Friendship Donations Network (FDN)

Dear Neighbor,

We are writing to you today because we know you care about the hungry in our community.  Up until this year, Friendship Donations Network (FDN), which redistributes food to the hungry, has operated predominantly as a one-woman private philanthropy, however, due to the ageing of the Founder/Director and growth of the program, FDN needs to support a small staff.

Our fundraising goal is $46,290.  This amount will ensure that the nearly $2 million worth of food that FDN collects per year does not go to waste.  FDN has secured and is applying for grants to install a walk-in cooler in downtown, and to reimburse our volunteers drivers for gasoline.  We have also collected in-kind donations amounting to $2,326,400 this year.

FDN is a lifeline for 2,200 mostly poor people in Ithaca and nearby communities. Our mission is to alleviate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition by recovering up to 700,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food valued up to $ 2 million a year.  FDN is the only one-call center for food donors 364 days-a-year in the Finger Lakes region. FDN rescues food that supermarkets and other outlets would dump, and vegetables that local farmers would plow under. Twenty-six food pantries and their 245 volunteers distribute this food to the hungry.  In addition to food, FDN distributes quality clothing, personal supplies and housewares to the poor.  FDN models a low-budget, mostly volunteer-run, food rescue and distribution network that redirects nutritious food to hunger-relief programs.

Due to the effects of recession/depression, many more are unable to afford the basic necessities.  Some rural families that FDN serves were surviving on cat food (cheaper than pasta) until they found a pantry.  Many children ate only one nutritious meal a day—school lunch.  Seniors had to choose between paying for food, rent or medicine until they found a pantry.

Please help FDN survive, grow and serve by making a gift today.  (You can also give online at http://friendshipdonations.org.)  If you have any questions about the work of FDN, please feel free to contact at the e-mail or phone number above.

With our deepest appreciation,

Patricia Dutt, Director

Sara Pines, Founder

PS: We appeal to you to alleviate hunger and prevent up to 700,000 pounds of fresh food from going to the dump instead of to the hungry.  You can make a difference!

Are you able to help FDN/TSA? To date, funding is not available for 2010 expenses for the part-time director’s salary of $15,000.  This position is critical to allow the current director, who is unable to continue, to step down.  The annual budget for 2010 is projected to be $49,015.

During these critical financial times, the newly poor are losing jobs, shelter, food, health care and other basic needs.  More people than ever need food assistance.  FDN is a major conduit for channeling nutritious food, that would otherwise be wasted, to hunger programs and non-profits throughout Tompkins County and impoverished nearby areas.

Would you be willing to donate to FDN today?  Every dollar counts!