Food resources assist older adults facing hunger
By Jay Nachman
In Philadelphia, more than 242,000 people are food insecure, according to Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the U.S. In fact, many of our neighbors go to bed hungry reports the city’s Office of Homeless Services.
Thankfully, a multitude of local hunger-relief organizations are working to combat food insecurity. Philadelphia’s 700 food pantries and soup kitchens feed over 480,000 people each year. If you or someone you know needs help keeping food on the table, here are some resources that can assist.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Formerly known as “Food Stamps,” this program helps low-income households have access to healthy foods through grocery stores around the state. Currently, there are more than 350,000 older adults in Pennsylvania utilizing the program. To learn more about SNAP, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.
Philabundance
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides USDA-donated food to older adults with low incomes by providing monthly “Senior Food Boxes.” Philabundance packs and distributes 4,500 boxes to strategically chosen locations throughout the Delaware Valley, ensuring that older adults have access to shelf-stable foods to last them throughout the month. Each box contains approximately 30 pounds of canned and boxed food, including vegetables, fruit, juice, pasta, milk, cereal, canned meat, and non-meat protein. A nutritional newsletter containing recipes and information is included in each box. You can call 1-800-468-2433 to apply.
Philabundance features a “Find Food” directory of 350 social service agencies that distribute free food to all corners of the city. For information, call 215-339-0900 or go to philabundance.org.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
PCA provides healthy, delicious pre-made meals to older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities through its grab-and-go, and home-delivered meals programs. For more information, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.
Senior centers
For those interested in the fellowship that congregate meals provide, PCA helps support 28 senior community centers and satellite meal sites across the city that provide meals for community residents. For more information, Click Here>> You can also call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 to identify your local senior center offering congregate meals and so much more.
MANNA
Nutrition is vital to improve health, especially for people who need nourishment to heal from a serious illness. MANNA cooks and delivers nutritious meals to residents in the Greater Philadelphia area. MANNA’s meal program is a temporary service. The qualifications for service and the amount of time that each client receives MANNA meals is based on individual needs and determined by MANNA’s Nutrition and Client Services Department. For information or to apply, go to mannapa.org or call 215-496-2662.
City of Philadelphia
Food distribution sites provide supplemental food for Philadelphia individuals and families. All city residents are eligible. No ID or proof of income is required. For locations and other information, go to phila.gov/food. The website features a directory of food sites, general meal sites, older adult meal sites and student meal sites. You can also call 311 (within Philadelphia) or the WhyHunger Hotline at 1-800-5HUNGRY. Text your ZIP code to 1-800-548-6479 to receive a list of nearby food pantries. To locate food and other resources in your area, you can also go to CommunityResourceConnects.org.
Select local food pantries
- Homework Internet Communication for Urban People: 6132 Vine St. | 267-974-3672
- Holy Temple Community Center: 363 N 60th St. | 215-476-4999
- Holsey Temple CME Church: 5305 Germantown Ave. | 215-848-2210
- Herbert Arlene Food Pantry: 1513 N Bouvier St. | 215-239-4920
- Redeemer Health Food Pantry of PA: 12265 Townsend Rd. | 215-856-1370
- For additional food resources, access the City of Philadelphia’s Food and Meal Finder at 311 or phila.gov/food.
Farmers markets
At the peak of the growing season, The Food Trust operates a large network of farmers markets in Philadelphia that makes fresh produce more affordable. (A small number of locations are open year-round.) These markets accept SNAP (formerly food stamps) and EBT cards, Food Bucks (fruit and vegetable coupons), and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. For information, go to TheFoodTrust.org/farmers-markets or call 215-575-0444.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
