FOUNDATION: FIGHTING HUNGER GRANTS
The following post was written by guest blogger, Noelle Nachreiner, Chi–Michigan State University, Communications and Programs Manager for the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.
What if you didn’t know when or how you would get your next meal? For one in eight people in North America, this is a reality and includes our most vulnerable populations—children, senior citizens and even fellow college students.
The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation works alongside the Fraternity to fight hunger in local communities. In May 2018, the Foundation awarded $250,000 to 36 hunger-relief organizations through its Fighting Hunger Grants program. These organizations put their grants to good use, and the preliminary results are impressive.
Feeding the Valley Food Bank, in Columbus, Georgia, used their $7,500 grant to purchase fresh produce, including more than 33,000 pounds of watermelon, 22,000 pounds of carrots and 38,000 pounds of corn. This produce was used in their Kids Cafes, feeding an average of 2,000 children a day throughout the summer.
Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse, New York, received a $10,000 grant, which funded nearly half of their Mobile Food Pantry. The Food Bank distributes food to 11 counties throughout Central New York and has utilized funds, in part, to provide an estimated 110,785 meals.
The Foundation also awarded $5,000 to Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This grant was used to subsidize 1,552 meals for their clients, the majority of whom are of advanced age. Because of the program, 84 percent of their clients stated they now worry less about how they will receive their next meal.
Fighting Hunger Grant recipients reported that funds from the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation provided close to 460,000 pounds of food to nearly 150,000 individuals throughout the summer. While this is great progress, there is still more work to be done.
How can you get involved in the fight against hunger?
- Volunteer – Find an area food bank or pantry and volunteer for a few hours. Need help finding an organization near you? Email philanthropy@alphagammadelta.org.
- Give – Support the Alpha Gam Foundation! Click here to give a gift today. If you want to ensure your donation helps us fight hunger, select it as a designation on your giving form.
- Connect – If your chapter or alumnae group works with a local nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger, encourage them to apply for a Fighting Hunger Grant. The application opens on December 5 with grants awarded in spring 2019.