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PHILADELPHIA CHICK-FIL-A RESTAURANTS SUPPORT PHILABUNDANCE WITH FUNDRAISER & $50,000 CONTRIBUTION TO ITS COMMUNITY KITCHEN
Local franchises also partner with the Flyers to promote a virtual food drive
PHILADELPHIA, PA—(April 12, 2021)—Philabundance is getting a boost from some folks who know food: More than 70 Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia area.
From April 12 to 24, participating Chick-fil-A restaurants will donate a portion of sales from their Chocolate Fudge Brownies directly to Philabundance. The restaurants are also donating $50,000 to the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK), a job training and meal production facility in North Philadelphia that promotes the self-sufficiency of its students by preparing them for and connecting them to work in the food service industry.
During that same time period, Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Philadelphia area are partnering with the Philadelphia Flyers to promote a virtual food drive benefitting Philabundance. Participants can visit the virtual food drive web site and “shop” for items to donate, including 33 boxes of Whole Grain Pasta for $10, 70 bottles of apple juice for $50 and 200 bags of rice for $100.
“Philabundance wants to end hunger for good and we can only do that with community support. Having the Philadelphia-area Chick-fil-A restaurants and the Philadelphia Flyers supporting, promoting and donating to our mission will make a huge difference,” said Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create an unprecedented need. We are feeding more families than ever, making every food drive crucial to our mission. The Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia-area Chick-fil-A restaurants recognize that we’re all in this together.”
Chick-fil-A’s contribution will directly support six students taking classes at the Philabundance Community Kitchen. Since launching in 2000, the 16-week culinary vocation training program has taught knife skills and life skills to almost 1,000 graduates. Students learn how to dice, slice and julienne and have the organization’s support as they seek work. The program is free to students and costs the organization about $7,600 per student.
In addition, Chick-fil-A will gift sets of chef’s knives to the program’s graduates this year.
“We are proud to partner with Philabundance as they make an impact on individuals in need and prepare them for lifelong success,” said Sam Class, local restaurant Operator of Chick-fil-A Audubon. “At Chick-fil-A, our mission is to care for our communities through genuine hospitality and delicious food, and we are thrilled to continue that mission with Philabundance.”
The need for food in the region is growing. According to Feeding America, Philadelphia ranked as one of the nation’s 10 most food-insecure cities.
“With so many local families in need, we are grateful for the chance to work with Chuck Fil A and Philabundance to do our part and help those facing food insecurity,” said Mike Shane, Philadelphia Flyers Chief Business Officer. “Here in Philadelphia, people care about their neighbors and do whatever they can to lend a helping hand. That’s what this effort is all about.”
In 2020, Philabundance distributed more than 50 million pounds of food, almost double the amount distributed in 2019. The organization expects need to keep growing in 2021. It is responding with increased food purchasing – the monthly budget grew from $120,000 to $500,000 – and new programs designed for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including restaurant workers and seniors living alone. It also established an emergency, drive-through food distribution post at Citizens Bank Park, not far from the Flyers’ home ice in the Wells Fargo Center.
About Philabundance
Philabundance is driving hunger from our communities today and working to end hunger for good. It distributes more than 50 million pounds annually through a network of 350 partners including food pantries, houses of worship, hospitals, schools, libraries and other service providers. Philabundance serves 135,000 people each week including college students, single parents and people who are working– a number that continues to grow due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Give now or learn more at Philabundance.org.
About Philabundance Community Kitchen
Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) is a 16-week culinary vocational training program which has been transforming the lives of low-income women and men since 2000. Students who are accepted into the program have the opportunity to earn ServSafe certificates; have internships in the culinary industry; prepare meals for those in need; and receive retention services by PCK staff for two years after graduation. While PCK promotes the self-sufficiency of its students by preparing them to work in commercial kitchens, another focus of the curriculum is on life skills, which helps students not just secure a job but a second chance as life. Learn more at Philabundance.org/PCK.
