Help Kick Hunger Campaign Kicks Off

Dear Sons of Ben, Please begin collecting canned foods and monetary donations as we prepare our second annual donation to the Bernardine Center in Chester. The Center serves the needy about a mile away from our stadium.

In 2007, we raised $1,500 AND 561 pounds of food for the Bernardine Center whose stated goal is “We provide a helping hand to low-income Chester residents by distributing emergency or supplemental food and supplies. We also offer educational, spiritual and advocacy programs to help clients build better lives for themselves, their families and communities.” We discovered the good work the Center does by partnering with the mayor’s office to find a cause to support.

Mayor Wendell Butler and his Chief of Staff, Thomas Moore, pointed us to the Bernardine Center. “Opened as an Emergency Food Cupboard, the Center designed the model Super Cupboard program in 1987. This program seeks to break the cycle of poverty and dependence for low-income mothers by providing weekly sessions that include nutrition education and life skills workshops. The Super Cupboard model has been copied extensively throughout Pennsylvania.”

As you can see by donating cash and/or canned goods, you help make lives better in our new home city. Please contribute in whatever way you can.

We are also planning two special collection dates for this year’s drive. The second is November 23rd at a MLS Cup Viewing Party at Philadelphia’s Dark Horse Tavern. The first, chronologically, will be announced soon. Nudge, nudge.