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Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard

For more than three years, the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard located in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood has provided emergency food assistance to those in need. Each week, the cupboard directly impacts approximately 40 clients, who receive a variety of fresh and non-perishable foods including canned tuna, salmon, lean meats, fresh produce, whole grain pasta and rice, and low-sodium canned goods. Sister Anna Marie, a Religious Sister of Mercy and Registered Nurse, manages the cupboard located in the basement of the Saint Helena’s Convent with the help of seven dedicated volunteers. In addition to managing the food bank, Sister Anna Marie visits homebound older adults through the “Friendly Visitors” Program. Sister Anna Marie said, “Originally the cupboard was located at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish. Though we relocated three years ago, we continue to serve clients from that area in addition to those who live in various zip codes including 19120, 19126, and 19111.” Each week, the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sister Anna Marie said, “We try to provide each client in need with two small meals such as pasta with meat sauce or macaroni and cheese. In addition, we offer blood pressure screening and health education.” Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard is supported by Nutritional Development Services’ Community Food Program. In addition, parishioners from several parishes including Saint Ambrose, Saint Williams, and Saint James help to keep the shelves stocked with healthy, nourishing food items. NDS is grateful to Sister Anna Marie and Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard’s volunteers for their dedication to fighting hunger. To make a donation to the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard, please email Sister Anna Marie, amlrsm@hotmail.com.     

Students at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School Help Enrich the Lives of Children from the Summer Meals Program

Nutritional Development Services received a generous donation for its Summer Meals Program from students at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School.

Showing Appreciation for Our Partners in Wellness

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, NDS held a Staff Appreciation Lunch to show gratitude and appreciation for all those who help make the school meals program a success. This year, staff members from partnering schools were invited to get in line with students and enjoy a popular, nutritious, and delicious meal:  popcorn chicken served with fresh romaine salad, baby carrots, fresh pineapple, Keebler Elf grahams, and a carton of milk. Each year, many staff members say they look forward to this event including Ms. Vicky from Saint Veronica School in Philadelphia who said, “I’m very happy for the opportunity to have an NDS meal and experience what the children do every day.” In addition to a fun day for staff members, students enjoyed seeing their role models making healthy food choices. When teachers from St. Frances Cabrini Regional Catholic School in Philadelphia got in line with their students, the kindergarten class roared with laughter. Since 2014, NDS’ annual Staff Appreciation Lunch has served over 2,300 lunches to thank staff at our partner schools. NDS looks forward to continuing this tradition each year.

Nutritional Development Services To Participate In 21st Annual Walk Against Hunger

Nutritional Development Services (NDS) will participate in the Coalition Against Hunger’s 21st Annual Thomas’ Walk Against Hunger, Saturday April 8, 2017. This annual fundraiser benefits more than 100 food pantries, soup kitchens, and anti-hunger agencies in the region, including NDS. Together, these programs help hundreds of thousands of local families put food on their tables each day. Agencies such as NDS form teams, raise money, and participate in the walk. 80 percent of the funds raised by NDS will be used to combat hunger through the organization’s Community Food Program. The remaining 20 percent will go to the Coalition. For over forty years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food and food-related resources. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. This year’s walk will start with a lap around the field and then continues with a lap around the stadium. Participants will enjoy a free breakfast and snacks, live music and entertainment, and games and face painting for kids. To learn more about the Thomas’ Walk Against or register to walk, visit http://action.hungercoalition.org/page/s/register-to-walk-2017. To support the NDS team by making a donation visit http://action.hungercoalition.org/page/outreach/splash/walk2017-nds.

Students at Tech Freire Charter High School Put Their Best Forks Forward

In honor of National Nutrition Month, Jean Falk, Registered Dietitian for Nutritional Development Services (NDS), hosted a taste test at Tech Freire Charter High School. Tech Freire is a new high school that joined the NDS school breakfast and lunch program this school year. Their students’ feedback is especially valuable in developing an appealing, age-appropriate high school lunch menu. A dedicated group of freshman and sophomore taste testers put their “Best Forks Forward” to try two potential new meals: Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and chicken drums with potato rounds. The students particularly enjoyed the home-style appeal of the chicken drums. In the end, both meals received the taste testers’ stamp of approval! NDS partners with 98 parochial, charter, and small Christian schools to serve an average of 17,000 lunches each day across the southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Taste Tests are offered regularly throughout the school year to engage students in the menu-planning process and to offer a variety of student-selected food choices to increase meal satisfaction.  School lunch provides a student with 1/3 of their daily requirement for calories and key growth nutrients. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme, “Put Your Best Fork Forward,” reminds students eating healthy improves health now and in the future. To learn more about National Nutrition Month, please visit http://www.eatright.org/resources/national-nutrition-month.