How Warminster Food Bank and Philabundance are turning a community pantry into a model for compassionate, dignified food distribution — one neighbor at a time.
When Mike Cerino became president and CEO of Warminster Food Bank in Pennsylvania in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had just begun — the first in a series of challenges that would test his community, and define his leadership, in the years ahead.
“Before COVID, we were distributing around 30,000 pounds of food a year,” Mike said. “At the height of the pandemic in 2021, our demand quadrupled–at least. Right now, we’re at about 53,000 pounds of food a month.”
“Philabundance was a great rescuer of our mission,” Mike recalled. He partnered with the organization in 2021, when the Warminster Food Bank could no longer meet demand on its own. That partnership has only deepened since, growing from a lifeline in crisis into an enduring collaboration that continues to shape what the Warminster Food Bank can offer its community. “Without hyperbole, we wouldn’t exist without Philabundance.”
As one of Philabundance’s 300+ community partners, Warminster Food Bank has extended its reach even further, not only reaffirming its position as a reliable source of nutritious food for its own clientele, but also practicing a dignified model of food distribution that is central to its mission and values, according to Mike.
“I always say, ‘food is easy, dignity is a lot harder,’” he said. “It’s a tough situation to be in when you’re food insecure; why make it harder? We want the pantry to be a welcoming environment, an experience where people get the food they need and the care they need.”
He added, “It’s a place that shows our clients we see you, and we care about you.”
Support from Philabundance has transformed the Warminster Food Bank from a grab-and-go pantry into a dignified shopping experience that gives neighbors real choice, selection, and agency over what goes on their tables. Where shoppers once received whatever happened to be available, they can now browse and select. It’s a small but meaningful shift that affirms their dignity during every visit. The pantry also implemented appointment times for pickups, creating a more intimate experience while acknowledging a desire for privacy and discretion.
Today, shoppers frequently comment on the attentiveness and intention that goes into the food bank’s market basket, according to Mike. Rather than feeling like they’re receiving a random collection of canned goods, they leave with food that feels chosen for them. Each market basket, designed for clients’ meal planning, includes: a selection of protein, like poultry, beef, sausage, or deli meats; fresh fruits and vegetables; dairy items, like eggs, milk, and cheese; cooking needs like flour, sugar, and spices; shelf stable items like tuna, condiments, and pasta; as well as personal care, oral care and household cleaning and laundry items. The average basket is approximately 110 pounds of groceries and retails at $250.
Long-term, Mike hopes that the model Warminster Food Bank has worked so hard to achieve — and continues to build, thanks to its ongoing partnership with Philabundance — will act as an open door to anyone facing food insecurity, replacing the shame, embarrassment, and stigma that has long accompanied hunger with something far more powerful: belonging.
For example, a local resident on a fixed income was prescribed a new blood pressure medication, which cost him $300 each month. Instead of taking the medication daily, as prescribed, he was taking it every other day, hoping to stretch his supply to cut costs and leave funds for groceries, utilities, and transportation. Too ashamed to admit he needed help, the man was hesitant to accept weekly groceries from the food pantry — until Mike offered him a different way to think about it.
“I finally said to him, ‘If we can provide you with groceries every week, will you promise to take your pill every day?’ What we’re doing is allowing people to make a shift, and if they can allow themselves to be part of the community’s generosity, we can help close those gaps.”
Over the course of the past six years, Mike has witnessed that generosity firsthand — from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, to a recent government shutdown, and the drastic reduction in SNAP benefits in late 2025. Each new challenge has tested the community. Each time, the network has held.
Thanks to Philabundance and a network of supporters that share a commitment to investing in one another, that spirit of generosity is stronger than ever.
“I see it every day — people want to be a part of something good. It’s transformative to make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.
Mike continued, “I tell our volunteers and our staff, ‘We can’t fix a broken world, but we can fix the brokenness in ourselves when we do the work on this mission.’”
