In 2019, Nutritional Development Services collected nearly 19,000 pounds of non-perishable canned “one-meal” items for those in need.
Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will once again host its annual Lenten “One-Can Meal” Food Drive in conjunction with 119 elementary, 17 secondary, and 4 schools of special education in the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese.
Participating faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to collect non-perishable “one-can” meals including low-sodium or water packed canned meats and seafood, low-sodium soups and beef stew, canned beans, and more. This annual food drive helps to stock the shelves of NDS’ network of food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and to benefit those who do not have access to nutritious sustenance. If you would like know more about the Lenten food drive, please contact Denise Hopkins at 215-895-3470 ext. 77823 or [email protected].
NDS is also hosting an online food drive to enable broad and meaningful participation in the Lenten season. Those interested in helping our neighbors in need can support NDS’ Community Food Program by purchasing “one-can” meal food items online through You Give Goods at https://yougivegoods.com/lentendrive2020.
All goods donated now through Friday, April 3rd will be shipped directly to NDS’ Community Food Program and be distributed to those in need.
This year, faithful are also encouraged to participate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s 45th annual Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl initiative, which provides people of all ages with ways to incorporate fasting and almsgiving into their Lenten journeys.
Seventy-five percent of all contributions to Rice Bowl are used to provide assistance to impoverished communities overseas. Twenty-five percent of all donations to CRS Rice Bowl benefits NDS’ Community Food Program supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts locally.
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Editor’s Note: For over forty-six years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food and food-related resources. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/. NDS is an equal opportunity service provider.