Philabundance
Philabundance is a non-profit food bank that serves the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley regions of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the largest such organization in the region. The organization stated goal is to end hunger in its communities.
History
The organization was founded in 1984 by Pam Lawler. In 2005, it merged with The Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, and the new entity operates under the name Philabundance.Organization
Philabundance serves 90,000 people each week, 30% of whom are children, 15% of whom are seniors, and others. It has programs and a network of 350 agencies.Philabundance works with local grocers and farmers for food management; in 2016, it rescued 10 million pounds of food. The organization also hosts events alongside the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger.
Philabundance's partner, the Chester County Food Bank, and other Feeding America food banks have partnered with colleges to provide food to schools.
Programs
- Fresh For All Program – Operated at nine locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it has the goal of serving greens.
- Senior Boxes Program – Gives USDA-sponsored food boxes to approximately 5,000 low-income senior citizens.
- Philabundance Community Kitchen – A job training program for the unemployed.
- Grocers Against Hunger – Allows participating grocers to donate surplus inventory to Philabundance. In 2015, the program saved approximately 10 million pounds of produce.
- KidsBites – KidsBites has provided almost 250,000 pounds of food to people. Philabundance offers several other program models: Mobile Pantry, BackPacks, and LunchBoxes.