FROM THE GREATER BERKS FOOD BANK - Helping Harvest · Liever, Hyman, & Potter, P.C. Mary Kay...
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A new home in 2014 Inside: FALL 2013 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 3 From the Executive Director 2 Scouting for Food 2 Agency Feature 3 Thank You . . . 3 CROP Walk 3 Ways to Help 4 FROM THE GREATER BERKS FOOD BANK “1983 to 2013 is a long time for a business to exist, especially one that began with the intent to close its doors within a few years. The GBFB founders wanted to believe that hunger would end.” The above words are from the address our Executive Director, Peg Bianca, delivered to a crowd of more than 200 supporters at our annual World Food Day Breakfast, held on October 18, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. As we know, hunger has not ended. In fact, the number of our neighbors who live in poverty, and struggle with hunger, has tripled since our founding to a staggering total of 71,500 people in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. An amazing 80 million pounds of food, with a value of $132 million, has been distributed to feed the hungry by the GBFB since 1983. Despite the distressing stats, the Breakfast gave Peg the opportunity to thank all of the people who have helped us grow into the dynamic organization we are today. Because of our supporters, we have been able to not only satisfy needs, but expand and develop new programs through the years to best meet hunger where it lives - programs such as our Kids Cafes and Weekender Backpack Program. Thank you to all who attended our Breakfast. We look forward to seeing you at our 31st annual Breakfast next fall, when we can hopefully talk about the wonderful new facility you will help us call home. For more than a year, we have been telling you about our need for a significantly larger facility. To best serve the community for years to come, we must have more warehouse space to store donated fresh, frozen and non-perishable products. We also require more office space for the staff we need to oversee our programs and operations. After an extensive search to find a building which best matches our specific needs, we are thrilled to say we have signed an agreement to purchase a property. While we have agreed with the seller on financial terms, we cannot share the location with you until the property clears all inspections. We are hopeful we can share our new home’s address with you by the New Year. What we can tell you is that this building will be an absolute blessing to the work of our mission. The warehouse has 42,000 square feet of space – compared to the 18,000 square feet in our current facility. Because of this additional space, we plan on at least doubling our freezer and refrigerator space. We will also be adding fresh storage space which will allow us to optimally store fruits and vegetables. There are also three truck docks and two large overhead garage doors (compared to the two and one we currently have) which will allow us to more efficiently unload donations and serve member agencies picking up food for their programs. This building also offers more than 5,000 square feet of office space, compared to the 2,000 we now have. This larger space will allow us to grow our staff as needed; welcome the volunteer groups that help us on a daily basis; and host training sessions and meetings. This move would not be possible without the past gifts you have granted us. In the new year, we will once again look to you and our other friends for continued support as we move ahead with a capital campaign for the new building. We sincerely hope you will plan to invest in our future with a gift to the campaign. We look forward to sharing more specific details with you in the very near future! World Food Day Breakfast 30 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y Giant Food Stores presented a $9,000 check at the event in celebration of their 90th anniversary. All donations received for the Breakfast will directly support the GBFB’s efforts to feed the hungry as all costs of the Breakfast were generously underwritten by the sponsors. Gold Sponsor Mrs. Rosalind Hyman Silver Sponsors
Transcript of FROM THE GREATER BERKS FOOD BANK - Helping Harvest · Liever, Hyman, & Potter, P.C. Mary Kay...
A new home in 2014Inside:
FALL 2013VOLUME 23 ISSUE 3
From the Executive Director 2
Scouting for Food 2
Agency Feature
3
Thank You . . . 3
CROP Walk 3
Ways to Help 4
FROM THE GREATER BERKS FOOD BANK
“1983 to 2013 is a long time for a business to exist, especially one that began with the intent to close its doors within a few years. The GBFB founders wanted to believe that hunger would end.”
The above words are from the address our Executive Director, Peg Bianca, delivered to a crowd of more than 200 supporters at our annual World Food Day Breakfast, held on October 18, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
As we know, hunger has not ended. In fact, the number of our neighbors who live in poverty, and struggle with hunger, has tripled since our founding to a staggering total of 71,500 people in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. An amazing 80 million
pounds of food, with a value of $132 million, has been distributed to feed the hungry by the GBFB since 1983.
Despite the distressing stats, the Breakfast gave Peg the opportunity to thank all of the people who have helped us grow into the dynamic organization we are today. Because of our supporters, we have been able to not only satisfy needs, but expand and develop new programs through the years to best meet hunger where it lives - programs such as our Kids Cafes and Weekender Backpack Program.
Thank you to all who attended our Breakfast. We look forward to seeing you at our 31st annual Breakfast next fall, when we can hopefully talk about the wonderful new facility you will help us call home.
For more than a year, we have been telling you about our need for a significantly larger facility. To best serve the community for years to come, we must have more warehouse space to store donated fresh, frozen and non-perishable products. We also require more office space for the staff we need to oversee our programs and operations.
After an extensive search to find a building which best matches our specific needs, we are thrilled to say we have signed an agreement to purchase a property. While we have agreed with the seller on financial terms, we cannot share the location with you until the property clears all inspections. We are hopeful we can share our new home’s address with you by the New Year.
What we can tell you is that this building will be an absolute blessing to the work of our mission. The warehouse has 42,000 square feet of space – compared to the 18,000 square feet in our current facility. Because of this additional space, we plan on at least doubling our freezer and refrigerator space. We will also be adding fresh storage space which will allow us to optimally store fruits and vegetables. There are also three truck docks and two large overhead garage doors (compared to the two and one we currently have) which will allow us to more efficiently unload donations and serve member agencies picking up food for their programs. This building also offers more than 5,000 square feet of office space, compared to the 2,000 we now have. This larger space will allow us to grow our staff as needed; welcome the volunteer groups that help us on a daily basis; and host training sessions and meetings.
This move would not be possible without the past gifts you have granted us. In the new year, we will once again look to you and our other friends for continued support as we move ahead with a capital campaign for the new building. We sincerely hope you will plan to invest in our future with a gift to the campaign.
We look forward to sharing more specific details with you in the very near future!
World Food Day Breakfast
30 th ANNIVERSARY
Giant Food Stores presented a $9,000 check at the event in celebration of their 90th anniversary.
All donations received for the Breakfast will directly support the GBFB’s efforts to feed
the hungry as all costs of the Breakfast were
generously underwritten by the sponsors.
Gold Sponsor
Mrs. Rosalind Hyman
Silver Sponsors
Tis the season to spend time with family and friends. To make the time to be together. To wrap gifts and unwrap those received. To indulge in great foods. To be thankful for what we do have and not to worry so much about what we don’t have. It’s also the season to be compassionate to others that don’t have the “things” we just take for granted. As we enjoy and indulge in the great tasting foods this time of the year, we are
reminded that for some, something so simple yet so vital as food isn’t always available for them.
The fact is that 71,500 people are living in poverty inside of Berks and Schuylkill Counties. That’s a lot of people with empty plates. And they are hungry all year round.
I know you won’t forget them when the holidays are over. Your gifts have already started flowing in to help us acquire a new headquarters. Many people are sharing their time, talents, and resources with us so we can acquire a building twice the size to feed the hungry. Soon we will be launching a $3 million capital campaign to purchase and retrofit this larger warehouse. This will be challenging. But there is no comparison to the challenges of not knowing where or when you will eat your next meal.
My best to everyone for good health in the New Year, another “thing” we often take for granted. And my sincere appreciation to everyone for the gifts that you have given to the Greater Berks Food Bank that we have already unwrapped. And those still yet wrapped or soon to be. Blessings and peace.
a member of
From the Executive Director
For the past 27 years, the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America has been helping feed our less fortunate neighbors through their annual Scouting for Food campaign.
This year’s food drive, held on November 9, collected more than 53,000 pounds of food. This was almost a 9,000 pound increase from the previous year. Thank you to all of you who contributed food and made this year’s food drive another success!
Scouts collected food from households across Berks County and packed it at 12 remote sites before it was transported to the GBFB warehouse.
Special thanks go to Associated Wholesalers, Inc. (AWI) and Birdsboro Beverage Co. for providing trucks and staff for transporting food from some of the sites to the GBFB. AWI also donated nearly 3,000 lbs of food. Additional thanks go to Beacon
Container Corp. for donating the 3,000 cardboard boxes in which the food was packed.
A huge heartfelt thank you goes out to the Boy Scouts for their dedication to the success of this annual event. The food they collect helps feed many of our neighbors in need every winter!
Scouting for Food
Board of DirectorsRobert Barto, President Roland StockEric White, Vice President Redner’s Warehouse MarketsEd Williams, Treasurer Discovery Federal Credit UnionIsabelle Moon, Secretary Penske Truck Leasing
John Badal Liever, Hyman, & Potter, P.C.Mary Kay Bernosky Berks Women in CrisisTherese Bogia Bogia Engineering, Inc.Judy DeTemple M & T BankGwen Didden Family Promise of Berks CountyLori Endy Met Ed/First EnergyAnn Howe Gage Personnel ServicesBr. Raymond Knapp Franciscans of Reconciliation (OFR)Jay Mahoney Gallen InsurancePeter Molinaro, Jr. Adhezion BiomedicalRick Ott Vanity Fair Corp.Bob Rippley Associated Wholesalers, Inc.
StaffPeg Bianca, Executive Director
Tim Becker, Operations ManagerDave Bradbury, Warehouse/TransportationPhil Ciofalo, Warehouse/TransportationWayne Cockrell, Project ManagerEd Cox, Warehouse Supervisor Francis Delauretis, Warehouse/TransportationDeb Gehris, Finance ManagerDoug Long, Marketing & Development ManagerLori Lowery, Agency & Volunteer Services CoordinatorTom Marsh, Warehouse/TransportationDeb Mest, Agency & Volunteer Services ManagerDuane Miller, Warehouse/TransportationAlford Pouse, Warehouse/TransportationAshley Snyder, Agency & Volunteer Services CoordinatorJane Vitalo, Customer Service RepresentativeZach Witman, Warehouse/Transportation
If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor.Editor: Doug LongE-mail: [email protected]
A copy of the official registration and financial information of the Greater Berks Food Bank may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State
by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Scouts unload the boxed food at the GBFB
Happy Holidays from the Greater Berk Food Bank!
Agency Feature - Reading DOVE Christian Ministry Center
Three years ago, Reading DOVE Christian Ministry Center moved into their first permanent house of worship, in Reading’s Centre Park Historic District. A desire to be a caring neighbor, and to help meet needs in the city, led the congregation to work with the Greater Berks Food Bank to open their “Feed My Sheep Food Pantry” this spring. Each month since, about 35 neighborhood families have been served nourishment and compassion by the team of volunteers at the pantry.
Helping feed those in need has been a part of the church’s mission for several years. Soon after moving into their new home, the congregation began their “Compassion Ministry” – delivering bagged lunches to the homeless. The church also gives out coats, blankets, hats and scarves during the colder months. The program started small, feeding between 8 and 10 homeless people a week, and grew modestly. The food was purchased from retail stores with donations from
church members, family and friends. Volunteers would pack the lunches Friday evening and deliver them around 5 a.m. Saturday morning – a time when they could be sure to find the homeless before they left the benches, parks, alleyways and “camps” where they slept.
“Compassion Ministry” coordinator, Tara Deihm, credits the ministry’s recent partnership with the Greater Berks Food Bank as allowing the program to expand and feed a lot more people because of the food they receive from our warehouse. Volunteers are now delivering up to 85 bagged lunches every Saturday.
We are only able to supply new partners like Reading DOVE because of the food and financial donations you provide us. We are so grateful you have given us the opportunity to
support the amazing work being carried out by Reading DOVE.
We thank the following businesses, organizations and places of worship that recently hosted food and fund drives*:
ADECCO StaffingA.F.T. Local 3173, RACCAkzo Nobel PaintsAlbright CollegeAlsace Lutheran ChurchBarrer & White OrthodontistsBausman Memorial U.C.C.Berks Career & Tech. Center - EastBerks Catholic High SchoolBlind Hartmans TavernC.E. Cole Intermediate SchoolCambridge-Lee IndustriesChrist Church U.C.C.Christ Episcopal ChurchCross Keys InsuranceDaniel Boone Middle SchoolEncompass Insurance Co.EnersysGirl Scouts of Berks CountyGreater Reading Young Professionals
I-LEAD Charter SchoolInsurance Professionals of Greater ReadingKeys of LifeMifflin Area YMCAMuhlenberg Community LibraryNeighbors of Laurel Hill, Spring RidgeNew Apostolic ChurchNortheast Middle School, ReadingOne United Church of ChristPeace Lutheran ChurchPretzel City Rod & CustomReading Eagle CompanyReading Health System – RadiologyReading LiederkranzReading Lodge #549, F. & A.M.Reading RoyalsReform Congregation Oheb SholomRER Energy GroupSavage Route 61 DodgeSealed Air – Cryovac
Senior BernersSt. Alban’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Andrew’s U.C.C.St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterTravelers Insurance Co.Tutor Time, WyomissingVFW Ladies’ Auxiliary Post 6150Village of Maidencreek Condo Assoc.Viva Good Life Bistro & LoungeWeight Watchers, WyomissingWest Berks Mission DistrictWest Wyomissing Fire CompanyWillow Creek Elementary PTAWilson Child Care – Berkshire HeightsWyomissing ATA Martial ArtsWyomissing U.C.C.Zion Spies E.R. Church
* Food drives of at least 100 lbs. and fund drives of at least $100 from 7/13/13 to 11/27/13
The 32nd annual Reading CROP Walk, coordinated by the Reading Berks Conference of Churches and CROP committee members, took place on Sunday, October 13. For the first time in many years, the Walk began from the Greater Berks Food Bank’s warehouse and wove through Muhlenberg Township streets and park lands.
On a beautiful fall afternoon, more than 300 walkers, from about 40 area places of worship, walked to raise funds to fight hunger at home and abroad. Close to $25,000 was raised with twenty-five percent of the proceeds going to the GBFB and the remainder going to international hunger relief efforts led by Church World Services. The Walk has raised close to $925,000 during its 32 years of existence.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Robesonia, won the “Golden Shoe Award” for having the most walkers participating. Members of the church’s youth group were excited to pose (photo) with their award!
Thank you to all who walked and made this a successful event!
CROP Walk
Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDReading, PAPermit No.14
Greater Berks Food Bank
1011 Tuckerton CourtReading, PA 19605
Phone: (610) 926-5802
Fax: (610) 926-7638
Email: [email protected]
www.berksfoodbank.org
About Our Organization . . . The Greater Berks Food Bank, established in 1983, collects, purchases, stores, and distributes over seven million pounds of food annually to the more than 300 programs which feed the hungry in Berks, Schuylkill, and western Montgomery Counties.
The Greater Berks Food Bank1011 Tuckerton CourtReading, PA 19605
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Ways you can help...
Download & Donate! Text “DDTHANKS” to 80565 to download the Dunkin’ Mobile App (a free app) & Dunkin’ Donuts Philly will donate $1 to the five food banks that service their region – including the Greater Berks Food Bank. This campaign runs through December 31!
Through December 31, like, comment on or share any of Susquehanna Bank’s daily “Stellar Deeds” on their Facebook page – facebook.com/SusquehannaBank – and Susquehanna Bank will donate the monetary equivalent of 5 meals to the food banks that serve their region – including the GBFB. Open a checking account at Susquehanna and they will donate 25 meals!
30 th ANNIVERSARY
A generous local couple is donating $1 for every $4 donated by new donors throughout 2013. They will donate up to $25,000 to the GBFB. If you have never donated, please consider doing so today. If you are a loyal supporter, please encourage your friends and family to help us meet the match!
There is still time to help us meet the match!
