There is not just one reason for the problem of hunger in the community we serve. The community we serve has historically been plagued by high unemployment, underemployment, violence, crime, and drug and alcohol abuse before the economic downturn of 2008. Too often our clients would eat fast food and junk food because it is cheaper. The communities within our service area have not recovered economically. As of the 2010 US Census for Community Board 12, 39.4% of the population receives income support.

The continued increase in the cost of living with stagnate salaries also contributes to families not having enough money for nutritious food. Our community has hard-working adults who simply cannot always make ends meet and they and their families are forced to go without food. With the economic downturn many professionals in our community over 45 years of age are not valued in today’s job market. They are faced for the first time in their lives with being unable to fully support themselves and their families. With the high cost of living in our catchment area, these families often sacrifice food to keep a roof over their head.

With the Walmart Foundation Grant Award, AWD Food Pantry seeks to expand our services to provide healthy and nutritious food for 1,000 more children, adults, and seniors monthly. Currently we service on average 5,900 people monthly. With increased funding we can open an additional day, and conduct offsite food delivery services to include the St. Albans Montessori School, Missionary Baptist Church, the Jamaica NAACP and the Divine Deliverance Ministry Church as well as those who are unable to travel to our food pantry. This would increase our ability to service an unduplicated additional 1,000 children, adults and seniors monthly. AWD’s Food Pantry’s plan is to deliver twice a week fresh chicken, fruits, vegetables, juice, dairy products, snacks, rice, beans, organic food products and bread to these locations.