PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Facing rising inflation and reduced government funding, Philabundance, the region’s largest food bank, says it is stretching every dollar to meet growing demand.
The nonprofit recently received a $50,000 grant from Philly Gives to help ease the burden, but leaders say more support is needed.
“To say Philabundance is a lifeline would be an understatement,” said Beverly Terrence from Grace Community Center, which relies on the food bank for 95 percent of its supplies. “If it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t do the job that we do here.”
She went on to say they saw an influx of people when the fate of SNAP benefits was up in the air.
Although a judge ordered SNAP benefits restored, food insecurity remains high. From inflation to reductions in federal resources, families are turning more to food pantries stocked by Philabundance.
“They come in and they’re very anxious,” Terrence said. “And I say, listen, I know what we’re all going through. We turn nobody away. If you show up and say you need food, we give it to you.”