GO Pantry’s Post

Watch the video tour of the P.A.C.K. facility! Recently, we had an incredible PACK the Van event at the Isle of Hope, where we got an exclusive tour of the P.A.C.K. warehouse and distribution center, guided by Malena Stone herself! The organization and beauty she has infused into this space are truly breathtaking. For those who appreciate an impeccably organized environment (yes, fellow OCD friends, I'm talking to you!), this place is a dream. The bag-packing area operates with unparalleled efficiency – a model of streamlined operations crucial for packing over 4,300 weekly bags for kids. With 1 in 3 children in Southeast Georgia facing food insecurity, the impact of this efficiency cannot be overstated. Malena explained there are another 2000 kids on the waiting list for these food bags! But there's more to the warehouse than just efficiency; the shop area, thoughtfully designed by Malena, creates an experience akin to shopping in a high-end store for the kids. This beautiful, clean, and welcoming space is where children can select clothes and supplies that would otherwise be unaffordable for them. Additionally, it's here that 'emergency bags' are prepared for kids in urgent need, often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These emergency bags, akin to overnight bags, are equipped with a change of clothes and essential items to support the children for a day or two.   Words can not do justice to how impressive this place is – you have to see it for yourself. Check out our video for a full tour, and prepare to be amazed! In light of recent budget cuts, they desperately need the support!! (our ingenious politicians have cut 70% of their budget) P.A.C.K. needs our support more than ever to continue their vital work. Every donation makes a difference in combating child hunger in our community. Click the link below to donate NOW, and help us keep making a positive impact! Donate Here → https://bit.ly/PACKTheVAN   #PACKSavannah #CommunityImpact #VolunteeringJoy"

There is still time to get involved with our Acheson Christmas Hamper Drive. Until the big collection day on December 6th at Western Star Trucks (North) Ltd we will be conveying more about the need for donations this year. Today we are sharing information about the Parkland Food Bank Society as we are asking businesses to collect non-perishable food items for this year's Christmas Hamper program. Did you know that 40% of individuals served are children and that 33% are single parents? The Parkland Food Bank provides food for 2400 individuals a month! Did you also know that for the first time, there has been a significant increase in food bank clients who reported employment as their main source of income? Every donation, no matter the amount can make an impact. We have included a link to the items that are most needed. https://lnkd.in/gqMJB6Py Let's make a difference in the lives of individuals and families this holiday season!

The more access to resources that struggling kids have, the more likely they are to stick it out and stay in school and eventually graduate, get a GED or go to college. This was a driving force for our Kitsap Chapter’s “Weekend Food Bags” program. While many unaccompanied, homeless or at-risk students receive a free lunch during the week through state and federal programs, they often do without on the weekend. Through a partnership model with four regional school districts and the local community college, and funding via donations, Kitsap provides each month: –1400+ food packs to 400+ young hands who need them. Each pack contains three meals, snacks, juice box, treat and napkin/utensil. – 6,200 individual snacks and easy-entrees (Cup Noodle Soups/microwavable Mac & Cheese cups) to counselors and teachers to support another 300-350 youth who don't qualify for government-subsidized meals but are still experiencing hunger. A small, key volunteer crew, led by Executive Director Margaret Rodriguez and Assistant Chapter Director Felicia Hord, helps store, assemble and deliver the much-appreciated packs across their sprawling, rural area in Western Washington. We love the impact they’re making to reduce food insecurity and break the cycle of students dropping out of school. But as Felicia shares, “So many more hands we need, so much more we could be doing.” Read about our Kitsap Chapter here: https://buff.ly/4afwCxK #StandUpInAction #Kitsap #KitsapCounty #FoodInsecurity #EndHunger #FoodRescue #Hope #Donation #CycleOfHope

1 in 8 households in the United States are food insecure, while 40% of our food supply continues to goes to waste. Food Forward rescues surplus produce and distributes it to over 260 hunger relief partners in communities experiencing food insecurity. This year alone we have distributed more than 200 million servings of fresh fruits and vegetables that would have otherwise gone to waste. Make a donation of $35, or become a $5 monthly donor, by August 9 and receive a Food Forward t-shirt specially designed by animation artist, Lorraine Grate, whose work has been featured on Disney, Nickelodeon, Amazon, and Scholastic! Visit https://bit.ly/3WBfaPW to get yours. #TShirtForGood #ShirtForaCause #SloganTeeshop #GoodCharityTees #BuildingGenerationalHealth #FoodForward #foodwaste #zerowaste #community #volunteer #donate #nonprofit #communityengagement #foodjustice #dogood #makeadifference #foodrecovery #donation #instagood #bethechange #kindness #joyfulness #giving #foodinsecurity #produce #communityfirst #helpothers #losangeles #california #equality #justice #sustainability

🎈 Digital Communications Creations is celebrating another anniversary! Raritan Food Pantry (RFP) launched their website three years ago shortly after the opening of their needs-based food pantry in Raritan, NJ. The dual-language website receives an estimated 2K visitors annually and features necessary information for the pantry's volunteers and those seeking assistance in English and Spanish. Many of our community members are facing food insecurity, so it's important that those in need can easily access and understand the services available to them. RFP's non-profit funding is designated for basic operating purposes, leaving no room for any other spend. As with any business, a website has become a necessity, so it was a special opportunity for DCC to be able to donate the site's initial development and to continue to support RFP by donating the site's annual maintenance fees, totaling $1,500 over the three year period, to keep it up and running, ensuring it continues to provide necessary information to the community. DCC believes non-profit organizations are an integral part of any thriving community. Having the opportunity to support this vital organization to enhance their presence is key to achieving the DCC mission. #digitalmarketing #smallbusinessmarketing #njfoodbank #smallbusinessmarketing

Food Drive for "The Sisters Keepers" is still under way! We are half way through April and would love to see even more donations come through our doors! According to an article from WENY, Catholic Charities provided the following statistics: "According to Catholic Charities, in 2023, there were 1,357 distinct individuals who experienced homelessness and received services in Chemung County. 317 of those individuals were under the age of 18..." The need is great, and numbers are likely to have grown since then! You can order from Amazon via our Wishlist, Wal-Mart, Instacart, Costco, BJ's and Sam's Club to have your donation shipped directly to our door, or, you can drop off to us, right here at Image Packaging. We appreciate all of our fabulous donors that have helped make a difference in the lives of others! Thank you! https://lnkd.in/g-tHKmch #philanthropy #sponsors #volunteer #opportunity #food #foodservice #donate #helpwanted #socialmediamarketing #digitalmarketing #online #delivery #deliver #promote #advertising #advertisingsolutions #notforprofit #nonprofit #communitydevelopment #communitygrowth #growth #community #mindfulness #love #sharing #giving #online #corporate #organizations #grants #awareness #help #helpwanted #helpneeded #socialservices #socialissues #charity #charities #unity #unite

In our 2023 Annual Report, we take a look at trends at FISH over the past few years, particularly comparing pre-pandemic numbers to today. What we are seeing is continued growth in need, as the high cost of living paired with fewer support resources adds more and more strain for families. One area in which we have seen considerable increases is the pounds of food we distribute each year. In 2023, FISH distributed 1,560,603 pounds of food, more than any other year in our history as an organization. Our marketplace could not run without the generous support of our community. We source food from four main sources: donations from our Broomfield grocery stores and restaurant partners, Community Food Share, in-kind donations from our neighbors (which includes food drives!), and purchased food made possible by our incredible donors and by grant funding. All of these support networks allow us to stock a variety of food and personal care items for our families so they can shop for what their families need. Learn more about our work and recent trends at bit.ly/FISH23Report. #FoodBank #FamilyResourceCenter #Trends #AnnualReport

We now estimate that we would need to spend twice what we originally budgeted to spend on food this year to meet the ongoing need. This leaves us with a critical gap between the amount of food people in our community need and the amount of food we can provide. Referring people to other food pantries is not the answer, since they are all facing the same critical challenges we are. It is a very difficult and disturbing truth for all of us. While we are deeply concerned, we remain hopeful. We have a generous community, tremendous volunteers, and a skilled and committed staff. Together we can make sure people in our community have the most basic and critical of all needs met and that our neighbors don’t have to experience hunger. You can help by sharing this message in your circles, and also by making a commitment to help today. Increase your giving, make your first financial gift, become a Circle of Hope monthly giver (see below for a link to help you with these), or purchase items from our Amazon wish list. https://lnkd.in/gq2K9EDj This isn't a short term problem with short term answers. But every action makes a difference.

Sam's Club and Walmart have been pivotal in supporting our Agency Partners like Soul Food Cafe Mission. Their donations not only provide essential resources but also foster a sense of community and collaboration. Through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, Soul Food Cafe Mission and other Agency Partners can amplify their impact, reaching more individuals in need and creating a lasting difference in the community.💙 From April 1-29, 2024, you can make a difference in your community in three simple ways: 1. Purchase participating products in-store or online, and suppliers will donate the equivalent of meals. 2. Donate at checkout in stores or clubs, or round up your purchase on https://ow.ly/RFkT50RfcAA and the Walmart app. 3. Donate directly at Feeding America's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign site. Together, we can make an impact! Let's fight hunger and support our neighbors in need. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eNnHT56 or https://lnkd.in/eC32-rR 🛒 #FightHunger #SparkChange #CommunityStrong

Got $25? You've got power. 💪 Power to turn that into $450 for food charities using our Tackle Hunger programs. Let's use our power for good. Text “Tackle” to 26989 to use your power! #TackleHunger #GiveBack #PowerfulPrograms #PowerOfGiving