WSFS Bank launches annual food drive

Donations can be dropped at locations across the region

Through Dec. 11, customers can donate nonperishable food items at local bank branches.

WILMINGTON, DEL. » WSFS Bank has launched its annual fall/ winter food drive — the 17th year the company has held the drive to help address food insecurity across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Now through Dec. 11, WSFS customers, communities and associates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey can donate nonperishable food items at bank locations, including eight in Chester County and 10 locations in Montgomery County. Collections in Delaware will continue through Dec. 31.

Items collected will be donated to several organizations that are fighting hunger in communities served by the bank, including:

• Rolling Harvest Food Rescue ( Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties)

• Chester County Food Bank ( Chester County)

• Sunday Breakfast Mission ( Del.)

• Burlington Township Food Pantry ( Burlington and Camden counties, N. J.)

The coronavirus pandemic has increased the need for food for many people, with more than 54 million people estimated to be food insecure in 2020, according to Feeding America. The 2020 projected food insecurity rate in Delaware of 17.8% exceeds the nationwide projection of 16.7%. In Pennsylvania the projected food insecurity rate is 15.9% and 13.5% in New Jersey.

“The pandemic has only increased the need for relief assistance in the region and our nonprofits are struggling to keep pace,” Vernita L. Dorsey, senior vice president, director of community strategy at WSFS Bank, said in a press release. “We welcome everyone from across our footprint to participate in the effort to stop hunger and to end food insecurity in our neighborhoods.”

A spokesman for WSFS

said that in Pennsylvania, some of the items being requested include canned fruit in its own juice; 100% fruit juice; no sugar added apple sauce; canned vegetables ( low sodium or no salt added); whole grain pasta; brown rice; quinoa; oatmeal; breakfast cereals ( whole grain or low sugar); canned meats; beans; split peas and lentils; peanut butter; shelf stable low- fat milk; non- fat dried powder milk; dry- grated parmesan cheese; olive oil; canola oil; low sodium/ no salt added broths; lemon juice or vinegar; spices; and low sodium soups.

“WSFS Bank has emerged as a true partner for healthy food access and hunger relief in this challenging age of COVID- 19,” Cathy Snyder, founder and executive director, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, said in the release. “We are so honored to be serving with them to collect all of this great food for our neighbors in need, especially leading up to the holidays.”

Since 2010, Rolling Harvest has been focused on partnering with local farmers on sharing local produce with food insecure communities, according to the organization’s website. Volunteers help with daily pick- up from 38 farms and food producers and distributions to more than 60 hunger relief sites, including food pantries, domestic violence shelters, lowincome senior centers, homeless shelters and atrisk low- income adults with health challenges.

In 2019, WSFS donated nearly 66,000 pounds of food to those in need. Customers and area residents are encouraged to take their non perishable food donations to participating WSFS banking offices. To find the nearest WSFS Bank location, visit www. wsfsbank. com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO WSFS has kicked off its annual food drive to fi ght food insecurity across the region. Between now and Dec. 11, customers can donate nonperishable food at any WSFS location, including eight in Chester and 10 in Montgomery counties. This photos shows WSFS employees with some food items being donated this year.