Ensuring No One Goes Hungry

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals are facing dire challenges. Grocery store shelves have limited stock, public transportation has been running on severely modified schedules and medical facilities are overwhelmed. Millions have lost their paychecks, jobs and a way to sustain life.

One critical challenge Volunteers of America Delaware Valley is working hard to address is ensuring that no family or individual ever goes hungry.

Beginning in early April, VOADV has been working side-by-side with local food banks, community organizations, law enforcement agencies and others in various capacities to collect and distribute meals to hundreds of struggling families and vulnerable individuals throughout the region.

In recent weeks, VOADV’s Safe Return Tri-County staff joined forces with Food Bank of South Jersey at St. John’s Pentecostal Church and Spirit & Truth Ministries, with locations in Salem and Vineland, to distribute meals to local families and individuals in need. Through their joint effort, a total of 470 individuals were served between both sites, all following safe distancing and required safety protocols.

Additionally, VOADV’s Safe Return and Navigator programs have been partnering with local law enforcement in the Camden and Pine Hill communities to provide manpower and vehicles to distribute meals, essential resources and aid to residents in need of assistance.

With the generous support from local donors, partners and dedicated staff members, staff at VOADV’s Aletha R. Wright “Vision of Hope” Center in Camden have also been able to provide a supplemental meal at lunchtime to clients in the shelter. On a typical day, only breakfast and dinner are served at the center, as the majority of client are offsite during midday hours. However, COVID-19 shelter in place protocol has kept these individuals around the center 24/7. VOADV wanted to ensure these clients could safely shelter in pace without the fear of missing a meal, so the addition of a tasty, delicious lunchtime meal was critical and necessary.

Finally, we have been overwhelmed by those within the greater Delaware Valley community who have generously donated to VOADV in recent weeks! With your support, the countless families and individuals in our emergency care and housing facilities continue to receive much needed supplies of food, water, toiletries, cleaning products and protective equipment during these uncertain times.

We continue to find hope in the generosity and kindness of others – individuals, community organizations and our valued partner agencies. Support from the community is what enables us to be here for those most in need of services. VOADV is proud of the hard work of our staff and partners during these this time to ensure meals, housing services, and care are available to all those in need.

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