January 2012
Dr Martine Luther King stated in his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech on 12/10/1964:
I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.
The Interreligious Food Consortium is a grassroots movement to help end hunger in Onondaga County. Currently we work with 70 food pantries in Onondaga County. We solicit, collect and distribute donated food to the various food pantries in Syracuse and Onondaga County to keep their shelves stocked at no cost.
We provide a referral program for those who are in need of an emergency food program. If necessary, we can contact the pantry coordinators for emergency situations. When people are in need we can connect them to the appropriate resources.
Formed in 1982, the IFC is a not for profit agency that relies on the generosity of individuals and corporations who care for the most vulnerable members of our society.
So many have done so much to help us make a difference in our community!
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Empty Bowls at the SU Warehouse, including our local restaurants: Asti Caffe, Gardenview Diner, Gentile’s Restaurant, Germaldi’s Ristorante, Joe’s Deli,Kitty Hoynes Restaurant, Pastabilities, Sparky Town and Strong Hearts Cafe. We truly appreciate the time and talent from the SU Staff, and students, Clayscapes Pottery Inc and the community.
Syracuse Partners Against Hunger is an adhoc group that includes individuals, businesses and organizations who contribute their time and resources to help us provide the personnel and systems in place to gather food and get it to where it is needed.
During the month of November we took in a total of 13,957 pounds of donated food. We distributed 10,832 pounds of food to various food pantries and social agencies. This included 150 turkeys from Lockheed Martin and more than 4800 pounds of food from Crucible Steel.
Our list of donors is many and we truly appreciate their support!
The need in our community continues to grow. Please know that whatever it may be, your donation will help us to carry through with our promise to make sure those who need emergency food receive it. We want to make sure that the services are provided to the most vulnerable in our community.
Donations can be mailed to IFC 222 Teall Ave. Syracuse, New York 13210 or through Pay Pal under DONATIONS. Please feel free to contact our office at 474-8855. You are always welcome to visit our office.
Hunger does not discriminate and affects all populations from young, to the elderly, people with disabilities, and the working poor. Hunger and the problems attributed to being hungry continue to increase. This year is especially worrisome for many people in our community. Somtimes we forget that hunger is a year round problem.
Thank you for your generosity
Michele Jordan, Executive Director
WHAT IS THE iNTERRELIGIOUS FOOD CONSORTIUM (IFC)
THE IFC IS AN UNBRELLA AGENCY FOR MORE THAN 70 FOOD PANTRIES AND MEAL SITES THROUGHOUT ONONDAGA COUNTY
THE IFC ASSISTS EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS WITH DONATIONS OF FOOD MONEY AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE IFC CONNECTS PEOPLE IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE WITH APPROPIATE RESOURCES.