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At the first Thanksgiving dinner in 1621, pilgrims feasted off the fat of the land. Nearly 400 years later, though, the land of plenty is anything but for many Americans.
An estimated 500,000 people suffer from hunger each year in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to USDA and census figures. And when you talk about the "food insecure," that number increases, said John Weidman, communications director for Philabundance.
"Food insecure refers to people who aren’t going hungry but remain dependent on donated food sources. In the Delaware Valley, the food insecure number 400,000," noted Weidman.
The scourge of an empty stomach is especially cruel on Thanksgiving — a holiday that revolves around food.
Once again this year, Philabundance is trying to fill that void by donating hundreds of turkeys to community organizations that feed the needy.
Thanks to the generosity of area businesses and private donors, those who might not have enjoyed a turkey dinner will be able to do so.
This year, Philabundance received its highest number of requests ever for turkeys. The original goal for the drive was 500 turkeys, but a deluge of requests upped the number to a whopping 700, noted Weidman.
To meet the demand, Philabundance had to conduct its first-ever turkey drive, he added.
Weidman chalked up the unprecedented demand to one thing: the ailing economy.
"The economy really hit people hard," he noted. Additionally, turkey donations from the food-service industry have not been readily available. For one thing, turkeys are expensive, and not a "surplus" food, unlike produce, which accounts for 65 percent of Philabundance’s donations, said Weidman.
So this year, Philabundance urged not only restaurants and grocers but also regular citizens to ease the poultry predicament.
Since the drive started on Nov. 20, frozen and fresh birds flew in to Philabundance headquarters in South Philly. Donations came from as far away as Bucks and Montgomery counties and New Jersey.
"It’s been amazing, beyond our wildest dreams. People really feel strongly that they want to give people in need in our community a nice Thanksgiving. I think it really says a lot for this region’s sense of community," Weidman said.
Commerce Bank at 2653 S. Fifth St. was one of the largest donors of birds.
"At its core, Commerce Bank is a community bank. You don’t get any more community than feeding families in your neighborhood," said Fred D. Musilli, assistant vice president/senior branch manager.
After Musilli learned of Philabundance’s need for birds, he called a contact at Quaker Valley Meats on Pattison Avenue. Commerce Bank cut Quaker a check to pay for 125 turkeys, said Musilli.
The bank manager added that Commerce pledged $10,000 to the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, of which Philabundance will receive a share. In the coming weeks, Musilli said, the bank hopes to add to that donation.
As of Monday, the single biggest donor of turkeys was the Lansdale branch of Lincoln National Mortgage, Weidman said.
Branch owner Jim Coyle said his children were the motivating factor behind his act of kindness.
He was watching the Sunday news with them when he learned of Philabundance’s need. The North Wales resident sprung into action and called a friend in the food-service industry, asking him how many turkeys he could deliver on short notice. The answer was 200.
Coyle deemed his good deed important enough to take his 6-year-old son out of school for the day so the youngster could accompany him on the turkey delivery to South Philly.
"I said, ‘Listen, this is something you have to do for the needy. You have to give back.’ I’m just trying to teach my kids a little lesson," said Coyle, who plans to donate another 200 turkeys to Philabundance for Christmas.
Founded in 1984, Philabundance works to wipe out hunger and malnutrition in the Greater Philadelphia region. The nonprofit organization retrieves surplus food and distributes it to local organizations. Philabundance does not deliver to individuals. Emergency kitchens, shelters and cupboards number among Philabundance’s distribution centers. Weidman explained that a cupboard is usually run out of a church, social-service agency or community group. Each agency sets its own standards for who is eligible to receive food.
Philabundance provides food for more than 38,000 meals each day at a cost of about 18 cents per meal, noted the director. Seven Philabundance trucks deliver food six days a week.
Last year, Philabundance retrieved more than 12 million pounds of food for distribution. It is the largest food-rescue organization in the country.
Hunger takes no holidays, and with Christmas right around the corner, the demand for food will only increase. Weidman said anyone interested in donating turkeys or other goods should bring them to the Philabundance office at 3626 Galloway St. beginning Monday. A receipt must accompany all frozen turkeys to ensure freshness, noted the director. Supermarket vouchers for turkeys also can be donated.
"The best thing for us this time of year is getting the word out that people are hungry," said Weidman.
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For more information, call 215-339-0900 or visit www.philabundance.org.
