Sun. Dec 21st, 2025

The Discount Food Program, a regional food program sponsored by the Youth Outreach Center, has set its June menu and is also accepting new participants.
The Discount Food Program is offered through the Youth Outreach Center located at 1311 12th Avenue in downtown Altoona.
New participants are currently being accepted. There are no income or residential restrictions to participate.
Those wishing to sign up for the program, and save 50 to 75 percent on their food bill, are asked to visit the center Saturday, June 10 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Be sure to take a photo ID. Concession foods will also be made available on June 10 for takeout.
Individuals who have not made a purchase in 2006 will need to reregister.
Current participants who wish to place an order this month may also do so Saturday, June 10. Cash, access cards or money orders are accepted. Food distribution day is scheduled for Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Discount Food Program offers individuals with an affordable way to get the food they need in any given month. Participants are asked each month to visit the center to place orders for their food. A box of preselected food costs $25 and a new menu is created each month. There are also monthly specials for participants.
Individuals may purchase as many boxes of food as they wish, but must do so on the designated day.
Another Saturday will be set aside for individuals to pick up their purchases.
It is suggested that a cooler, laundry basket or other large box is brought to carry the food items.
Participants may purchase food during any month, but are not required to make a purchase each time.
This month’s menu includes: (1) 2 lb. fully cooked bacon; (1) 2 lb. IQF boneless, skinless chicken; (1) package of assorted fresh vegetables; (1) package of assorted fresh fruits; (1) 5 lb. potatoes; (1) 1.5 lb. onions; (1) package of frozen strawberries; (1) 12 oz. Polish sausage; (1) 1 lb. Salisbury steak; (1) 1 lb. fully cooked meatballs; (1) 3.66 lb. chicken leg quarters; (1) 1 lb. French fries; (2) shelf stable items and (1) 2 lb. breaded chicken breast fillet (whole muscle). All food weight is approximate
There are also specials available for the month with the purchase of at least one box of food.
Also offered are this month’s specials, which are available with the purchase of at least one box of food.
The first special is a box of choice cut T-bone steaks for $16.50. Special two is a fruit package for $11.50, which may include apples, pears, bananas, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, oranges, tangerines, Melons, and pineapples.
A summer grill box is the third special for $18.50. It consists of boneless, center cut pork chops; boneless chicken breasts fillets; beef patties; bacon wrapped USDA choice beef fillet and gourmet sour cream and chives twice baked potatoes.
The last special is Stouffer’s Chicken Marsalas for $10.50, which includes chicken breast tenderloins and portabella mushrooms in a marsala wine sauce.
Also, as a special treat this month, each family that participates in the Discount Food Program will be entered to win a family pack of VIP passes, courtesy of Sheetz, to ride and slide all day at Lakemont Park. The winning family will be drawn and announced during distribution day, on June 24.
Participants are reminded that there is always a need for volunteers on the day of pick-up to help unload the trucks and distribute the food. Volunteers should meet at the Youth Outreach Center at 9 a.m.
There are no income or residential restrictions. The Discount Food Program is not affiliated with other similar programs. Please bring a photo ID, along with cash, farmer’s market nutrition checks, an access card or a money order.
“This is a tremendous program that has really benefited myself and many other families in this region,” said Discount Food Program participant, Shirley Weaver, in a previous press release.
For more information, please call 942-9400 ext. 1.

By Rick