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WHAT: BEBASHI FOOD DRIVE (Non-Perishable) and 100.3 Beat Van WHERE: Franklin Learning Center, 616 N 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 WHEN: Friday May 20th, 2005. 11-2pm WHY: BEBASHI operates a food cupboard at 1217 Spring Garden Street for anyone affected or infected with HIV/AIDS. Although we receive funding for 250 persons a year, we actually serve over 750 Philadelphians in need of food. And, while our food bank has greatly benefited many of our clients who might otherwise have gone hungry, inadequate funding has hampered our ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for this service and often we must limit the food a family receives. In Philadelphia, and throughout the country, it has become increasingly difficult for low-income people to afford food. In fact, a report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors states that in 2003, Philadelphia saw its demand for emergency food assistance increase 14 percent from last year and was expecting that requests for food would rise again over the coming year. The increased demand was attributed to growing unemployment, low-paying jobs, high housing costs, substance abuse, and high energy and utility costs. Moreover, the report notes that in Philadelphia, food donations dropped about 15 percent - with manufacturers selling their excess food products to dollar stores rather than giving it to food banks - and funding donations fell about 20 percent. So far, Franklin Learning Center and the Pan-Hellenic Council have adopted BEBASHI’S non perishable food drive. Please stop by Franklin Learning Center and the 100.3 The Beat Truck on May 20th and drop off a non-perishable item to help support those in need. You may also drop off donations to our headquarters at 1217 Spring Garden St., 1st Floor. Drop off hours are: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri – 9:00am-5:00pm and Thursday from 9am-7:30pm. CONTACT: Joni Bishop, Director of Development and Public Relations 215-769-3561 x 140
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