The loss of jobs and school closures caused by COVID-19 means even more residents of the Greater Philadelphia region are facing food insecurity and turning to Philabundance, one of the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organizations, for assistance. A program established by MarketPlace and PHL Food & Shops in March 2019 is needed more than ever.

For the past year, MarketPlace and PHL Food & Shops have partnered with Philabundance to implement a program that rescues food from more than 65 merchants at the airport for redistribution to various agencies and neighborhoods in the Greater Philadelphia region. The program has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal  as one of the publication’s “2020 Faces of Philanthropy”.

“MarketPlace PHL is truly a hunger hero year-round and we are so grateful for their continued support and generosity during COVID-19,” said Philabundance Program Manager of Sustainability, Cheyenne Pritchard. “Thanks to the hard work of their staff and merchants, over 30,000 pounds of rescued food [about 30,000 meals] have nourished our neighbors in need across the Delaware Valley.”

Even when passenger volume drastically decreased due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, MarketPlace and  PHL merchants continued its Philabundance contributions. From the beginning of March-April 3,  more than 6,000 pounds of food were donated to the Philabundance member network.  

“We are proud of the generosity and support our airport partners provide to the residents of our region year-round, but even more so during this time of crisis,” said PHL CEO Chellie Cameron. “Thank you for all that you do.”