Celebrating 40 Years of Impact

Nourishing Lives, One Meal at a Time.

Philabundance’s story began in 1984 with one person’s vision. Pamela Rainey Lawler noticed an abundance of perfectly good food going to waste and simultaneously saw people in her community struggling with hunger. Moved by this disparity, she started a food rescue operation using just her Subaru, aiming to bridge the gap between surplus food and those facing food insecurity. This  laid the foundation for Philabundance, which has since become a beacon of hope and a leader in addressing food security in the Philadelphia region.

Over its 40 years, Philabundance has evolved from a small food rescue organization to an innovative, impactful and collaborative organization distributing more than 50 million pounds of food a year to those in need of emergency food services across nine counties across two states. 

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40 Years Philabundance Anniversary - Fighting Food Insecurity

Celebrate with Us

Throughout the year, we’re hosting a series of inspiring and impactful events to commemorate this milestone and continue our mission to alleviate food insecurity. From fundraising galas to volunteer drives, educational workshops to community outreach initiatives, there’s something for everyone to get involved in. Check out our calendar and be a part of the movement towards a hunger-free future. Together, we can make a difference!

40 Years of Serving Hope

At Philabundance, our dedication to understanding and addressing the challenges of food insecurity drives our constant evolution and expansion. Through our 40 years of working to end hunger, we strive to uplift and empower those in need while advocating for systemic change in our communities.

Key milestones in our journey include:

  •  Moving into our Galloway Warehouse in South Philadelphia.
  •  Inaugurating the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) in 2000, a transformative program offering culinary arts training and meal production.
  • Philabundance merges with the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank to offer a full plate of services.
  •  Broadening our mission in 2019 to include Ending Hunger for Good, a commitment to tackling the underlying causes of food insecurity.
  •  Celebrating the relocation of the Philabundance Community Kitchen to its state-of-the-art facility in North Philadelphia in early Fall 2020, marking two decades of progress and impact.
  • Adapting swiftly in 2020 to the challenges posed by COVID-19, doubling our food output and reconfiguring operations to meet escalating demand while navigating unprecedented obstacles.
  • Honored to have President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden join our volunteers in service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in both 2021, 2022 and 2024 underscoring our commitment to community engagement.
  •  Embracing our dedication to providing familiar, nutritious foods to our communities with the launch of our Good Food Policy in early 2022, ensuring access to the foods people know and love.

 

As we reflect on our journey and celebrate our achievements, we remain steadfast in our mission to combat hunger and build a brighter, more nourished future for all.

 
 

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40 YEARS, 40 VOices

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Providing Food for Today - Providing Hope for Tomorrow

Help Us Continue to Fight to End Hunger