Q. What is Philabundance?
A: Philabundance is the region’s largest hunger relief organization, providing emergency food and access to services to approximately 900,000 people at risk of hunger and malnutrition throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond.
Q. Where is Philabundance located?
A. Philabundance has two locations:
Main office – Galloway site
3616 Galloway Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 339-0900
Berks site
302 West Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 739-7394
Q. How does Philabundance help the hungry?
A. We provide food and resources through our programs and network of nearly 500 agencies in the Delaware Valley. Our programs include:
Our member agencies include food cupboards, shelter or residential programs, social service agencies, emergency kitchens, and neighborhood and church distribution programs—all of whom reach low-income people in need. Philabundance provides food to approximately 65,000 people per week at an aggregate cost of less than 30 cents per meal.
Q. Does Philabundance sell food?
A. Philabundance does not re-sell any donated food. All food banks ask their agencies to contribute a nominal portion of the costs of operation by assessing a “shared maintenance fee” on the dry goods that we warehouse and distribute. This fee averages 10¢ per pound. Our costs of operation are almost 30¢ per pound and the market value of the food we distribute is more than $1.50 per pound. By law, clients cannot be charged for food that has been donated for hunger relief. Philabundance monitors our agencies to ensure that this never happens.
Some staple items are more in demand than donations can provide. Philabundance purchases these items and resells them at low prices to our network. We do not sell products if we cannot offer them lower than the market value. Purchased foods make up less than 15% of our total volume to the agency network.
Q. What areas does Philabundance serve?
A. We serve member agencies in nine Delaware Valley counties including: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania and Camden, Gloucester, West Burlington and Salem Counties in New Jersey.
See mapQ. What types of food does Philabundance distribute?
A. Philabundance distributes kitchen staple items and core products that most households or food assistance establishments use on a regular basis, emphasizing nutritious foods that promote good health. We then strategize to meet the demand throughout the Delaware Valley.
Q. How does Philabundance get food?
A. National and local food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, brokers and food distributors donate food to Philabundance. These products, including packaged, canned, perishable and non-perishable foods, meet all food safety and nutrition standards. Philabundance also purchases bulk quantities of staple foods and basic supplies at wholesale prices. For more information about donating food, please
click here.
Q. What happens to donated food?
A. Food goes to our warehouses, where it is sorted, labeled and stored for repacking and distribution.
Q. How is food distributed through Philabundance programs and agencies?
A. Philabundance distributes food to people in need through our direct services.
Q. How much food is distributed?
A. In 2010, we distributed 21 million pounds across the Delaware Valley, 3 million of which were distributed to other area food banks.
Q. Can people receive food directly from Philabundance?
A. Yes! Philabundance distributes food to eligible clients through a number of our own programs. These include:
If you or someone you know needs emergency food assistance, click here to locate food programs in your community.
Q: How can I get food?
A: If you are in need of food assistance, call our Food Help Line at 800-319-Food (3663) Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and a dedicated bilingual staff member will assist you.
Q: How can I become a member agency?
Q: How do I hold a food drive or benefit for Philabundance?
A: Food drives are an easy and effective way to make a difference in the fight against hunger and we can help get you started. Philabundance can provide you with materials to help promote your food drive and we’ll even pick up the donation if your drive collects a minimum of 300 pounds of food.
Visit here for more information.
Q: How do I sign up to volunteer?
A: Philabundance welcomes both individuals and groups. Opportunities to volunteer are available in our warehouse and with select Philabundance programs.
Click here to learn more.
Q: Who qualifies to receive food from Philabundance?
A: Most of Philabundance’s direct service programs serve clients on a self-declared basis of need. The CSFP/senior box program requires seniors to be at least 60 years-old and at or below 130% of the poverty line.
