Broad Street Ministry Receives $70,000 Grant from Walmart Foundation to Fight Hunger in Philadelphia

November 9, 2015

Funding will be used to expand the ‘Hospitality Collaborative’ and the number of meal offerings per week

Rev. Bill Golderer receives check from Rick Phillips, Walmart Foundation Board Member, and other Walmart Associates

Philadelphia, PA (November 9, 2015)—Broad Street Ministry, an organization that provides meals for thousands of hungry and homeless Philadelphians, today received a $70,000 grant to expand their “Hospitality Collaborative,” an initiative aimed at serving impoverished Philadelphians. The funding from the Walmart Foundation will be used to increase the number of meal offerings per week to seven, up from four in 2014.

“Walmart’s generosity is coming at a critical time in the fight against hunger in Philadelphia, which has the highest poverty rate in any of America’s 10 largest cities,” said Rev. Bill Golderer, Broad Street Ministry’s Founder and Convening Minister. “The Hospitality Collaborative has been expanding the amount of meals and supportive service it offers for the last four years, but this large jump from four meals a week to seven is an important step to help feed the over 400,000 food insecure Philadelphians.”

The Hospitality Collaborative started in 2007 as a family-style Thursday dinner, and has since evolved to service over 500 guests and has become the flagship initiative of Broad Street Ministry. Guided by its trauma-informed model of care, the Hospitality Collaborative rejects the traditional “first come – first served” model which adds additional stress and anxiety to their guests.

“With our model, we make sure there is always enough food for everyone, so that we can foster a community among our guests” said Golderer. “Through providing seven meals a week we estimate that we will now be able to serve 90,000 meals annually to 5,000 guests. People in poverty have a daily battle with hunger and food insecurity; through the generosity of Walmart we are nourishing those who are the most vulnerable.”

“Fighting hunger is Walmart’s single biggest philanthropic priority here in Philadelphia, and across the Commonwealth said Jason Klipa, Walmart Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations in Pennsylvania. “We are proud to help Broad Street Ministry expand its Hospitality Collaborative to help feed those most prone to hunger.”

In 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched “Fighting Hunger Together” – a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015. This initiative leverages Walmart’s size and resources to provide nutritious food and the Walmart Foundation’s ability to grant funding to nonprofits that help elevate the issue. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $26.6 million in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations throughout Pennsylvania in 2013.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated more than 1.3 billion meals to people in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.

About Broad Street Ministry

Broad Street Ministry seeks to break down barriers to affect a positive impact on Philadelphia’s social fabric. Poverty, unemployment, and hunger are critical issues in Philadelphia. BSM’s programming, including a Worship Community, Youth Initiative, and Winter Shelter, promote community and civic engagement and support the social framework of our flagship program, the Hospitality Collaborative. This essential service program provides six meals per week and includes partnerships with local nonprofits to ensure effective and coordinated provision of basic needs and supports to the city’s most vulnerable. Social services include medical and behavioral health services, veteran’s assistance and housing counseling, legal assistance, and HIV/AIDS testing and referral. BSM provides toiletries and clothing, therapeutic arts, and a mail service, which allows our guests to prove residency, procure essential identification documents and receive public benefits. For more information on Broad Street Ministry visit www.broadstreetministry.org.

 

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