Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger Food Drive
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) is partnering with the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN) March 1 - 31, 2023 for the first-ever Freedom from Hunger Spring Drive.
The fundraiser – once again held exclusively online – will run throughout the month to continue to build awareness around the increased need in Montgomery County due to the continued impact of inflation, and to assist with less available financial aid.
MAHN provides resources to almost 60 food pantries and soup kitchens, and all are struggling with less to feed more people - 70% of the network MAHN serves continues to see a sustained increase in need. For example, Ardmore Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on the Main Line went from serving 85 households a week in July 2022 to 120 households currently.
In 2022, MAHN experienced:
- 85% increase in transportation costs
- 12% increase in food costs
- and 5% decrease in individual donations
Still, the organization was able to distribute 417,000 pounds in donated food, 44% rescued (87,063 meat, 78,642 dairy, and 52,144 produce), for more than 184,000 meals/household visits.
Money from Freedom from Hunger will also go to purchasing much-needed personal care items such as: toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, diapers, underwear, t-shirts, etc. Some pantries are also in need of halal/kosher meat.
MAKE A MONETARY DONATION
In place of a physical donation, monetary contributions are accepted and appreciated. Monetary donations are handled by the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN). MAHN will use the funds to purchase food to feed Montgomery County residents in need.
Food Resources
If you, or someone you know, is in need of assistance, we encourage you to view the list of food pantries and soup kitchen in the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network.
@visitvalleyforge Together, we've collected more than 75,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry in Montgomery County. We're committing to 100,000 lifetime, to support those less fortunate in our community. #fooddrive #hunger #donate #food #montco #pennsylvania #makeitmontco ♬ original sound - visitvalleyforge
About Freedom from Hunger
The Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger Food Drive was created as a farewell "gift" to Pope Francis in 2015 when the Pontiff stayed in Montgomery County at the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Now in its eighth year, the drive continues to support the community that the tourism board diligently promotes to visitors across the nation and around the world.
