In This Issue
Loree’s Table
page 2
Beet Hunger Bash Marks 40 Years of Impact
page 3
Making an Impact During a Time of Uncertainty page 4-5
Turning Ideas Into Action page 6
In the Community with Philabundance page 7
Loree D. Jones Brown Chief Executive Officer
Dear Friends,
At Philabundance, we know that the summer months present a unique challenge for many of the families we serve. During the school year, children can rely on at least one healthy, nutritious meal each day. In the summer, our neighbors are asked to do more with less— less food, less support, fewer resources.
We understand, because we feel it too. Across the country, food banks like ours are facing the harsh reality that $1 billion in federal funding has been cut or canceled. We see our most vulnerable populations—not just our children, but our seniors—without the guarantee of their next healthy meal. We recognize the real danger of sicker, hungrier communities due to drastic cuts to vital programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
So, just as we have done for 40 years, we will continue to forge ahead—advocating for those who need it most and persisting in the face of these mounting challenges. This is possible in large part thanks to donors and champions like you.
The pages that follow offer just a snapshot of our ongoing work, and I hope you see yourselves in the programs, priorities, and people your support directly impacts.
As we close out our year-long 40th anniversary celebration, I would be remiss not to reflect on where it all began—when Pamela Rainey Lawler, confronted with an insurmountable problem, did the only thing she could: she took action.
Today, we are proud to build on her legacy, channeling that same courage, passion, and conviction into our work each and every day.
On behalf of all of us here at Philabundance, thank you for your fearless partnership.
Yours in service,
Loree D. Jones Brown Chief Executive Officer
BOARD CHAIR
Dixie James
VICE CHAIR
BJ Clark
Noel Eisenstat
John Hollway
TREASURER
Elizabeth Ireland
SECRETARY
Niki Hawkins
MEMBERS
Bassam Awadalla
Mayra Bergman
Scott Jackson
Pam Rainey Lawler
David Leone
Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD
Marisa Magnatta
Cheryl Martin
David Miller
Desiree Murphy Morrissey
Aleni Pappas
Todd Peterson
Martin Phillips
Milton Pratt, Jr.
Estelle Richman
John Ruane
Nyeema Watson, PhD
Angela Wurster
TRUSTEE
Alan Casnoff
On Wednesday, May 14, Philabundance hosted the Beet Hunger Bash, a vibrant celebration of culinary excellence and community impact in honor of our 40th anniversary. Held at The Pump House in Bala Cynwyd, the evening brought together more than 350 food lovers, supporters, and partners for an unforgettable night of tasting, storytelling, and purpose.
Guests enjoyed exclusive bites from more than 20 of the region’s top restaurants and chefs, including Top Chef winner and James Beard Award Finalist Nicholas Elmi (Lark, Laurel, The Pump House), as well as James Beard Award winners Cristina Martinez (South Philly Barbacoa) and Jeff Michaud (Osteria). While indulging in Philadelphia’s finest flavors, attendees also had the chance to learn more about Philabundance’s mission and the vital role they play in feeding nearly 700,000 food insecure neighbors across our region.
“For 40 years, Philabundance has been fighting hunger and nourishing our communities,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance. “As we mark this milestone, we are looking ahead with an even greater commitment to fighting hunger in bigger and bolder ways. Food is at the heart of everything we do, and as food insecurity rates continue to grow, so does our responsibility to serve.”
A highlight of the night was the participation of students from the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) workforce development program. PCK students contributed three signature bites to the tasting experience and worked the event alongside chefs and volunteers,
giving guests a firsthand look at the professionalism, talent, and transformation this program nurtures.
Founded in 1984 by Pamela Rainey Lawler, Philabundance began as a grassroots food rescue effort. Today, it stands as a regional leader in hunger relief, distributing more than 50 million pounds of food each year, advancing workforce development, and tackling hunger at its roots.
“It was an incredible honor to be part of the Beet Hunger Bash and stand alongside so many talented chefs in support of Philabundance’s 40th anniversary. As chefs, we work with food every day—but this event reminds us of its deeper power to build community and drive change. Philabundance has been a lifeline for so many in our region, and I’m proud to contribute to a cause that ensures everyone has a seat at the table.” — Chef Michael Loughlin, Dolce Italian.
“When I founded Philabundance in 1984, it began with a simple idea—that good food should never go to waste when so many are in need,” said Lawler. “To see how far we’ve come is truly humbling. The Beet Hunger Bash is more than a celebration—it’s a testament to the power of community.”
The Beet Hunger Bash served as both a joyful reflection and a powerful call to action. Hunger is a complex challenge, but together, we hold the solution. With continued support from generous individuals like you, we can build a future where everyone has access to the food—and dignity—they deserve.
Thank you to our generous sponsors! For a complete list of our sponsors and talented chefs, please see page 8.
Map the Meal Gap
The most recent Map the Meal Gap numbers, a survey conducted by Feeding America, show that the number of food insecure people in our service area has grown for the second year in a row. See some of the most recent numbers on hunger in our region below.
INCREASE IN FOOD INSECURITY RATES IN JUST TWO YEARS 44%
691,570 NEIGHBORS IN NEED
1 in 8 people
1 in 6 children (1 in 3 children in Philadelphia)
As recent and potential federal funding changes provide challenges for the future, Philabundance continues to provide for those in need today.
Behind every meal Philabundance provides is a network of dedicated supporters, community partners, and public programs working together to fight hunger. Right now, we’re facing challenges that threaten our ability to meet rising needs, and it’s important for you, our supporters, to know how we are working to overcome these changes to continue serving our neighbors.
Feeding America’s recent Map the Meal Gap study shows food insecurity is rising across the country for the second consecutive year, reaching a national rate of 14.3%—the highest since 2014. In our service area, hunger has even surpassed pandemic-era levels, with nearly 700,000 individuals, including 1 in 3 children in Philadelphia, now facing food insecurity. That is a 44% increase in just two years.
At a time when more people are turning to us for help, we are simultaneously seeing some of our most important resources pulled away. Without adequate funding and affordable food prices, it becomes harder to stretch limited resources to meet growing demand.
At the start of 2025, two key programs that have helped Philabundance feed our neighbors were reduced or eliminated. The Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, which enabled us to buy fresh food from Pennsylvania farmers, has been eliminated, resulting in a
loss of $1.5 million in funding, representing 18% of our overall food purchase budget for next year. We also lost a portion of our funding through The Emergency Food Assistance Program Commodity Credit Corporation (TEFAP CCC) program– a loss of $525,000 worth of food this year. Uncertainty around TEFAP CCC going forward continues to be a cause for concern. Without it, we project a loss of around $2,000,000 worth of food for 2026.
In addition to LFPA and TEFAP CCC, proposed cuts to many other programs such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP, or the Senior Box Program), school meals, and Medicaid would have a significant impact on those we serve. These changes could have longterm consequences for the programs that help keep families, children, and seniors fed. Without them, there would be significant increase in the number of people turning to Philabundance, putting a greater strain on food banks and our resources.
While these challenges are real, we remain hopeful, because we’ve seen what is possible when this community comes together. In response, Philabundance is actively advocating for stronger anti-hunger policies, meeting with our elected officials, mobilizing donors, evaluating our budget and efficiencies, and supporting our community partners with food, funds, and professional resources. With your support, we will continue to stand by our neighbors and be a lifeline for years to come.
To stay updated on the most recent changes and how you can support our mission, please scan the QR code or visit www.philabundance.org/Funding.
Food insecurity exists in every ZIP code in America, and for the 2nd year in a row, rates rose in all 9 counties we serve.
Philadelphia: Over 277K people (1 in 6, including 1 in 3 children)
Bucks: Over 64K people (1 in 10, including 1 in 9 children)
Chester: Over 49K people (1 in 11, including 1 in 11 children)
Delaware: Over 66K people (1 in 9, including 1 in 6 children)
Montgomery: Over 85K people (1 in 10, including 1 in 9 children)
Burlington: Over 42K people (1 in 11, including 1 in 8 children)
Camden: Over 66K people (1 in 8, including 1 in 6 children)
Gloucester: Over 30K people (1 in 10, including 1 in 8 children)
Salem: Over 8.5K people (1 in 8, including 1 in 5 children)
April was National Volunteer Month! In 2024, thousands of dedicated volunteers joined our mission by sharing their time and talents to help drive hunger from our communities. Want to volunteer with us? Visit www.philabundance.org/volunteeropportunities and sign up today!
2024 Volunteer Impact
3,673 volunteers joined our mission 22,810 hours served 33,000 senior food boxes packed 304,094 Philabundance Community Kitchen meals prepared
975,719 pounds of food sorted $763,915 dollars saved thanks to volunteers
On March 14, Philabundance hosted the Hunger Action Symposium at Rutgers University–Camden—an urgent and inspiring gathering of advocates, policymakers, and community leaders committed to ending hunger. The event brought together diverse voices, lived experiences, and innovative strategies aimed at one goal: turning ideas into impact and building a more just, equitable food system for all.
The need has never been more pressing. In just one year, food insecurity in our region has surged to 691,570 people—and in Philadelphia, one in three children now faces hunger.
“The numbers are moving in the wrong direction,” said Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones Brown. “And with the economic and policy changes we anticipate, we’re worried they’ll only get worse.”
Jones Brown emphasized that hunger doesn’t exist in isolation. “We ask our neighbors, ‘What do you need?’ And they tell us: healthy food, culturally responsive options, and the dignity of choice,” she shared. “The solution to hunger isn’t just food—it’s housing. It’s healthcare. It’s economic opportunity.”
The symposium also highlighted the power of lived experience. Barbie Izquierdo, an advocate with Feeding America, shared her story of working full-time and still struggling to feed her children. “Making ends meet was difficult—and facing the stigma of food insecurity made it even harder,” she said.
Policy and advocacy took center stage, with powerful remarks from State Senators Sharif Street and Vincent Hughes, Assemblyman William Spearman, and representatives from U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s office. Together, they called for the protection of programs like SNAP and year-round student meal funding. They also warned of the consequences of recent federal funding cuts—including the loss of $1.5 million in food purchasing power for Philabundance next year.
“We have so much capacity in this country,” Senator Hughes reminded the audience. “How do we allow our children, our adults, our seniors, to go without food?”
And yet, the tone of the day was not despair—it was determination. “This is not the time to be passive,” one panelist declared. “This is the time to be bold.”
“Hunger isn’t inevitable. It isn’t unsolvable,” said Jones Brown in her closing call to action. “But only if we work together.”
Feed!
Check out some of the things we’ve been up to recently throughout our region to serve our neighbors in need and drive hunger from our community!
Penn Medicine Assist
MARCH 11. FAMILY PROMISE MONTCO PA: Our community partner, Family Promise Montco, opened their first food lockers to help neighbors access nutritious food with dignity and flexibility.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Title Sponsor
Free People
Squash Hunger Sponsor
Hess Foundation; Lily Foundation
Can Hunger Sponsor
Leidy’s
Toast Hunger Sponsor
NRG; 6abc
Hunger Hero Sponsor
ACME; Rutgers – Camden; Ballard Spahr; Jefferson Health; Wawa; Cashman & Associates; The Leone Family
Big Spoon
Allegiance Group + Pursuant; CHOP; Niki Hawkins; Wild Fork; Fresh Grocer; Shop Rite; The Michaels Development Company; The Peterson Family
Lil’ Spoon
BNY; Foxwynd Foundation; South Restaurant; Sprouts; Team Clean; Temple Athletics; WIPFLI; Wonder; PHLY Insurance Company; P.A. China Farm; Archer & Greiner; The Jackson Family
Thank you to our Culinary Partners, including our Host Chef Nicholas Elmi!
Amy’s Pastelillos, Amaryllis Rivera Nassar
Banana Nana Pudding, Denée Bynum
Co-Op, Nicole Bell
Chef Daniel Stern
Darnel’s Cakes, Kyle Cuffie-Scott and Joe Lope
Dolce Italian, Gerron Douglas
Éclat Chocolate, Christopher Curtin
Em Wilson Pastry, Em Wilson
High Street Hospitality, Ellen Yin
Jamaican Jerk Hut, Lisa Wilson
Jezabel’s, Jezabel Careaga
Kiddo, Wyatt Piazza
Lark/Laurel/Pump House, Nicholas Elmi
Lovechild, Elijah Milligan
Melograno/L’Anima, Maria and Gianluca Demontis
Osteria, Jeff Michaud
Pizzeria Salvy, Marc Vetri
Rice & Sambal, Diana Widjojo
Cicala/Sorellina, Joe Cicala
South Philly Barbacoa, Cristina Martinez
Since 1984, Philabundance has grown, adapted, and responded to help our neighbors in need, thanks to our generous and caring community of donors. You can support our work today, and beyond, by including Philabundance in your estate as part of the Philabundance Legacy Society.
Visit philabundance.mylegacygift.org to learn how you can establish a legacy of fighting hunger today.
Questions? Contact our development office at giving@philabundance.org or 215-339-0900.
3616 South Galloway Street Philadelphia, PA 19148
www.philabundance.org
