NOTEWORTHY: Philabundance in the News – August 2018

By Samantha Retamar, Communications Coordinator

 

Now in the midst of back to school season, families and college students may have to choose between books and meals. Shedding a light on hunger in our communities, as a year round issue and not just an occurrence during the holidays, is imperative and that’s why press coverage like the following is so important:

 

1. College Hunger

 

Jessica Griffin | Philly.com

 

College hunger has been a silent issue for years, with many students not even realizing they are food insecure. Many colleges across the country are opening food panties to combat this growing issue.

 

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an article about the reality of college hunger, highlighting Temple University’s Cherry Pantry, as well as interviewing Philabundance Communications Coordinator Samantha Retamar about her struggle with college hunger.

 

2. Philabundance Community Kitchen and PCKatering

 

 

Via NBC10

 

Via Telemundo 62

 

Philabundance Community Kitchen is a free 14-week culinary arts and job training program that provides low-income adults with a second chance at life. The program not only focuses on culinary skills, but has a strong emphasis on life skills, leading students to a path of self-sufficiency.

 

The program recently launched a social enterprise called PCKatering, which allows students to gain catering experience to put on their resumes, as well as provides funds to put back into the free transformational program.

 

3. Vanguard donates 2.3 million meals to those in need

 

Via Daily Local

 

Vanguard, an international investment management company, held its 22nd annual All Cans on Deck food drive benefitting local hunger relief organizations. The company donated 2.3 million meals to those in need, with 1.3 million meals dispersed amongst several area food banks including Philabundance.

 

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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