Volunteer sets up community kitchen

The recession has made a large impact on many places throughout the country; Philadelphia is no exception, unfortunately. A quarter of Philadelphia’s population lives in poverty according to the 2009 Census Bureau report. Many people lost their jobs while others have had to take pay cuts or have their hours cut so all walks of life have been affected in one way or another.

“Unemployment, underemployment, lack of jobs and lack of education all contribute to a high poverty rate in Philadelphia,” Marlo DelSordo, Philabundance Director of Marketing and Communications, said. “Right now, we are seeing many parts of the population seeking out food from Philabundance.”

Increased Need for Help with Decrease of Donation

Philabundance agencies help fight hunger and food insecurity in the Delaware Valley. The non-profit organization has seen a 22 percent increase in need over the past year and a 66 percent increase over the past two years.

According to DelSordo, poor global weather conditions and the increase in gas prices have driven up the cost of food, so people are in more need now than ever before. When food banks were established 30 years ago one of the assumptions was that a surplus of food would always be available, but that assumption is no longer a reality.

“In these challenging economic times the amount of traditional food donated to Philabundance is decreasing as the urgent need for food assistance grows,” she said.

Philabundance has seen a 68 percent decrease in dry food donations in the last year and a 66 percent decrease in produce donations from Philadelphia’s port. She thinks this trend is not only seen in Philadelphia food banks but across the country.

DelSordo is working strategically to increase the infrastructure of its agencies to provide a larger variety and higher volume of food to our neighbors in need. She is also trying to expand its direct service programs.

There is a Help Available to Everyone

Philabundance has a variety of programs including the Emergency Food Box for people who need immediate access to food. A helpline directs callers to an Emergency Food Box location or a food cupboard near their residence.

The Community Food Center is one of a handful of choice cupboards in the Delaware Valley, allowing clients to “shop” from a wide variety of perishable and non-perishable items weekly. Philabundance also has programs including Grocers Against Hunger, which makes it possible for the organization to get desirable perishable foods into the hands of neighbors who need them. There is also the Philabundance Community Kitchen, which is an adult culinary arts vocational training program that supplies meals to agencies and emergency kitchens in the area.

Lastly, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides food to low-income seniors. Philabundance packs and distributes senior boxes to strategically chosen locations throughout the Delaware Valley, so seniors can have access to shelf-stable foods that last throughout the month.

“Each program speaks to different needs, making each equally as impactful,” DelSordo said. “Through these programs, we are trying to patch the holes in the hunger safety net.”

Klein JCC & Stiffel Senior Center in Philadelphia continues to struggle with a demand in service and a decrease in support from its funding partners. The lack of help is a result of the combined effects of the increase in populations needing support, the difficult economic climate, and the decrease in federal and state resources.

It’s food pantry has experienced more than a 50 percent increase in clients needing food and supplemental support this year when compared to last year. It’s senior services department has experienced a 25 to 30 percent increase in services as well, compared to client’s served three years ago.

“These numbers continue to steadily increase as our contractual revenue from federal, state and combined fundraising often declines,” Raechel Hammer, Chief Operating Officer, Klein & Stiffel, said. “The pressure on non-profits to continually diversify their revenue, increase their donor base and rely on in-depth fundraising campaigns continues to grow.”

Lack of Funds and Access are not Helping

Hammer agrees that the recession that began in late 2007 has contributed greatly to the rise in poverty. She thinks the problem with funding is getting worse due to the state budget constraints that have caused many social service agencies to close their programs or cut back on services to those in need.
More than a quarter million senior citizens are living in Philadelphia. Over 23,000 of them in receive support from over 35 senior centers, including more than 500,000 congregate meals.

“This crisis is not just reflected in Philadelphia, but in many of the states across the country. The biggest difference in Philadelphia is the age and poverty level of the community, we are working with,” Hammer said.

Access to food is becoming more difficult for many parts of the population. People who live more than a mile from the nearest supermarket don’t have to travel long distances to the nearest supermarket, or pay higher prices for lesser-quality food at corner stores. The Food Trust in Philadelphia has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to improve access to healthy food through developing 10 new farmers' markets in low-income communities. They are also working with over 500 corner stores to stock healthier products for consumers.

“Our work is focused on access,” April White, The Food Trust Communications Manager, said. “We’ve developed a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and improved access to healthy, affordable food.”