Over the years, the Fresh for All program has seen a rapid growth in the number of recipients, with the amount of food distributed nearly doubling from 2019 to 2023.
The growing need comes amid a 50% decline in food pantry donations and a 36% reduction in the amount of poundage from Philabundance.
In response to the growing need for nutritious food in Montgomery and Bucks counties, the Keystone Opportunity Center is seeking the community’s help in raising $4,000 to expand its Fresh for All program.
The program, a partnership with Philabundance, provides fresh produce to hundreds of families every week. Over the years, the program has seen a rapid growth in the number of recipients, with the amount of food distributed nearly doubling from 2019 to 2023. As a result, KOC is seeking to expand its distribution capacity with a $4,000 fundraising campaign to purchase a second storage unit.
“We’re at a point where we’re growing so much, so the need for more space is becoming obvious,” said Julie Menardi, coordinator of Fresh for All.
Keystone Opportunity Center’s Fresh for All program provides fresh produce to needy community members every week.When Fresh for All was launched 13 years ago, the program served about 70 families a week. The need steadily rose through the years before escalating dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the program serves more than 260 families a week, said Menardi.
“The line wraps around the block,” said Menardi. “Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.”
Donations down
The growing need comes amid a 50% decline in food pantry donations and a 36% reduction in the amount of poundage from Philabundance, prompting the program to search for alternative food sources.
“The need is just increasing, so we’re trying to find other avenues to get food besides just Philabundance,” said Menardi. “Local community places like Garden of Health, the Detweiler Homestead, Bolton Farms; sometimes local people growing vegetables will bring them to us.”
Menardi characterized Fresh for All as a lifeline for the community, noting the difficulty of finding and affording fresh produce. The program provides each recipient a 30-pound bag of fruits and vegetables with eight to nine different products. There are no income or verification requirements, said Menardi.
“Anybody who drives up, as long as we have the bags of food available, they are welcome to pick up a bag of fruits or vegetables. There is no income requirement or anything like that,” said Menardi. “We try to make them feel really good because some people are embarrassed.”
As a result of the rising need, the Keystone Opportunity Center is seeking to raise $4,000 to purchase a second storage unit.For now, the program’s top priority is raising money for the second shed.
“Any assistance from the community would be greatly appreciated,” said Menardi. “We’re just one organization doing one thing, but it’s making a difference in a lot of people’s lives.”
The Fresh for All program is held every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. behind the Grace Bible Church in Souderton.
To support the new shed campaign, visit http://weblink.donorperfect.com/foodservices. Fresh produce and non-perishable food items can also be dropped off at the Keystone Opportunity Center at 104 N. Main Street in Souderton.
For more information, contact Clarice Foster at 215-723-5430 or [email protected]. Additional information can be found on KOC’s website at www.keystoneopportunity.org.
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