Bebashi discusses health equitability, client specific food and their ‘free’ food pantry at 2023 Philabundance conference.
Bebashi’s HEZ Community Outreach Specialist discusses Food First food pantry and benefits of a client specific pantry model.
PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2023) – On Thursday, June 2nd , 2022, Bebashi’s HEZ Community Outreach Specialist, Isabella Perretti, participated in the Philabundance Community Partnership Day to discuss and answer questions about the organization’s Food First food pantry and healthy pantry initiative.
The goal of Bebashi’s Food First food pantry is to ensure that no Philadelphian goes hungry. The pantry provides fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and nonperishable items to economically challenged individuals and families, as well as ready-to-eat meals for individuals who lack the facilities to store or prepare food. The newly renovated pantry now offers a grocery style, client choice experience, so that the organization’s clients could select the items they want, need, and use. The pantry also works on a points system, based on the number of people in a household. “This innovative model is doing wonders for Bebashi and has allowed us to better help those in need,” said Perretti. “Our clients really do like the model because it’s something they say gives them maximum dignity during times of crisis, when they may not be comfortable asking for help.” 
Bebashi has traditionally been known as an HIV/AIDS medical facility but over the years, the organization has expanded its services to address the many other socio-economic challenges that their clients live with daily. The organization is dedicated to making its services, including the food pantry, as accessible as possible, and has positioned itself as one of Philadelphia’s leading social services organizations for the urban community.
“We have several clients who take a variety of medications for HIV, diabetes, blood pressure issues and other health needs. So, in fact, being able to find foods and recipes that fit within their lifestyle is essential. The food pantry not only contributes to the health benefit of each client but makes food equitable among black and brown communities.”
In addition to the food pantry, Bebashi also has a community fridge that is accessible 24 hours a day, for anyone who needs food. These initiatives make Bebashi a rare commodity amongst its peers in the non-profit space and ensure that the organization can continue to serve all people who need help with dignity and respect.
To learn more about Bebashi’s services and how you can support the organization, visit bebashi.org or call 215-769-3561.
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PHOTO DETAILS: (click images for high-res version)
CREDIT: Bebashi
CAPTION: Isabella Perretti
About Bebashi – Transition to Hope
Bebashi – Transition to Hope was founded in 1985 as a full-service HIV/AIDS nonprofit organization with a special interest in serving low-income people of color with HIV disease. As the second-oldest AIDS service organization in the Philadelphia region, Bebashi was the first African American organization in the United States to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It remains one of Philadelphia’s largest community-based minority providers of HIV/AIDS education and services for the urban community. Bebashi’s mission is to empower Black and brown people to enhance the quality of their health and overall well-being by providing access to culturally sensitive high-quality healthcare, HIV/AIDS services, health education and social services. Since its inception, the organization has expanded to address other health disparities impacting the community and its services now include hunger relief, primary medical care and navigation services. For more information, go to Bebashi.org.
