Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, recently announced plans to purchase a building that will house a food center called “Fare and Square” in Chester, PA. The 21,000 square foot nonprofit grocery store will be located in an area that hasn’t had a full-fledged supermarket for more than a decade. It will provide food staples at low prices in addition to offering free, donated food.
Known for it’s food banks and its service to low income residents at risk of hunger and malnutrition, Philabundance says they are changing their business model to nonprofit groceries since they have maximized food donations, yet demand for donated food continues to increase.
According to Philabundance Executive Director Bill Clark, “residents pay a very, very high price in loss of self-esteem to be able to get free food. If we can treat our clients as customers and not charity cases, we can instill in the process the dignity and respect that allows people to access the food they need to feed their families and maintain their dignity and self-respect.”
So far about $2.2 million has been raised. The total cost of the project is $4.5 million.