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, Community Theatre League, Montoursville Area School District Foundation, and MAHS Band Boosters. When she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys road trips and spending time with her daughter Brylea, her miniature schnauzer Gracey, and her orange cat Colin.
“My passion surrounding food insecurity and how I can make an impact in the community developed when my Ambassador Girl Scouts Troop built and managed a blessing box. We then explored other local pantry boxes, realizing the level of need for these kinds of resources in our own community.
I am excited to merge my talents with the rest of the board and continue to grow this wonderful organization.”
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Leeann Hessler
Registered Dietitian, Board Member
Leeann--who earned her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, is a registered dietitian for UPMC and the expert in all things related to nutrition and food safety for Eat Share.
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"Since I work for UPMC as a clinical dietitian, I am always focused on nourishing others. I love food and I think about it all the time. I enjoy gardening in the summer, which allows me to experiment with making my own homemade sauces, salsas, and pesto. I also enjoy sharing what I have with others. I feel fortunate to understand food from a nutrition perspective, and I like to educate others when possible. There is a need for this in our community and normalizing asking for help of any kind is so important. Spreading joy can be as simple as sharing a single meal with a neighbor.”
Martha Finsterbush
Board Member
With nearly two decades of non-profit leadership under her belt and a degree in criminal justice and psychology, Marty brings a passion for social justice and helping others, especially when it comes to food insecurity.
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“Facing hunger is a result of equity and access. It impacts every part of a person’s life. I grew up utilizing community resources and food banks and (while there shouldn’t be) there is shame in needing that help. That’s what I love most about Eat Share! There’s no stigma, no judgement. Just neighbors reaching out to give a hand up when it’s needed. I am honored to work alongside the other amazing ladies on this board and our fantastic volunteers.”
Siria Matos
Board Member
Siri brings a warm heart and extensive experience in nonprofit and community service, including roles with Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, Junior League of Williamsport, Williamsport Rotary, and the Susquehanna Valley CASA.
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“As a Veteran of the US Air Force Reserve, I have vowed to live a life of service that uplifts and empowers the local community. I am honored to join Eat Share and contribute to a mission so close to my heart. I look forward to working alongside the rest of the Board to make meaningful change and spread more awareness – one meal, one story, one connection at a time. I’ve seen firsthand how access to a basic need shapes every aspect of a person’s life from physical health to mental well-being, opportunities and hope. Joining the Board of an organization that shares these values feels like a natural and deeply meaningful step in my advocacy work.
I am excited to lend my voice, time, and energy to help grow Eat Share’s impact and help ensure that people facing food insecurity feel seen, understood, and supported."
