Penn State Mont Alto honors a year of service and philanthropy

MONT ALTO, Pa. — Penn State Mont Alto is honoring a year of service and philanthropy through service initiatives and local partnerships.

“Penn State Mont Alto is one of the most generous communities I know,” said Jay Arcuri, chief student affairs officer and director of student affairs at Penn State Mont Alto. “Our students, faculty and staff consistently respond whenever a need or opportunity to give back arises. I feel truly humbled to be part of such an amazing community."

Here are a few of the initiatives:

Thanksgiving Basket Program: Feeding Families Since 2020 
Launched in the fall of 2020, the Thanksgiving Basket Program reached a new milestone this year with 18 baskets donated to local food banks. These baskets were filled with essential items for a traditional Thanksgiving meal and delivered to organizations such as St. Paul Evangelical Food Bank, Franklin County Children and Youth, Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, and Five Forks B.I.C. Food Banks. In just four years, the campus has collected and distributed approximately 70 baskets through this initiative. 

Adopt-a-Family Program: Making the Holidays Brighter 
This past holiday season, the Mont Alto community came together to support six local families, including 21 children, through the Adopt-a-Family Program. Over 140 individually selected and wrapped gifts were provided to those facing financial hardship. Since its inception in 2018, the program has partnered with Franklin County Children and Youth to assist 36 families, delivering nearly 950 gifts over the years. 

Winter Warmth Drive: Keeping the Cold at Bay 
In collaboration with the United Way of Franklin County, the Winter Warmth Program collected three boxes filled with cold-weather essentials, including coats, scarves, gloves, and hats. Launched in 2023, this partnership has resulted in numerous donation drives that provide much-needed warmth during Pennsylvania’s harshest months. 

MLK Day of Service: Honoring a Legacy of Action 
With the exception of this year due to weather, each January, Mont Alto students and staff honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through hands-on service. Since 2020, Penn State Mont Alto has actively participated in the MLK Day of Service, volunteering at various sites throughout the Chambersburg area to support local organizations and improve community spaces. 

Alternative Spring Break: Service Beyond Franklin County 
Mont Alto’s dedication to service doesn’t pause when classes take a break. Through its Alternative Spring Break program, students forgo traditional vacations in favor of immersive service experiences. This year, students volunteered in Washington, DC at the Capital Area Food Bank, the largest organization working to solve hunger in the Washington DC metro area. 

"With each initiative," Arcuri said, "Mont Alto makes an outstanding impact not only on students, but on real-world issues in and outside of the surrounding community."

For more information on upcoming service opportunities or how to get involved, visit montalto.psu.edu.