In the first Spider-Man story ever written, Uncle Ben warns his nephew, Peter Parker (read: Spider-Man’s alter-ego) that as he grows from a boy into a man, he will both acquire the strength to harm and the choice to become a force for good. Although Peter initially rejects Uncle Ben’s advice, as he realizes the gravity of his superpowers, Peter adopts Uncle Ben’s parental direction as his guiding maxim.

Hunger relief organizations like Philabundance work to ensure that our communities have access to the foods they need but we are unable to do so without strong federal policies supporting our fight against hunger. The Farm Bill, a large package of laws that will govern much of the United States’ food policy for the next five years, was reopened for discussion in the House and Senate last week. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees approved bills that deeply cut funding to federal hunger relief programs like SNAP (Food Stamps).

It may not seem like an act of heroism, but your demonstrated support of hunger relief legislation is vital to the protection of our neighbors in need. Calling your Congress people and urging their protection of hunger relief programs like Food Stamps and LIHEAP, which helps people pay for heat in the winter, shows them that their constituents care deeply about individuals coping with hunger and poverty, and those on the verge of having to choose between paying the utility bill or putting food on the table. Although it takes just a few moments, a call to a senator’s office shows that a constituent is willing to take the time and effort to express their concern about a given policy.

You can contact Senator Toomey here and Senator Casey here. Find out your local House Representative here and reach out to them, too.

When Uncle Ben imparted his wisdom to Peter Parker, he did not realize that his nephew would soon be shooting webs out of his forearm and making the world a better place. However, we all have the everyday power to affect change. Those of us who have not encountered any radioactive spiders are unlikely to be foiling any dastardly deeds or maniacal plots. But, each one of us has the great power and concurrent responsibility to strengthen our communities.

More information coming soon!

Download a coupon from The Bagel Factory’s facebook page and bring it to any of the 5 Philadelphia locations to receive 3 FREE bagels. If you have spare change, drop it in the collection bins at the register to support Philabundance.

Locations:

511 Old Lancaster Road
Berwyn, PA 19312

Marple Crossroads Shopping Center
400 South State Road
Springfield, PA 19064

128 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087

510 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

968 County Line Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Event at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal also featured donation of fruit to Philabundance

PHILADELPHIA (May 14, 2013) – Underscoring the importance of his recent trade mission to South America, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, the Chilean Agricultural Minister Luis Mayol Bouchon and senior Chilean agricultural officials today met at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia to observe the unloading of the Bahia Castillo, a refrigerated cargo ship carrying thousands of tons of fresh Chilean fruit to the United States and Canada through the Port of Philadelphia gateway.

As part of the event, approximately 10,000 pounds of Chilean fruit was donated to Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, which loaded the fruit for immediate shipment to its local distribution center.  This donation will help Philabundance provide much-needed produce to hundreds of families in need in the Delaware Valley. Chilean exporters and Holt Logistics have donated more than three million pounds of Chilean fruit to Philabundance and its national partner organization, Feeding America, during the most recent growing season.

“On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Chilean Minister of Agriculture for joining me here today,” said Governor Corbett.  “Our growing trade partnership with Chile provides Pennsylvanians and people throughout the region with year-round access to affordable fresh fruit.

“The opportunities for expanded trade with Chile and other Central and South American countries will continue to deliver outstanding products, generate significant numbers of good jobs throughout the region, and continue the growing momentum of the Port of Philadelphia as an economic gateway to a significant portion of American population.”

Today’s shipment underscores Governor Corbett’s Commonwealth Jobs Trade Mission, which focused on working with trade partners to increase employment opportunities for Pennsylvania residents in areas of logistics, distribution, healthcare, education and energy.  Chile counts the United States as one its largest strategic trading partners in the western hemisphere and has a long-standing Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

“The Chilean fruit trade is vital to the Port of Philadelphia,” said Leo A. Holt, on behalf of Greenwich Terminals, Inc., which operates the Packer Marine Terminal under a lease with the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA).  “The Governor’s recent trade mission lays the foundation for expanding our partnerships with countries throughout Central and South America, which means that we will have the chance to import more fruit and other commodities that strengthen the region’s economy in the process.”

Joining Governor Corbett and Minister Mayol at the event, in addition to Holt, were Gustavo Rojas, National Director, Office of Studies and Agricultural Policy (ODEPA); Benjamin Leavenworth, Consulate of Chile in Philadelphia; Anibal Ariztia, National Director,

Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG); Fernando Astaburuaga, International Affairs Coordinator, Office of Studies and Agricultural Policy (ODEPA); Jose Pedro Arana, Press Officer, Minister’s Cabinet; Ronald Bown, Chairman, Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters (ASOEX); Joaquin Tagle, Agricultural Attaché, Embassy of Chile; and Pedro Bejares, Agricultural Specialist, Agricultural Office.  The parties were joined by Charles Kopp, Chairman of the PRPA, and other Port and regional officials.

Pennsylvania and Chile have a shared history of interchange and understanding.  The Ports of the Delaware River are the largest nexus of arrival for fresh Chilean fruit in the world including excellent and nutritious commodities such as grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots as well as summer citrus products.  Additionally, the largest international chamber of commerce of its kind, the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce, recently celebrated its 25^th year in Philadelphia.

“The Republic of Chile is proud to work with our natural and longstanding trade partner in the United States,” said Joaquin Tagle, Agricultural Attaché to the Embassy of Chile. “The Delaware River Gateway has long been synonymous with excellent Chilean products-most visibly fresh fruit but with deep connections to our forest products, copper, seafood and world famous wine exports. Of the many millions of bottles of wine sold in Pennsylvania each year, 28 percent comes from Chile.”

Chile’s agricultural miracle has propelled it onto the world stage and for half a century has been an inspiration for development models. As its industry has diversified and matured, so has the Chilean economy and international outreach. With products including grain, forestry, meat protein, fish and fresh fruit, Chile stands at the front ranks of innovation, energy and dedication to excellence. Pennsylvania has dedicated increasing resources to the infrastructure that is required to continue this trajectory of growth, as the world has moved to more and more containerization of products, and as the Panama Canal expansion project nears completion, the Commonwealth has doubled down on transportation and been at the front of the fight to deepen the Delaware River.

About the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
The Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, operated by Holt Logistics, is the largest of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s cargo facilities.  Equipped to handle both dry and refrigerated container cargo, the facility sits on 106 acres and has six vessel berths immediately below the Walt Whitman Bridge in South Philadelphia. The facility has on-site FDA, USDA and U.S. Customs services.

About Holt Logistics Corp.
Holt Logistics Corp. is a technology, marketing and corporate service organization. Holt Logistics Corp. provides transportation and logistics management solutions in dynamic segments of the transportation industry such as truck and rail transportation, marine terminal services, warehousing and logistics management. The philosophy of Holt Logistics Corp. and its client companies is to provide the safest, highest quality, and competitively priced cargo movement solutions for targeted market niches.

One of my favorite breakfasts on a lazy Sunday morning is making French toast.  This dish was originally created as a way to use old bread before having to throw it away.  Most high-end restaurants defer to brioche or challah bread, but really any dense bread will work.  I tend to use Italian bread or left over French baguette for my French toast.  You can go as simple or as complex as you like, but the main ingredients will always be beaten eggs, sugar and milk. You can always add preferred ingredients to give this dish your own signature flair.  Orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla are some of my favorite additions.

Older bread works best since it will absorb more of the batter without falling apart.  A griddle pan or wide sauté pan works best, so there is plenty of room to both lay down the battered bread and so that you can flip it easily.  I prefer to use clarified or melted butter in the pan, but vegetable oil will work as well.

Once the French toast has had its crust set-in on each side, it’s time to decide what to use for toppings. This is my favorite part.  Most any kind of fruit laying around your kitchen will taste good after being sliced up, mixed with a little fresh mint, maple syrup and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.  I like to use bananas or strawberries for macerated fruit, and let them sit while I’m preparing the bread, batter and so on, so that it can develop its flavor before I spoon it over the French toast with a little powdered sugar and some warmed up maple syrup on the side.

With a breakfast like this, you can’t help but have a good day! What is your favorite style of French toast?

French Toast Royale
6 eggs, beaten lightly
2/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons powder sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Any bread of choice, sliced, such as Italian, French baguette, brioche or challah
Butter

Directions: In a large bowl, beat eggs.  Add in remaining ingredients and blend well.  Dip bread into batter and let soak till slices have absorbed egg mixture well. Melt butter in a sauté or griddle pan. Place slices in the pan, cooking two-three minutes until golden brown. Flip the bread and cook another two minutes. Serve with banana compote, a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.  Enjoy!

Banana Compote
1 banana, diced
5 leaves  mint, chiffonade or finely sliced
½ lime juiced
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Directions: In a small bowl, mix all components together and allow to sit for at least 20-30 minutes to develop flavor.

Pennoni Transportation Division Manager Jeremy Colello, Philabundance Fund Manager Evan Post, Hatch Mott MacDonald Project Engineer Stephen Maakestad, Tim Haahs Project Manager Chris Gray, Pennoni Staff Engineer Kazi M. Hassan, and City of Philadelphia Project Manager Ruben David.

 Philadelphia, PA – The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Philadelphia Section’s Younger Members Forum (ASCE YMF) presented a check to Philabundance in the amount of $1,011. The money was raised by the group through raffle ticket sales during its 17th Annual YMF Winter Social. The check was presented by a group led by Pennoni Staff Engineer and ASCE YMF President, Kazi M. Hassan, PE. The donation will provide more than 2000 meals for people in need.

“As a young civil engineer, we can help to redesign the aging infrastructure in our city, but it is also important to dedicate time and effort to help Philabundance fight poverty in our area,” said Mr. Hassan.

“Community partners like ASCE YMF help make it possible for Philabundance to provide food to 65,000 people each week across the Delaware Valley,” said Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance. “With 98 percent more people coming to us for food over the last three years, support like this is needed now more than ever before.”

This was the second year in a row that ASCE YMF was able to donate more than $1,000 to Philabundance. In addition to Philabundance, ASCE YMF was able to contribute to the Future Cities Competition, as well as Habitat for Humanity. The ASCE YMF includes college students, recent graduates, and young engineers, including registered Professional Engineers, who are 35 years of age and younger. The objectives of the group are to provide networking opportunities, to interact with schools and the general public to promote civil engineering, and to enhance career development. With the support from the local companies and engineers, the ASCE YMF hopes to continue this tradition of supporting and donating to Philabundance and other organizations that help out local communities.

Michael Klein, Philly.com

With nearly three dozen restaurants and more in development, Stephen Starr and his people brainstorm and review many ideas for bowls, platters, pitchers, glassware, flatware, vases, salt and pepper shakers and the like.

It’s part of the “tabletop environment.” Do they choose square plates, oblongs, rounds? Retro-looking salt-and-pepper shakers or more dignified ones? Decisions, decisions. And none of it is junk. Starr buys such brands as Rosenthal, Fortessa, Fiestaware, Steelite, and Homer Laughlin.

After the collection outgrew the office of Starr’s creative director, Randi Sirkin, the pieces were packed up and warehoused.

Sirkin decided to donate the entire inventory – 20 huge boxes – to Philabundance.

The collection will be for sale during the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival on Saturday, May 18 from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Philabundance will sell pieces at reasonable prices (just a few dollars each) on the 1800 block of Walnut. Also on the block are restaurant tents from all of Rittenhouse Row’s Starr restaurants, including Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Butcher and Singer, The Continental Mid-town, The Dandelion, El Rey, Il Pittore and Parc as well as the Starr Culinary Demonstration Stage.

See pieces from the collection online!

The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival and Starr Restaurants are partnering on a food drive and monetary collection for Philabundance. The public is invited to bring non-perishable items to the event. Donors will receive a $1 credit for each non-perishable item donated to be used towards a raffle ticket entering them in a drawing for three prizes including:

• The Philadelphia Package: Dinner for a Year at Starr Restaurants. Winner will choose 12 of their favorite Philadelphia restaurants and receive dinner for two at each.

• The Atlantic City Package: Dinner for Two at Buddakan AC, Lunch for Two at Continental AC, midweek stay at Caesars

• The Florida Package: Dinner for Two at Steak 954, 2-night stay at the W in Fort Lauderdale, and a $500 US Airways voucher to use toward airfare to Fort Lauderdale.

Over 500 volunteers pitched in during Volunteer Appreciation Week, helping to sort and pack thousands of pounds of food that will be distributed to thousands of families in need. Volunteer groups included helpers from Comcast, PECO, Ritz Carlton, Drexel University and more.

Thank you once again to our fantastic volunteers and inspiring hunger fighters!

The Pennington School was among volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week

Subaru was the top corporate donor at WMMR’s Preston & Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger for the second year in a row. Along with the reward of knowing the immense good they are doing in their community, the top corporation also gets a live Preston & Steve show broadcast from their office. It is a seriously fun morning for all.

This spring, Subaru took the fun even further by using their on air presence as another chance to give back. They posed a challenge to the community, where for each new like they received on facebook during the broadcast, they would donate 4 meals to Philabundance. WMMR’s listeners responded in a big way, and Subaru’s 6,750 new likes resulted in 30,000 meals for those in need across the Delaware Valley. Huge thank you to our friends at Subaru for always thinking of ways to give back!

Pictured: Preston & Steve generate Subaru’s exciting campaign on air!