WSFS Bank has launched its 18th Annual Fall Food Drive to combat food insecurity across the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region. WSFS banking office locations in Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties (as well Burlington and Camden Counties in NJ) will serve as convenient food deposit centers.

Donations are being sought from customers, members of the community, and WSFS associates.

The pandemic has continued to intensify the need for food for millions across the country, evidenced by the following Feeding America 2021 statistics:

• 42 million Americans, including 13 million children, are estimated to be food insecure. These hungry citizens represent 12.9 percent of the total population
• Closer to home, statistics mirror the nationwide issue:
  • 12 percent of Pennsylvania residents routinely go hungry
  • 11.7 percent of people in New Jersey face food insecurity
  • 12.3 percent of Delawareans are in steady nutritional need

Now through Nov. 19 WSFS will collect nonperishable food items and donate them to organizations fighting hunger in communities the bank serves:

• Rolling Harvest Food Rescue (Bucks County)
• The Patrician Society (Montgomery County)
• Catholic Social Services (Philadelphia County)
• CityTeam (Delaware County)
• Sunday Breakfast Mission (Del., where the collection deadline is Dec. 31)
• Burlington Township Food Pantry (Burlington and Camden Counties, NJ)

 “As we approach two years of the world being mired in a pandemic, the need for relief assistance in the region continues to increase, placing additional strain on our nonprofits to keep up with demand,” said Vernita L. Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy at WSFS Bank.

“Our goal is to surpass the more than 56,000 meals the Food Drive helped raise in 2020 thanks to the generosity of our communities. We welcome everyone from across our footprint to search their hearts and pantries to make donations of nonperishable items to help those in need.”

Last year, WSFS donated more than 57,000 pounds of food to provide more than 56,000 meals to those in need thanks to the generosity of its associates, customers, and community members.

Donations can be dropped off at WSFS banking offices, searchable online.