In the fall of 2009, the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger launched the Victory in Partnership (VIP) Project to support food pantries and soup kitchens in the region. With funding from the William Penn Foundation and Stroehmann Bakeries, the VIP Project: 1) networks programs within five regions of Philadelphia, so they can work together to fight hunger and strengthen the safety net in their communities; and provides programs with funding, training, technology and other resources.
 
Most food pantries and soup kitchens are small, faith-based operations run by volunteers with limited resources of their own. In 2009, more than half of programs did not have enough food to meet current demand, according to the Coalition’s annual survey of more than 150 food pantries and soup kitchens. 
 
The VIP Project supports food pantries and soup kitchens through: 

• Regional Networks: VIP food pantries and soup kitchen representatives meet monthly in five geographic regions—North, Northwest, Northeast, West and Center City/South Philadelphia. At each meeting, representatives receive free trainings on best practices for their programs, exchange ideas and discuss ways to coordinate resources to better serve clients.  

• Stroehmann Nourishing Neighbors Program: The Coalition administers funds to food pantries for food, equipment, transportation and other needs. Funding is provided by Stroehmann Bakeries, ACME Markets and Giant Food Stores.

• Adopt-a-Pantry: A new web portal enables donors to locate a food pantry in their neighborhood, learn about its needs (food, kitchen equipment, etc.) and donate online to fulfill those needs.

• Volunteer Match: A new volunteer match program matches website visitors with volunteer opportunities and food pantries and soup kitchens.