Food4Philly Newsletter - June 2023
Read about our news and latest updates.
Hello Food4Philly community!
We are thrilled to provide you with an update on our recent accomplishments. In the past month, we have been able to achieve some of our goals and build new relationships. Here are some highlights:
About Us
Every year, 119 billion pounds of food in the United States of America goes to waste. That’s between 30-40 percent of the food supply in this country. In other words, that's 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in wasted food every single year.
At the same time, we have seen devastating food shortages all over the world, especially in our local communities. These shortages and supply chain issues which caused a great deal of suffering were only heightened by the COVID-19 Pandemic, but surprisingly, there is a silver lining.
The pandemic, with all the chaos and pain it caused, also brought much-needed attention to the people in our community who were in need of assistance. Food insecurity is one of the principal causes of hardship around the world, and more people than ever before are being affected. In response to this, organizations of all kinds rose up to the challenge to help people in need.
Food4Philly is a student-run nonprofit organization based in the greater Philadelphia area, working to alleviate food insecurity while promoting collaboration and inclusivity. Food4Philly works both in traditional food drives and fundraising events, as well as coordinates with restaurants, big and small, in our area to ensure that any food they may potentially waste is instead distributed to those most in need. These establishments provide Food4Philly volunteers with excess food, which our volunteers then distribute to all members of our community who struggle with food insecurity.
Food4Philly was founded by a small group and high schoolers who recruited fellow classmates to help the cause. In being student-run, Food4Philly encourages students and younger people to rise to higher levels of civic responsibility, helping to make a difference in the lives of others.
Our Achievements
Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer and Delco Today
We are thrilled to have been featured in both the Philadelphia Inquirer and Delco Today this past month. These features not only raise awareness about Food4Philly's mission to fight hunger in Philadelphia, but also acknowledge the incredible work being done by our team. These articles highlight exactly the type of work Food4Philly does and the people it reaches, as well showcases what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
A link to the articles can be found here:
Volunteered with Sharing Excess on Juneteenth Event
Last week, we had an incredible opportunity to volunteer for the Sharing Excess nonprofit at a Juneteenth event. Not only was it inspiring to work together to distribute food to those in need, but we were also able to meet new people and foster new relationships.
Sharing Excess is a fantastic nonprofit that works to reduce food waste and provide food for those in need. We are so excited to have had the chance to partner with them and look forward to working with them again in the future.
Potential New Chapters
We are currently in the process of exploring the creation of new chapters of Food4Philly outside of Philadelphia. We have identified a few areas in the region where we can make a significant impact and help feed more people, and are excited to pursue this new direction.
Co-Founders Graduating
As with every student-run organization, the time comes when team members graduate and move on from their roles. We are sad to see our co-founders graduating but we are forever grateful for their contributions to Food4Philly. They have left an unforgettable mark on our organization, and we promise to maintain their legacy for years to come.
New Team Members
Finally, we are thrilled to announce that we have new team members joining Food4Philly. These new members bring with them new ideas, energy, and enthusiasm which we are very excited to have on board. We look forward to building and growing with them as a team, working together to achieve more and bring our mission to life.
Currently, these new members consist of 2 young men from The Haverford School, Milan Varma and Reilly Pryma. These aspiring leaders have been selected by the Food4Philly team to work as executives for the organization, and have shown commitment to civic engagement in all they do. Check out their biographies on our website to learn more.
Ways to Stay Involved
Here at Food4Philly, we are working hard to raise funds and find partners to give us the necessary recourses and platforms to help as many people as possible. At the same time, donations and contributions from our community are always greatly appreciated as they help us in our mission.
The links below can take you to our donation pages like Venmo, PayPal, and GoFundMe. Thank you for all your kind support!
We would like to remind you that there are many ways you can stay involved with Food4Philly. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission, team members, and accomplishments. Finally, if you're interested in volunteering with us or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you so much for your sustained support of Food4Philly. We are excited to continue making positive changes in our community with your help.
Best regards,
The Food4Philly Team