CHAMBERSBURG – A new free community workshop series is set to examine the real costs of living in Franklin County, focusing on affordability, access to essentials and the broader systems affecting community health.
Healthy Franklin County, in partnership with South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), is hosting Tap Talks: The True Cost of Living series. The interactive sessions aim to break down issues such as housing, food access and economic self-sufficiency through guided discussions and exercises.
The series begins Wednesday, Jan. 21, with “What It Really Costs to Live Here” at 6 p.m. Participants will engage in a guided self-sufficiency exercise to calculate basic household needs, framing affordability as a community-wide concern.
Subsequent sessions include:
- Feb. 18: “The Cost of Eating Well,” exploring food access, grocery affordability and how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) functions amid policy influences.
- March 18: “Housing on the Brink,” addressing the shortage of affordable housing, rising costs, market trends and available programs such as vouchers, public housing and income-based options.
- April 15: “Housing Systems & Solutions,” reviewing the broader housing system and highlighting local collaborative efforts to reduce shortages and boost affordability.
All sessions run from 6 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m., or as discussion concludes, and are held in the Market Lounge at GearHouse Brewing Co., 253 Grant St. Attendees are encouraged to grab a drink and join neighbors in casual, conversation-driven talks.
“Tap Talks are free and open to the public,” organizers stated. “Come curious. Leave informed.”
Registration is required and available at healthyfranklincounty.org or via the shortened link provided in promotional materials.
Healthy Franklin County, a collaborative initiative involving over 40 organizations, uses a collective impact approach to improve health outcomes across the region. SCCAP, a longstanding nonprofit serving Adams and Franklin counties, focuses on empowering communities to end poverty through programs addressing housing, food security and more.
The series aligns with ongoing local efforts to raise awareness about economic challenges and foster community solutions for a healthier Franklin County.
