Freedom from Hunger Food Drive sets record

Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board will keep the donation link open through the holidays

UPPER MERION » It was another record-setting year for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s Freedom from Hunger Food Drive.

This year’s drive raised $6,902, which is the equivalent of more than 30,000 pounds of food — a record amount and well surpassing the agency’s goal of 25,000 pounds of food for this year’s drive.

More than 60 individuals and businesses donated to the fundraiser, which was held in September and October, according to a press release announcing this year’s results.

The Freedom from Hunger Food Drive was started as a farewell “gift” to Pope Francis in 2015 when the Pontiff stayed in Montgomery County during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. It has grown each year — to date raising enough for more than 75,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry in Montgomery County.

For the second consecutive year, the Freedom from Hunger Food Drive was a completely online event — with monetary donations collected rather than food items — in light of ongoing concerns about the pandemic.

A formula is used to translate the amount of money collected into how much food can be purchased. The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board previously told MediaNews Group that one pound of food can be purchased for about 23 cents.

“We can’t thank the community enough,” Mike Bowman, president and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, said in a statement. “Every year, we challenge folks to help us fight hunger together, and the Montgomery County community hasn’t let us down yet. Thank you for helping us take care of our friends, neighbors, families, and children. Every little bit truly helps.”

Bowman added that the donation link will be kept open through the holidays, “since the need has been so much greater over the last year or so.”

The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board also partnered with the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), a coalition of hunger relief organizations working to keep families stable with food assistance. The network provides resources to food pantries that feed those who are food insecure in Montgomery County.

Paula Schafer, executive director of the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network said the organization is “beyond grateful” for the donations.

“We needed help, and Montco answered that call,” she said, in a statement. “We were already able to make a bulk fish order of tilapia, which is a big deal to be able to offer fresh protein. So many people are still in need, and struggling to bounce back from the pandemic, and storms.”

Before the coronavirus struck in early 2020, the MontCo AntiHunger Network served more than 28,566 households, and more than 60,000 individuals each year. Over the past year, those numbers have increased to more than 38,060 households, and another 24,000 people for a total of 84,000, according to the network.

In addition, the agency reports that the number of food pantries in Montgomery County has also increased from 38 to 47. About 28 of those food pantries rely exclusively on donated food to supply distributions, the release stated. The food pantries distribute anywhere from 1,200 pounds of food per month to more than 100,000 pounds of food per month at the largest distributing food pantry in Montgomery County — Catholic Social Services in Norristown.

Several area businesses made donations of $500 or more, including: bartaco in King of Prussia Mall; The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks; Brandywine Realty Trust; Heritage Coach Company; and TD Bank.

To make a donation visit www. valleyforge.org/hunger.