This donation, one part of The Knights of Columbus’ “Leave No Neighbor Behind” initiative, aims to assist food pantries throughout the United States to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts.
Individuals and families across the Philadelphia region who are in need of healthy and nutritious sustenance in the face of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are receiving a boost thanks to a $50,000 donation from The Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, facilitated through Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS).
The donated funds will benefit five pantries supported by NDS’ Community Food Program and will be used to purchase food for those in critical need of support. In addition, $10,000 will be allocated to support the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees which is responding to the immediate food needs of immigrants, refugees, migrants, and other Catholics of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Ms. Lizanne Hagedorn, Executive Director of NDS said, “The Knights of Columbus have always put their faith into action by supporting parishes, communities, and those in need with care, compassion and charity. This donation comes at a much needed time when many of our food pantries across the region are experiencing a 100% increase in clients and serving those who typically do not face hunger. We are thankful for their support and the opportunity to work together to effectively serve our brothers and sisters facing a food emergency brought on by COVID-19.”
The food pantries receiving support include Saint Katharine Drexel Outreach Center (Chester); B.V.M. Parish Food Cupboard (Darby); The Community Center at Visitation (Kensington); Our Lady of Hope Food Cupboard (North Philadelphia); and Saint Joan of Arc Food Pantry (North Philadelphia).
For more information on NDS temporal response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a listing of NDS sponsored food cupboards and nearly 88 emergency feeding sites for children and youth across the Philadelphia region, please visit https://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/covid19/.
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Editor’s Note: For 47 years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. For more information about Nutritional Development Services (NDS), please visit https://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/. NDS is an equal opportunity service provider.