It stretched down the street, and in twenty minutes all bags had been claimed. While this took place in one neighborhood of Philadelphia, it reflects a critical citywide issue.
1 in 5 residents suffer from food insecurity. In other words, 300,000 people in our city lack access to the food they need to support a healthy, productive life. That’s the tired single mother who sacrifices meals every other day, so her daughter can eat. The 2nd grader with an empty stomach who can’t focus in class, and has to repeat a year. The family of four unable to afford fresh produce, or the medical expenses resulting from chronic malnourishment.
When COVID-19 first swept through the country, food insecurity statistics got worse. The combination of job loss and inflation caused even more economic stress on many hungry families, a state which continues today. In response, Turning Points’ FAWN is working harder than ever to provide nutritious food, food education, and other essentials. No person can tackle the daily challenges of life always worried about the next meal. So we will continue working to create brighter futures for all.
Are you hungry? Check out our upcoming Pop-Up Pantries here.
If you can’t make it to a FAWN location, there are also food cupboards in most neighborhoods.
