June 13, 2008

Kids Are At Greater Risk Of Going To Bed Hungry This Summer

PHILADELPHIA -- June 13, 2008 –As schools let out for the summer, 268,000 children in the region may go to bed hungry without the free or reduced meals they receive through school lunch programs. Getting food to these children will be even more challenging this summer with the increased demand for food, which is up 58 percent at the regions’ community cupboards and pantries that get food from Philabundance, who has 34% less food then it did last year at this time.

In 2007, 268,000 children received free or reduced lunch through the Department of Education’s Free Lunch Program and most also receive breakfast through a state program in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer and Salem Counties in New Jersey. In Philadelphia, 140,203 children enrolled in public schools rely on meals provided through the school throughout the school year.  Many of these children will now go without these essential meals during the summer months.   

This summer will prove to be especially critical as organizations like Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, experience food shortages in the face of rising demand. Philabundance’s food donations are down 16 percent for this period last year, which translates to four million less pounds. Most of the 600 member agencies in the network traditionally see an increased demand over the summer months, when families must provide two more meals to children who are home from school.  This year families will struggle even more to make ends meet during this economic downturn, with high food and gas prices.

There are other organizations ensuring children have access to proper nutrition in the region like the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Nutritional Development Services (NDS); the Department of Education through the Department of Recreation and the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and the Philadelphia School System. In addition to these programs, Philabundance’s Fresh Foundations provides nonprofit daycare and children’s programs with free weekly deliveries of fresh produce, bread and milk to establish he building blocks of healthy eating habits. Last year the Philabundance program delivered approximately 198,000 pounds of produce, bread and dairy to 20 programs serving children in low-income areas. During the summer, many of these agencies use the milk, produce and bread Philabundance provides through the Fresh Foundations program to help feed the children lunch or snacks. Milk and produce are the biggest food expenditures for most programs.

“Philabundance is committed to making sure kids don’t go hungry this summer,” says Bill Clark , Philabundance’s president and executive director. “Hunger among children has ramifications that extend beyond poor nutrition. There is direct evidence that links family food insecurity to health problems, behavioral issues and poor academic performance. Together we can help ensure that kids get the proper nutritional needs during these critical months.”

According to the most recent U.S. Census Data, on any given night, more than 13 million children living in the United States go to bed hungry. A study on child hunger by the Philadelphia GROW Project, found that Philadelphia has one of the highest child poverty rates in the United States, with one child out of three living at or below the federal poverty line.

Citizens Bank presented a $25,000 grant from the Citizens Charitable Foundation and announced a new fundraising effort called the “Phillies Phavorite” raffle on June 11th. Fans attending the Citizens Bank Businessperson’s Special games on June 18, July 10, and August 7 will be invited to participate in a raffle to win special items. Seven winners will be announced at the Citizens Bank Businessperson’s Special game on September 10. The money raised from the raffle will be donated to Philabundance.

As part of June’s Children’s Hunger Awareness Month, Philabundance is calling on the community to help in the fight against childhood hunger in the Delaware Valley. In an effort to meet children’s needs for proper nutrition this summer and offset demand, Philabundance is organizing several initiatives including food and fund drives that are aimed to help pick up where the school lunch programs leave off.  Get invloved and help.

Bowl Over Kids Hunger – June 1 to 30

Help in the fight against children’s hunger with a purchase of a special bowl for Father's Day, or anytime in June. With every purchase, $2 is donated to Philabundance. Visit one of the participating pottery studios listed below in your area and paint the selected bowl that will help kids. Your participation will help provide lunch for a week for a child in need, and serve as a great gift for Dad.

-Color Me Mine, Elkins Park, PA, 215-887-1347

-Paint N Pottery, 15 W Oakland Ave., Doylestown, PA, 215-348-9003

-All Fired Up, 602 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ, 856-833-1330

Keswick Theatre Food Drive –June 1 to June 30

The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA will be collecting non-perishable food items in their lobby throughout the month of June.  Patrons are encouraged to bring a non=perishable food donations when attending any performances during June and all well-wishers are urged to stop by the Keswick Theatre’s lobby from 10AM-5PM, Monday through Friday to make a donation even if not attending a performance.

Philabundance Corporate Challenge – June 25

Philabundance is encouraging corporations to participate in this year’s June Corporate Challenge, an annual volunteer and fundraising effort that pits one company against another in a friendly contest of sorting and packaging food to benefit the Children’s Hunger Initiative.

Polymer/The Classic Benefit/Food Drive - June 28

The Classic record release show at the North Star Bar will feature four great Philly bands:  Reality Stricken, Phantasm, The Revere, and Polymer/The Classic.  Tickets are $10 and proceeds will be donated to Philabundance. Show attendees are encouraged to bring two non-perishable items to the event.  Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m., must be 21 for admittance.

In addition to these activities, residents can organize their own food/fund drives during the summer months. To see the essential items that kids need.

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