Dear Friends,

The past few months, and especially weeks leading up to this letter, have shown all of us just how fragile our economy is right now. Just about everywhere we turn, there are stories about the rising unemployment rate, number of people in danger of losing their homes, and the anticipated jump this year in home heating costs. And then there’s the “sticker shock” we all experience at the end of the grocery check-out line. None of us are immune to the effects of our faltering economy.

The fact that most of us are carefully weighing whether we really need that item we’re considering buying serves as a reminder to me—and all of us here at Philabundance—just how more serious life’s choices have become for our neighbors who were already struggling, or even just getting by.

We’re seeing even higher numbers of people seeking help at member agency pantries throughout our ten (ten) county service area in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Even families who have been able to get by in the past are starting to look for help to keep enough food on the table.

Our FRESH FOR ALL direct distribution program continues to grow far beyond our expectations. We specifically targeted neighborhoods in need for this program—with the help of studies done for us by Temple University’s Center for Sustainable Communities in Ambler—to distribute much-needed produce and bread directly to struggling families and individuals. Each week we see working people whose paycheck no longer stretches far enough to cover all their food as well as their other living expenses, and seniors looking for and needing the fresh fruits and vegetables they can no longer afford on their fixed incomes.

In the past couple of months we have received calls and a letter or two to thank Philabundance—and so, you—for being there, in their own neighborhood, to help put fresh food on their table. Without your help and support, there would not be a light at the end of the tunnel for so many of our neighbors helped by FRESH FOR ALL. We just can’t thank you enough for caring so much.

As winter approaches and we need to turn on the heat, we know it will be an even bigger struggle for the people we’ve been seeing, as well as for those we have not yet reached.

We know that many of you, too, have already begun struggling with choices and the impact of tough economic times on your budgets and resources. Even so, we ask you to consider sharing whatever you can to continue to help our hungry neighbors put food on their table.

Thanks so much for your continued support. Together we can help our neighbors in need.

Sincerely,

 

William J. Clark
President and Executive Director

P.S. Please accept our heartfelt thanks to all of you who stepped up to help us save our Milk Program. Especially in these times, we are happy to report that we have enough funding to continue supporting these local programs for at least the next two years.