Dear Friends,

A few months ago, most of us knew little of the dangers of deep water drilling. It was a problem “out there” that belonged to somebody else. It did not touch our lives or our hearts until it exploded in our faces.

You and I know that there is another problem seemingly “out there” that threatens lives, livelihood and the health of our society, but it does not often make the nightly news. Like the leaking oil, it too can be hidden well below the surface, easy to overlook or dismiss as someone else’s responsibility. It too is corrosive and invasive, wreaking havoc for generations to come. That problem is hunger.

Together, we are on the frontline of this “natural disaster.” Together, we are mustering not only the muscle but also the creative solutions that this crisis demands. In the last year, our Emergency Relief Initiative has responded to the 35% increase in the need for food assistance in the Delaware Valley. With news of the ending of the extension of unemployment benefits, we expect the numbers to increase.

In this newsletter you will read about some of the vital partnerships that are contributing to “capping” the problem of hunger in the Delaware Valley --from SEPTA employees and riders who contribute to the “Stop Hunger at Your Station” program, to home gardeners who “Share the Harvest” with their hungry neighbors. You’ll see that once again Hatfield Quality Meats is turning homeruns into ham and Linvilla Orchards is marking September 11 with bushels full of generosity. Whether it’s a student food drive or a corporate campaign, every hand and heart is a vital part of the solution.

Thank you for being there when no TV cameras are rolling and no trumpets are blaring. Your help feeding families and insuring a good future for the children of the Delaware Valley does not go unnoticed. I hope you’ll take a few minutes now to see the progress we are making together. This summer, the harvest is promising.

With gratitude,

William J. Clark
President and Executive Director