Inter-Faith Food Shuttle often cites the importance of community taking care of community in ongoing efforts to fulfill our mission to feed, teach, grow, and cultivate an end to hunger in our wider community. Never has the impact of community outreach been more evident than during our recent year-end You Are the Heart of Our Community campaign. Thanks to our amazing supporters, the campaign garnered an impressive $483,833. Add to that the $100,000 match funding provided by 4 Others Foundation and Oak Foundation, and holiday giving totaled well over half a million dollars.
The Food Shuttle will not be resting on our laurels, though. As of the last quarter of 2022, we’ve seen a 25% increase over the year before in the number of neighbors seeking hunger relief from our programs and services. Food prices continue to increase dramatically, as do the pounds of food we distribute to those in need. In December 2022 alone, the Food Shuttle distributed over 900,000 pounds of food through Mobile Markets, School Pantries, Family Food Boxes, and various partner agencies. As the economy continues its current trend, the call for food distributions and programs that empower our neighbors to meet their own food needs will only grow. The Food Shuttle is committed to meeting those needs. Thanks to you, our generous supporters who answered the call during our year-end campaign, we are well situated to do just that.