Philabundance in the News – November 2018

By Samantha Retamar, Communications Coordinator

 

 

November is a time of abundance, from Thanksgiving feasts with all the fixings to Black Friday deals that have shopping malls packed to the brim. While many families revel in this season of food and gifts, many Philabundance clients do not know where their next meal is coming from – or if they will have one at all.

 

Luckily for Philabundance, November is also a time of giving, with corporations, individuals and organizations helping us feed our neighbors in need. The following press coverage played a key role in shedding a light on food insecurity and highlighting the efforts of Philabundance’s allies in the fight against hunger:

 

1. Camp Out for Hunger

 

 

NBC10 anchors playing archery tag to raise food for PHLB | Photos by Chorus Photography

 

6ABC anchors live on air at Camp Out for Hunger | Photos by Chorus Photography

 

93.3 WMMR’s Preston and Steve’s Morning Show held its 21st annual Camp Out for Hunger from November 26-30 at Xfinity LIVE. The week-long event is the largest single location food drive in the country, accounting for more than one third of Philabundance’s food drive donations for the year.

 

This year, Camp Out for Hunger brought in 1.862 million pounds of food and approximately $200,000, providing food for hundreds of thousands of children, seniors and families across the Delaware Valley. Broadening awareness of the event and the crisis of hunger, outlets like 6ABC, The Daily News, FOX29 and NBC10 stopped by, and some even sent familiar faces to the live broadcast!

NBC10 anchors playing archery tag to raise food for PHLB 6ABC anchors live on air at Camp Out for Hunger

 

2. 6abc’s Holiday Food Drive & #GivingTuesday

 

Photo by Samantha Retamar | Philabundance

 

 

6abc’s annual Holiday Food Drive Telethon was a great success! Hosted on #GivingTuesday, an international day of charitable giving, pledges from callers and online donors brought in almost $20,000 in donations to help feed our hungry neighbors. Donors who called in got to speak with some Philebrities, including Eagles Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery, radio personality Mina SayWhat and 6ABC anchor Jim Gardner.

 

In honor of #GivingTuesday, Philabundance’s Julia Kropf was interviewed about how 6abc viewers could help Philabundance reach its #GivingTuesday goal.

 

 

3. Hunger in Philadelphia Increased 22 Percent Over Six Years

 

Photo courtesy of Philly.com | Maggie Loesh

In early November, Hunger Free America released a study that found hunger in Philadelphia has risen 22 percent over six years. To discuss these deplorable numbers, Hunger Free America hosted a press conference at Philabundance, highlighting the ways in which we can alleviate the hunger crisis in our area.

Outlets including 6abc, Billy Penn, Daily News, FOX29, Philly.com and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the staggering numbers.

 

4. Eagles Wide Receiver Hands Out Nearly 400 Thanksgiving Meals

 

 

 

Eagles’ wide receiver Alshon Jeffery teamed up with ACME, Philabundance and Tilden Middle School to provide Tilden students and their families with free Thanksgiving meals. Alshon distributed 382 turkey dinners with all the fixings to those in need and did not leave the school until every family in line got a meal.

Other Press Highlights:

 

 

 

Philabundance Awards 49 Member Agencies with Capacity Grants

Philabundance Awards 49 Member Agencies with Capacity Grants

Philabundance has announced $250,000 in 2025–2027 Capacity Grants for 49 member agencies across Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. This funding will provide the operational capital needed to allow organizations to remain flexible and able to adapt to changing needs.

From faith-based institutions in Delaware County to social service agencies meeting the needs of diverse families across Philadelphia County, the 2025–2027 Philabundance Capacity grantees are among the hundreds of organizations that partner with Philabundance to support the more than 600,000 individuals in our region experiencing food insecurity.

The grantees include

  • Bucks County: Bucks County Opportunity Council; Faith Baptist Church
  • Delaware County: Blessed Virgin Mary; Loaves & Fishes; Prayer Chapel Church of God in Christ
  • Mercer County: Prince of Peace Center
  • Montgomery County: Bethel Community Church; ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narberth; Grace Lutheran Norristown; Love Works Resource Center; Mitzvah Circle; Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard; Patrician Society
  • Philadelphia County: African Family Health Organization; Alexander McClure Elementary School; Bebashi; Bethany Missionary Baptist Church; Breaking Bread on Broad; Bright Hope Baptist Church; Broad Street Love; Brothers of Strawberry Mansion; Calvary Agape Outreach Services; Casa Del Carmen; Cast Your Cares; Christ Apostolic WOSEM; Community Center at Visitation; Episcopal Community Services; The Family Practice & Counseling Network; First Church Worship Center; Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry; Grace Community Christian Center; Kensington Health Sciences Academy; Lutheran Settlement House; Mighty Writers; Mi Salud Wellness; Nationalities Services Center; North Light Community Center; Old Pine Community Center; Open Door Ministries; Our Brothers Place; Paul L Dunbar School; Project H.O.M.E.; Southwest Family Service Center; St. Paul Outreach; Word In Action International Ministries
  • York County: Bethlehem Baptist Church; Mattie Dixon Community Center
  • Southern New Jersey: Puerto Rican Unity for Progress; SisterHood Inc.

Philabundance Capacity Grants help improve each organization’s ability to operate more efficiently and deliver effective food distribution programs and services. To date, $4.4 million dollars in Philabundance Capacity Grants have been allocated for capacity-building infrastructure, such as refrigerators, freezers, refrigerated vans and technology to empower community partners and improve the food distribution network.

“As federal resources continue to shrink and hunger remains a distressing reality in the Greater Philadelphia region, community-based nonprofits are often a lifeline for families in need of healthy food,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance. “Investing directly in our partners and their infrastructure allows us to swiftly and efficiently meet the needs of thousands of our friends and neighbors experiencing food insecurity.”

“Breaking Bread on Broad is [very] grateful for the new refrigerators we will be able to purchase with our Philabundance grant,” said Dan Seltzer, co-leader of Breaking Bread on Broad (BBoB). “Breaking Bread on Broad is the food pantry of Congregation Rodeph Shalom whose mission is to provide our neighbors in need with food, diapers and period supplies each week. With this grant, we will be able to provide our BBoB neighbors with more fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein to better feed their families.”

“​​With this funding, Casa Del Carmen will invest in critical hardware—such as commercial refrigeration, durable shelving, metal prep-table and mini hand pallet jack—that will enhance the efficiency and reliability of our food pantry operations,” said Janet DeJesus, office manager at Casa Del Carmen. “These improvements will allow us to store more fresh and nutritious food, reduce waste, and serve our neighbors more quickly and with greater dignity. By strengthening our infrastructure, we are not only improving daily logistics but also deepening our commitment to food security and community well-being.”

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