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Dear Friends,
July begins a new fiscal year for Bread and Life - one filled with many unanswered questions for emergency food programs like Bread and Life. As the world returns to a state of "normal” and COVID restrictions are lifted, many of us are struggling to find the funding necessary to continue our work. At Bread and Life, we have been blessed by so many generous supporters over the years whose belief in our mission empowers us to service those in greatest need, but now, even with their support we struggle to meet the increased needs of those around us. Recently we, like so many other emergency food pantries, experienced significant government cuts causing us to reimagine how we will operate in the new year. Last year alone we saw an increase in the number of individuals and families in need of our services. In fact, we saw a 38% increase in our grab and go meal packages, a 10% increase in our pantry services and a 17% increase in our mobile market program along with an unprecedented 46% increase in the number of individuals registering for our emergency food programs. These numbers will not go away. Our case management team members continue to respond to the increased need for entitlement support, housing and other services and they will continue to walk with those who are struggling as they reimagine their own tomorrows.
In July, we re-introduced a new and improved state of the art digital choice shopping experience including services in multiple languages to help our guests shop quickly and easily in their own language. We added new kiosks and provided volunteers who are trained to help guests get acclimated to the new system. So besides English, our kiosks now can offer service in Spanish, Mandarin/ Cantonese, French Creole and Russian enabling the best possible shopping experience in the most dignified way.
We continue to average more than 400 families per day for pantry services, 750 for hot grab and go meals packages (1500 total meals), 500 access the mobile soup kitchen and 500 persons are served through the mobile market program each day. Now more than ever our elderly neighbors, the newly arrived and working families are coming to Bread and Life for basic necessities. They turn to us for nutritious food options, fresh fruits and vegetables and proteins that will help keep families healthy and for personal care items. New mothers with no support turn to us for baby clothes, diapers, wipes and formula. As we begin this new fiscal year, we realize that the challenges will be monumental but our commitment to those we serve is stronger than ever and we are grateful to each of you for your continued support.
As James Allen said: "No duty is more urgent than giving thanks.” SO to each of you I say "THANKS!"
With gratitude,
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