Ten years ago, a group of Pennsylvania dairy farmers volunteered to pack food for families in need at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. As they looked around, they noticed a glaring absence of fresh milk. Determined to change that, they launched Fill a Glass with Hope®, a charitable milk distribution program that has since transformed lives across Pennsylvania and beyond.

American Dairy Association North East CEO John Chrisman (far left) stands with several farmers and industry partners who initiated Fill a Glass with Hope® including, from left to right, Joe Arthur, Laura England, Harold Shaulis, Patty Purcell, Vernon Horst, Lela Reichart and Jane Clements.

A Dream Becomes Reality

“Fill a Glass with Hope® started as a dream,” says dairy farmer Harold Shaulis, former Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program Chair and one of the program’s early champions. “Half a dozen of us saying, ‘Let’s get this started and see what happens.’ We had no idea it would take off and grow this far, this quick,” Shaulis said.

A Community Comes Together

From that moment of inspiration, Fill a Glass with Hope® was born through a partnership of local dairy farmers, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Once Feeding Pennsylvania signed onto the program, it evolved into the country’s first statewide charitable fresh milk distribution program.

“I don’t think when we started this program 10 years ago that we could have imagined the impact it would have,” reflected Laura England, former vice-president of strategic communications at Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, which is now part of American Dairy Association North East.

“Over 41 million servings of milk have been provided to Pennsylvania families in need. That’s a tremendous legacy and proof of what can happen when people come together to solve a problem,” says England. ​That total, shared at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show, has since climbed to 47 million servings—and continues to grow.

Fighting Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects neighbors in every county in the Commonwealth, with rural areas having some of the highest rates of food-insecure households. In fact, more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, including 436,000 children, experience food insecurity each year. Because of programs like Fill a Glass with Hope®, Feeding Pennsylvania’s nine partner food banks distribute more than 231 million pounds of food through a network of over 2,750 agencies and feeding programs.

At the 2017 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Fill a Glass with Hope® celebrated early success—just two years after its launch, the program delivered over 3.3 million servings of milk and raised more than $640,000 to fight hunger across Pennsylvania.

In June 2022, Weis Markets and the dairy community kicked off the Fill a Glass with Hope® campaign during National Dairy Month. Thanks to retail partnerships like this, the program provided more than 27 million servings of milk to families in the Commonwealth.

Farmers Leading the Way

Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is rarely donated. That’s when Pennsylvania dairy farmers stepped up to get the program off the ground. “At first, we donated truckloads of milk just to get it into the system,” recalled Vernon Horst, former chair of the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “Now, 10 years later, we see how many organizations have come together to keep this program going. It’s overwhelming to see what we started continuing to grow,”​ says Horst.

“Milk was the number one requested item in food banks, yet it wasn’t getting there,” says Lela Reichart, former Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Markets. “Seeing the impact of Fill a Glass with Hope® over the years has been truly humbling.”​

More Than Just Milk

Fill a Glass with Hope®  is about more than just providing milk. It’s about bringing hope to families facing hunger. “We picked the name ‘Fill a Glass with Hope’ because when you put food on the table for someone, it says you believe in them,” says Patricia Purcell, former CEO of Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and one of the program’s founders. “It’s about giving people hope, especially in tough times.” ​

The program’s success comes from the dedication of dairy farmers, state agencies, food banks, and community supporters who united for a common goal. “This program was about finding a new way to get milk and fresh dairy products to families in need. What made it work was people setting aside individual agendas and coming together for a shared goal. That’s why it has lasted 10 years and why it continues to grow,” says John Chrisman, CEO of the American Dairy Association North East.

Looking to the Future

Even with 47 million servings donated, the need for fresh milk continues. “As a dairy farmer, nothing warms my heart more than knowing milk is reaching families who need it most,” says Lolly Lesher, chair of the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. “Fill a Glass with Hope® is more than a food program—it’s a commitment to making sure no one goes without this essential nutrition. And we’re not done yet.”
At the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show, ADA North East, Feeding Pennsylvania and PA Dairymen’s Association joined forces to present a $181,500 donation to continue the mission of fighting hunger.

Lolly Lesher, of Way-Har Farm in Bernville, Pa., speaks at a press event launching the 10th anniversary of Fill a Glass with Hope® at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Expanding Hope Beyond Pennsylvania

The success of Fill a Glass with Hope® is spreading beyond Pennsylvania. Inspired by the program’s impact, New York has adopted a similar model, expanding the reach of this life-changing initiative​.

How You Can Help

The success of Fill a Glass with Hope® relies on community support. Every dollar counts. You can make a difference by visiting feedingpa.org/milk.

As we celebrate 10 years of Fill a Glass with Hope®, let’s raise a glass—to another decade of nourishing our neighbors, strengthening communities, and providing hope to those who need it most.