The COVID-19 pandemic has touched each of our lives. Some of us have lost jobs; others are being asked to be both parent and teacher as students continue to learn from home. And some of us don’t know where our next meal is coming from.
Despite these challenges and roadblocks, you have become our heroes. You have risen up to support your neighbor by donating your time, funds and food in a way that Philabundance has never experienced before. You have strengthened the Philabundance family and the communities in the Philadelphia region.
For this, we are truly thankful. Together, #WeArePhilabundance.
Read the latest stories from Philabundance during the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring interviews with staff, volunteers, agency representatives and clients.
“COVID changed the whole delivery process. In the past, I’ve built relationships with the agencies because I’d see them two or three times a week. But now we have to stay six feet apart, air hug and try to smile through a mask. Your greetings – everything is a little different, but we still build a rapport with the agencies. They know it’s all love at the end of the day because we’re still providing for the community.”
“At the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, we at Feast of Justice went from 285 households a week to 1500. We serve about 825 households a week now, and it’s been settled there for the past few months. But it’s possible that will go back up again as more businesses close this winter.”
“There are fewer volunteers these days [due to social distancing and safety measures], but we’re still getting tons of work done. Everyone is just so giving. No need for anything in return. They just want to show-up, work and put good out there.”
“I was getting into my car to leave, a woman drove up in an SUV. She seemed panicked and asked, ‘Is it over?’ I told her the distribution had ended early because the food was gone but that there were other distributions the city she could attend. She just started to cry. I could see the tears just falling down her face as she tried to keep it together. I looked in her backseat and saw at least two kids in the car. Then I heard the woman say under her breath, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do.’”
