Food Truck Festival Benefiting Housing Transitions Returns to Downtown State College

Nearly a dozen local food trucks will set up in downtown State College this weekend to serve up some grub for a good cause.

The Food Truck Rally in the Valley festival will take over the 200 block of South Allen Street from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. While admission is free, proceeds from food sales will benefit Housing Transitions and its services, including the Centre House homeless shelter and several housing assistance programs.

The following food trucks are slated to appear at Sunday’s block party-style festival:

• Bonnie’s Blues Smokeys & Sweets
• Brazilian Munchies
• Carter’s Table
• Crumbkowski
• Happy Dishes
• Happy Valley Chef
• Idou Coffee Co.
• Real Taste 570
• Rebelz Mobile Cuisine
• Rosie’s Pierogies
• Sunset Slush

“All the food bases are covered,” said Morgan Wasikonis, Housing Transitions’ executive director. “We’ve got lunch options, desserts, coffee…anything you could want. There’s even pizza to take home for dinner.”

The food truck festival will also feature musical performances from acoustic rock duo Hops & Vines (noon to 2 p.m.) and the Brass Rats ensemble (2 to 3 p.m.). Families can enjoy face painting and activities through the Centre Region Parks & Recreation’s Rec On The Go truck. Additionally, a raffle will give away prizes donated by local businesses.

Participating food trucks will donate at least 15% of their proceeds to Housing Transitions, which plans to use those funds to support Centre House. Located at 217 E. Nittany Ave. in State College, it’s the only 24/7 emergency family shelter in Centre County. Centre House offers food and shelter to local clients who experience homelessness, all in the hopes to help them reach a “more stable housing future.”

The Food Truck Rally in the Valley dates back to 2017, but it’s faced a few cancellations along the way, including in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned last summer.

Wasikonis said increased community support, ranging from food trucks to corporate sponsors and generous volunteers, has helped the annual event become a local fixture.

“The whole street becomes very festival-like, and there’s plenty of room for everyone here,” Wasikonis said.

For more information on the festival, visit its Facebook page. Head to Housing Transitions’ website to learn more about its services and programs in the Centre Region.