February 11, 2026
According to Feeding America, Centre County has more than 15,000 individuals who are food insecure, which means they “do not have enough to eat for an active, healthy life.” Think We not Me (TWnM) Community Food Program provides freshproduce at no cost to food-insecure individuals in Centre County. In 2025, it did this through 32 food banks, pantries and prepared meal centers spread throughout the County. Items donated by the TWnM to the food charities include apples, cabbage, corn, potatoes, melons, salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplant, zucchini and more.
This worthy activity started eighteen years ago when Master Gardener-trained Bill Zimmer and Centre County Master Gardener President Norm Knaub began donating surplus produce from their gardens to local food banks. In 2018, Ken Lipson had an acre of farmland and an old tractor to offer for the same purpose, so the three joined forces. Other individuals joined this all-volunteer group, and the program incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2022. They provided about 23,000 pounds to 20 charity programs that year.
What was a handful of people donating several boxes of vegetables has continued to expand. An increase in money donations and volunteers to plant, harvest and package the produce allowed the group to deliver 46,000 pounds in 2024. Since then, additional local farmers joined the growing team, and 2 wholesale suppliers were enlisted to provide highly discounted potatoes and apples for distribution. Last year the program donated over 83,000 pounds of fresh produce to add a nutritious component to the diet of those with food insecurity.
According to TWnM President Bill Zimmer “One-third of our vegetables come from local growers supporting the program. The wholesale suppliers supplement our efforts and greatly expand the volume of produce we can provide. This was only possible because of large one-time donations and additional volunteer groups that break down and package the bulk shipments into quantities that the food distribution organizations can manage. We will continue with this approach if we get more donations and volunteers.”
A truckload of apples being bagged for delivery to the food banks.
Kari Reyburn coordinates the crop selections and timing of harvest to maximize the output of items that are in greatest demand. “We are in frequent contact with the food charities. to determine what people are consuming, and how much the food banks and pantries can manage at any given time. It is a constant balancing act to provide the best choices at the right time.”
Edie Binkley, who manages volunteer engagement and fundraising stated that “Volunteers and donations are the fuel for our growth. We plan to provide over 100,000 pounds of fresh, wholesome produce in 2026. Reaching this level will only be possible if we can increase the numbers of groups and individuals who can provide their time and energy.”
If you would like to learn more or participate with this group of neighbors in supporting the food insecure in our County, go to https://thinkwenotme.org . When you register through the website, you will receive notifications by email of upcoming volunteer activities as the planting season gets underway. The program particularly needs groups of volunteers. If you manage a group and want to learn more, please contact Edie Binkley at glitzygirl10@gmail.com.
The program relies on the annual Centre Gives fundraising activity each May. “With the opportunity for matching funds from the Centre Foundation, this has been a preferred source of donations for TWnM.” according to Treasurer Ken Lipson. The program is also ready to accept donations by check or via their website at Donation – Think We, not Me
Think We not Me Community Food Program
1302 Boal Ave
Boalsburg, PA 16827
