The Ceres Society: Are You In?

Last Friday I attended an event at the home of Tracy Davidson, Emmy Award winning news anchor and consumer news reporter for NBC Philadelphia.  Tracy has spent her career in the media industry focused on reporting consumer news and making the Delaware Valley a better place to live.   Her warm and engaging personality is as real in person as it is on air.

This gathering of women from around the Delaware Valley was to learn about a very serious and important cause; one that we can all do something about.

The financial strain of the recent recession has taken a toll on many of us.  Some are even going without the essentials in order to provide for their families.  There are almost a million people in the Delaware Valley who face hunger every day.  They are often hidden in plain sight, people we may even know.  Their kids go to school with our children. (Yes, they really do.)  They are also women and children who are trying to make ends meet or seniors who cannot stretch their dollars enough with the rising costs of food, gas and medicines.

Philabundance is trying to help.  The organization was created in 1984 with the belief that no one should go hungry.  Today, Philabundance tackles hunger through direct programs and a network of member agencies, as well as social services through food cupboards, emergency kitchens, shelters, daycare centers, senior centers and beyond.  Philabundance serves nine counties in and around the city of Philadelphia.

There has been a 35% increase annually in the need for food in this region alone yet studies show that more than a quarter of the food in the United States goes to waste each year.  Isn’t that just pitiful?

If you want to make sure that each man, woman and child can put food on the table, there are a variety of ways you can help. In addition to financial donations, Philabundance is in need of people who can provide: food donations, volunteering, spreading awareness, holding a benefit, giving your ideas and posting a donation badge on your website.  To learn more, go to http://www.philabundance.org/take-action/get-involved/.

The Ceres Society

Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth and harvest was the most loved of all the gods for her nurturing spirit and genuine love of humankind.

See that photo of the statue above?  That’s her.

The gathering at Tracy’s home was to introduce the Ceres Society, a group of women who are harnessing their collective influence to fight hunger through advocacy, action and financial support.  This spring, each gift made to the Ceres Society will be leveraged through a strategic matching grant to create a challenge for the entire community. Through participation in this targeted program, members are affirming the idea that hunger is unacceptable at all levels.

In return for their generosity, members of the Ceres Society will receive an invitation to the members only Ceres Society celebration, a private tour of the Philabundance Hunger Relief Center, a certificate of membership, insider updates and an invite to a networking reception.  Please contact Tina Rothfuss, Annual Giving Manager, if you are interested in learning more about joining the Ceres Society at 215-339-0900 x301 or giving@philabundance.org.

Thank you to Tracy and to the amazing women of the Ceres Society and Philabundance for a terrific evening!

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Technorati Tags: ceres, Ceres Society, Delaware Valley, Emmy Award, Hunger, NBC Philadelphia, Philabundance, Philadelphia, Tracy Davidson

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