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.^[2][3] The organization stated goal is to end hunger in its communities.^[4]

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.^[5][6][7]

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.^{[8][9][10][11]}

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.^[12]

Trends

Most of Philabundance's 15,000 volunteers are also clients, especially at its Fresh for All program. These volunteers spend 2–3 hours a week distributing food to others.^[13]

Philabundance's partner, the Chester County Food Bank,^[14] and other Feeding America food banks have partnered with colleges to provide food to schools.^[15][16]

Programs

• Fresh For All Program – Operated at nine locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it has the goal of serving greens.^[17][18]
• Senior Boxes Program – Gives USDA-sponsored food boxes to approximately 5,000 low-income senior citizens.^[19]
• Philabundance Community Kitchen – A job training program for the unemployed.^[20]
• Grocers Against Hunger – Allows participating grocers to donate surplus inventory to Philabundance. In 2015, the program saved approximately 10 million pounds of produce.^[21]
• KidsBites – KidsBites has provided almost 250,000 pounds of food to people. Philabundance offers several other program models: Mobile Pantry, BackPacks, and LunchBoxes.^[22]

Fundraising contributions

Following are some of the largest annual contributions:

• Phans Feeding Families: The Philadelphia Phillies and the Citizens Bank sponsor the annual Phans Feeding Families program, which consists of a night at the ballpark at which there are raffles and fundraisers, as well as food collections at AT&T station and Citizens Bank Park. Citizen Bank makes an annual donation of $40,000 to support Philabundance's KidsBites initiative.^[23][24]
• SEPTA Stop Hunger at Your Station – The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) supports Philabundance annually by collecting money for food at more than 40 SEPTA stations.^[25][26]
• 93.3 WMMR's Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger – Since 1998, Preston & Steve have held a five-day "Camp Out for Hunger" event, most recently, at the Xfinity Live! complex. This raises more than 2.6 million pounds of food, US$200,000 in 2019, and over 14 million pounds since its inception.^[27]
• 6 ABC's Holiday Food Drive: Each year, 6 ABC and partners Dunkin' Donuts and ACME raise food, funds, and awareness of Philabundance from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Elements of the campaign include donations at ACME stores, a 6 ABC telethon, and Dunkin' Donuts in-store promotions.^[28]
• Toyota Hauls Away Hunger: The Toyota Dealership Association of the Delaware Valley holds a food drive each December, with around 50 Tundras caravaning from Philabundance's warehouse in North Philly to Citizen Bank Park's parking lot.^[29]
• Fraud Street Run: Two Philadelphia runners, Chip and Jeff of the Junk Miles podcast, organised a charity run inspired by the Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference. The event raised nearly US$63,000.^[30]