Two Historic Milestones, One Call to Serve:
Westmoreland Food Bank Invites Community to Honor America’s 250th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with a Week of Service Community Food Drives and Volunteer Opportunities Planned Sept. 8–11, 2026
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PA — In a nation born from the spirit of unity and sacrifice, two powerful anniversaries converge this fall: the 250th birthday of the United States of America and the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The Westmoreland Food Bank is calling on residents across the region to honor both milestones through acts of service — by hosting community food drives and volunteering during its Week of Service, taking place September 8–11, 2026.Two Anniversaries, One Purpose
America’s 250th anniversary — America250 — is a celebration of the ideals that have defined this nation since 1776: courage, resilience, and a belief that we are stronger together than apart. At the same time, September 11 stands as a profound reminder of what those ideals truly mean. In the hours and days following the 2001 attacks, Americans did not turn away from one another — they turned toward each other. They gave blood, time, resources, and heart. They stood in lines to help strangers. That spirit of unity in the face of unimaginable loss is among the most distinctly American responses in our nation’s long history.
This September, as we reflect on 25 years since that day and 250 years of American perseverance, the Westmoreland Food Bank invites our community to answer a timeless question: How will you serve?
Week of Service: September 8–11, 2026
The Westmoreland Food Bank’s Week of Service is a four-day community-wide effort to fight hunger in honor of those we lost on 9/11 and in celebration of the enduring American character. Events will take place across Westmoreland County, and we are actively seeking individuals, organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities, and civic groups to participate.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Host a Community Food Drive: Organize a drive at your workplace, school, neighborhood, house of worship, or organization. Collection boxes and promotional materials are available through the Westmoreland Food Bank. Every can, every box, and every dollar raised directly feeds families in need right here in our community.
- Volunteer at the Food Bank: Join us on-site during the Week of Service to sort, pack, and prepare food for distribution. Volunteer shifts are available for individuals and groups.
- Donate in Memory or in Honor: Make a monetary donation in memory of a loved one, a hero of 9/11, or in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. All contributions go directly toward feeding our neighbors.
- Spread the Word: Share information about the Week of Service with your networks, on social media, and in your community. Use the hashtag #WeekOfService and tag @WestmorelandFoodBank.
— Jennifer Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Westmoreland Food Bank
The Need Is Real — and It’s Right Here at Home
Today, 1 in 8 residents in Westmoreland County face food insecurity — meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. That includes children, seniors, veterans, and working families. The Westmoreland Food Bank distributes millions of pounds of food each year to those in need, and that work depends entirely on the generosity of this community.
As we celebrate 250 years of American ideals and pause to remember the unity that emerged from September 11, let us channel that energy into something lasting: a community where everyone has enough to eat.
Register Your Food Drive or Volunteer Today
Organizations and individuals interested in hosting a food drive or volunteering during the Week of Service are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Space and materials are limited.
