Philabundance Announces New 2019 Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philabundance Announces New 2019 Board of Directors

 

Philadelphia, Pa – February 15, 2019– Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, is pleased to announce its 2019 Board of Directors, which includes the addition of three new members: Anika Hawkins of 6abc; Elizabeth Ireland of Grant Thornton LLP; and John Ruane of GIANT Food Stores.

 

This new group will be joined by two former board members: Bassam Awadalla of Bank of America will return after previously serving as a board member for nine years; and Martin Phillips of Opsidio LLC will once again join the board, having served between 2008- 2016.

 

“I am thrilled to announce these new and returning hunger heroes,” said Executive Director of Philabundance Glenn Bergman. “With experience in a variety of industries that include medicine, finance, food, and news media, their expertise will advance our mission of driving hunger from our communities today and ending hunger for good.”

 

New Board Members:

Anika ‘Niki’ Hawkins is the Director of Community Affairs for the Philadelphia ABC Affiliate – 6abc, WPVI-TV. Having spent 14 years as a writer/producer, Hawkins was promoted to head of Community Affairs in 2014. A resident of Philadelphia, Hawkins is a Spelman College alumnus, receiving a degree in Drama and Theater. She currently serves on the leadership council, nominating committee & Vice-Chair of the Gala Committee for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Philadelphia and the PR committee for the Anti-Defamation League of Southeastern PA.

 

Elizabeth Ireland is a partner in Audit Services, Non-profit, and Higher Education at Grant-Thornton LLP, a leading accounting network. Prior to her 11 years at Grant Thornton, Ireland was in the Financial Reporting Department of the Comptroller’s Office at the University of Pennsylvania. Ireland, a resident of Mount Airy, received her B.S. in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University and her M.A. in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

John Ruane is the Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Giant Food Stores. Prior to his role with Giant, Ruane rose through the ranks at Pathmark, culminating with the role of Senior Vice President of Merchandising in 1999. He joined Ahold’s Stop & Shop in New York in 2011, becoming the Senior Vice President of Ahold Fresh. A resident of Carlisle, PA, Ruane received his degree in Business Administration and Management from Rutgers University. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Food Marketing Institute and is a past board member of the NJ Food Bank.

 

The full slate of directors includes: Sam Baker of Allen & Company, LLC; Pam Carter, PhD of the Community College of Philadelphia; Alan E. Casnoff of P&A Associates; Robert ‘BJ’ Clark of Ballard Spahr, LLP; Noel Eisenstat of Reinvestment Fund; John Hollway of the Quattrone Center at the University of Pennsylvania; Dixieanne James of Einstein Healthcare Network; Robert Kane of Key Bank; Marissa Meyers of the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice; Karyn Polak of PNC Financial Services Group; Milton Pratt, Jr. of the Michaels Development Company; Pamela Rainey Lawler, founder of Philabundance; Andrew Sandifer of FMC Corporation; and Nora Swimm of PJM Interconnection.

 

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About Philabundance
Philabundance is the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, seeking to drive hunger from our communities today and end hunger forever. In 2018, it distributed more than 26 million pounds through a network of 350 member agencies, and partnerships with hospitals, schools, libraries and other service providers. Philabundance serves more than 90,000 people each week, 30 percent of whom are children, 16 percent of whom are seniors, and others served include college students, single parents and the working class. Give now or learn more at Philabundance.org.
Philabundance Awards 49 Member Agencies with Capacity Grants

Philabundance Awards 49 Member Agencies with Capacity Grants

Philabundance has announced $250,000 in 2025–2027 Capacity Grants for 49 member agencies across Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. This funding will provide the operational capital needed to allow organizations to remain flexible and able to adapt to changing needs.

From faith-based institutions in Delaware County to social service agencies meeting the needs of diverse families across Philadelphia County, the 2025–2027 Philabundance Capacity grantees are among the hundreds of organizations that partner with Philabundance to support the more than 600,000 individuals in our region experiencing food insecurity.

The grantees include

  • Bucks County: Bucks County Opportunity Council; Faith Baptist Church
  • Delaware County: Blessed Virgin Mary; Loaves & Fishes; Prayer Chapel Church of God in Christ
  • Mercer County: Prince of Peace Center
  • Montgomery County: Bethel Community Church; ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narberth; Grace Lutheran Norristown; Love Works Resource Center; Mitzvah Circle; Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard; Patrician Society
  • Philadelphia County: African Family Health Organization; Alexander McClure Elementary School; Bebashi; Bethany Missionary Baptist Church; Breaking Bread on Broad; Bright Hope Baptist Church; Broad Street Love; Brothers of Strawberry Mansion; Calvary Agape Outreach Services; Casa Del Carmen; Cast Your Cares; Christ Apostolic WOSEM; Community Center at Visitation; Episcopal Community Services; The Family Practice & Counseling Network; First Church Worship Center; Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry; Grace Community Christian Center; Kensington Health Sciences Academy; Lutheran Settlement House; Mighty Writers; Mi Salud Wellness; Nationalities Services Center; North Light Community Center; Old Pine Community Center; Open Door Ministries; Our Brothers Place; Paul L Dunbar School; Project H.O.M.E.; Southwest Family Service Center; St. Paul Outreach; Word In Action International Ministries
  • York County: Bethlehem Baptist Church; Mattie Dixon Community Center
  • Southern New Jersey: Puerto Rican Unity for Progress; SisterHood Inc.

Philabundance Capacity Grants help improve each organization’s ability to operate more efficiently and deliver effective food distribution programs and services. To date, $4.4 million dollars in Philabundance Capacity Grants have been allocated for capacity-building infrastructure, such as refrigerators, freezers, refrigerated vans and technology to empower community partners and improve the food distribution network.

“As federal resources continue to shrink and hunger remains a distressing reality in the Greater Philadelphia region, community-based nonprofits are often a lifeline for families in need of healthy food,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance. “Investing directly in our partners and their infrastructure allows us to swiftly and efficiently meet the needs of thousands of our friends and neighbors experiencing food insecurity.”

“Breaking Bread on Broad is [very] grateful for the new refrigerators we will be able to purchase with our Philabundance grant,” said Dan Seltzer, co-leader of Breaking Bread on Broad (BBoB). “Breaking Bread on Broad is the food pantry of Congregation Rodeph Shalom whose mission is to provide our neighbors in need with food, diapers and period supplies each week. With this grant, we will be able to provide our BBoB neighbors with more fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein to better feed their families.”

“​​With this funding, Casa Del Carmen will invest in critical hardware—such as commercial refrigeration, durable shelving, metal prep-table and mini hand pallet jack—that will enhance the efficiency and reliability of our food pantry operations,” said Janet DeJesus, office manager at Casa Del Carmen. “These improvements will allow us to store more fresh and nutritious food, reduce waste, and serve our neighbors more quickly and with greater dignity. By strengthening our infrastructure, we are not only improving daily logistics but also deepening our commitment to food security and community well-being.”

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