Joe Bilka helps Penn State Altoona fight student hunger

Joe Bilka is always on the go. He coaches cross country at Central High School in Martinsburg. He works at DelGrosso's Amusement Park during the summers. He takes classes at Penn State Altoona. He is also 76.

Bilka first attended the college in 1969. He went on to graduate from University Park in 1972 with a degree in secondary education.

Now retired, he has never lost his love of learning, which is why he takes courses through the Go60 program at Penn State Altoona. Over the past five years, he's dabbled in sociology, psychology, and human development.

It was through a sociology class last spring that Bilka first learned of the Ivyside Eats food pantry on campus. Sue Patterson, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, was a guest speaker one day and talked about the pantry, which provides food, hygienic items, and school supplies to students at no cost.

A 2024 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that nearly four million undergraduate students experienced food insecurity in 2020.

Patterson spoke about the increased need among Penn State Altoona students.

"I wasn't aware that there was a food issue. I just didn't realize there are students who don't have the money for meal plan or groceries, or they run out of money midterm."

Bilka says he looked around at his much younger classmates, a bit stunned that many of them might be going without food at that very moment.

Not on his watch.

Bilka approached the pastor of his church, Rev. Dr. Lenore Hosier, explaining what he'd learned about food insecurity and about Ivyside Eats. Pastor of both Christ Community United Methodist and Llewsyn United Methodist, Hosier is always looking for community engagement opportunities and outreach initiatives.

She was equally surprised by the growing food need among students and agreed to take the issue to both congregations.

Always the teacher, Bilka put some video together and made a presentation to parishioners about food insecurity at colleges and universities across the country, in Pennsylvania, and in Blair County. Bilka told them that Ivyside Eats was a project he and Hosier wanted to go forward with, and he asked for their support.

"It was an eye-opener for many of our members," says Hosier. "Together we decided it was a way we could reach a part of our community that we might not have otherwise connected with. We thought it was a good, solid way for us to do what we know we're called to."

Based on a spreadsheet provided by Patterson that follows the typical cycle of needed items, church members committed to supporting Ivyside Eats for the entire 2025-26 academic year.

Each month, requested items are listed in bulletins and newsletters, and donors can drop them right into collection bins at the churches. Bilka gathers and takes everything to campus, along with cases of spaghetti sauce donated by DelGrosso's.

"Everybody has been so positive about it and 100 percent on board," he says. "They proved it with the August collection. It was much more than Sue expected, and I told her to get used to it because I think it's just going to keep growing."

Hosier says she's excited to build this partnership with Ivyside Eats. Between her two churches, there are about 75 parishioners, mainly older and retired adults.

"They aren't huge or wealthy congregations, but they're both very giving congregations. Many of them are parents and grandparents of college students, so their hearts are with these young people facing hunger."

Patterson is grateful for the kindness and assistance from church members, certain they are making a difference for students. She is also appreciative of Bilka and his eagerness to jump right in and lend a hand to his peers.

"As an alumnus and current student at Penn State Altoona, Joe's willingness to champion this cause shows how students support students and make our community better for everyone."