The Hope Center operates three programs to provide supplemental food to residents of the Bellwood-Antis community:
1) The Food Pantry: Eighty families are using The Hope Center’s Client-Choice Food Pantry. Families have access to milk, eggs, and a variety of meats, along with shelf-stable food.
2) Soups-On: Over 120 senior residents of Bellwood-Antis get a hot meal and dessert delivered every Wednesday from September through April.
3) Senior Food Box Program: The Hope Center distributes USDA pre-packed boxes of shelf-stable food to eligible seniors.

The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is proud to be celebrating its ninety-fifth season. This is an outstanding achievement in an era when many orchestras throughout the country cannot boast of such a history. Founded in 1928, the Gerhart String Ensemble has grown over the years to become a full orchestra. Once relying on community volunteers, even donating their own money to purchase music, the Symphony now employs over 65 professional musicians. The mission of the Altoona Symphony has always been to provide high-quality music to the residents of Central Pennsylvania. The Symphony has gained recognition for its musical diversity by performing both classical and popular works featuring talented local artists and nationally acclaimed musicians.

Altoona Community Theatre (ACT) presents outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas and children's productions in The Historic Mishler Theatre, offering great entertainment at reasonable prices for its patrons as well as the opportunity for area residents to express themselves creatively onstage and backstage. ACT also conducts summer workshops for children and teens.

The United Sisterhood Series is a new initiative, started in October 2017, for women, men and students of all ages in all phases of life who come together seeking inspiration, encouragement, support and networking opportunities. This is accomplished through motivational speakers at luncheon gatherings. Always 12 to 1:30 pm, the cost is $10 and is held at The Casino. Evening Coffee and Conversation Nights allow for more intimate networking time and professional opportunities for students working to meet individuals in careers of interest to them. Partners include: St. Francis University, Mt. Aloysius, Griffith Family Foundation/Sideline Cancer, The Casino, and Tyrone Events and Promotions.

Update for March 18, 2020 -- At this time we are maintaining our regularly scheduled hours for the food pantry -- Monday thru Friday from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. We are maintaining social distancing as much as possible and we asking all to please not visit us for any reason if you are feeling ill. During this pandemic, our March 27 giveaway has been cancelled and our March 31 local advisory board is also cancelled. We have cancelled all C-Prep classes and additional services and Bible studies as well until further notice. Food Pantry clients may send a proxy to pick up their food if they are not able at this time. Our Facebook Page at ARW Blair County contains the most updated information concerning our operations. We are assessing things daily. Please contact us if you need us.