Growing Food Security WSFS CARES Foundation Donates $100,000 to Combat Rising Hunger
The WSFS CARES Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WSFS), has announced a significant $100,000 contribution to four regional food banks to combat the escalating food insecurity crisis affecting communities across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. This major donation comes at a time when demand for emergency food assistance is rising sharply due to inflation, higher living costs, and ongoing economic challenges faced by families and individuals throughout the tri-state region.
The Foundation’s latest round of grants will be distributed among four key nonprofit organizations that serve as pillars in the regional hunger relief network: Philabundance, which will receive $50,000; the Food Bank of Delaware, which will receive $25,000; and the Food Bank of South Jersey, which will also receive $25,000. In addition, Chester County Food Bank will receive $10,000 through Philabundance to support its operations and outreach programs.
Collectively, these four organizations play a crucial role in providing food assistance to hundreds of thousands of residents each year. Their services include food distribution to community pantries, operating mobile food programs, running school-based nutrition initiatives, and forming partnerships with local organizations that serve vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and low-income families.
Supporting Communities in a Time of Growing Need
The decision by the WSFS CARES Foundation to bolster its support for regional food banks underscores the organization’s long-standing commitment to addressing the root causes and effects of food insecurity. Rising grocery prices and limited access to affordable food options have put additional strain on households already struggling to make ends meet. In response, WSFS is leveraging both its financial resources and its network of community partnerships to ensure food banks have the support they need to continue meeting growing demand.
“Our nonprofit partners are on the frontlines of supporting some of the most vulnerable populations in our communities,” said Patrick J. Ward, Executive Vice President, Senior Advisor at WSFS Bank and Chairman of the WSFS CARES Foundation. “We recognize our responsibility to respond decisively during this challenging time. This $100,000 funding reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity across our communities.”
Ward emphasized that the donation is not just a financial gesture but part of a broader effort by WSFS to work collaboratively with community organizations to strengthen the safety net for those in need. The WSFS CARES Foundation has a long history of partnering with local nonprofits to address key social challenges, including hunger, homelessness, and financial literacy.
Food Banks Respond to Rising Demand
Each of the recipient organizations expressed deep gratitude for the Foundation’s timely support, noting that the need for food assistance continues to grow in 2025 as more households face economic instability.
Loree Jones-Brown, CEO of Philabundance, said the donation would make an immediate and meaningful impact. “We are grateful to the WSFS CARES Foundation for this contribution. It will help provide thousands of meals to families in need during challenging times,” she said. “The demand for food assistance continues to rise, and this support is truly making a difference.”
Philabundance, one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the region, works to provide emergency food supplies to communities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. The organization’s work has become even more critical as many local food pantries report increasing numbers of first-time visitors seeking assistance.
In Delaware, the Food Bank of Delaware is also feeling the effects of rising demand. Larry Haas, Chief Development Officer of the organization, highlighted how the WSFS CARES Foundation’s contribution will translate directly into tangible outcomes for the community. “The financial support from the WSFS CARES Foundation allows us to reach more individuals with 75,000 nutritious meals and vital resources,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to fighting hunger alongside us.”
Meanwhile, in southern New Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey continues to provide vital support to communities hit hardest by inflation and food shortages. Its President and CEO, Fred Wasiak, praised the partnership with WSFS as a model for how corporate and community collaboration can drive real change. “We’re deeply grateful to WSFS CARES Foundation for stepping up at this critical time,” Wasiak said. “This generous contribution will help us keep food moving through our network and ensure children, seniors, and individuals have access to the nourishment they need. Partnerships like this make it possible for us to respond quickly and effectively when our community needs us most.”
Additionally, Chester County Food Bank, which will receive $10,000 through Philabundance, will use the funds to expand its local food distribution and outreach efforts. The organization focuses on providing fresh produce, nutrition education, and community gardening programs that empower residents to maintain healthy diets even under financial constraints.
Continuing the Fight Against Hunger
The $100,000 donation builds upon WSFS Bank’s broader community initiatives and long-term commitment to hunger relief. Each year, WSFS hosts a company-wide food drive to collect nonperishable items and raise awareness about food insecurity. The current campaign supports Sharing Excess and the Sunday Breakfast Mission, two organizations that play key roles in feeding people experiencing homelessness and food instability. Members of the public are invited to participate by dropping off nonperishable food donations at any WSFS banking office through the end of the year.
In addition to financial and material contributions, WSFS employees—known internally as “Associates”—are actively involved in volunteering at food banks, food pantries, and community kitchens throughout the region. These volunteer efforts not only help distribute food but also foster stronger connections between the bank and the communities it serves.
“Supporting our neighbors goes beyond writing a check,” Ward added. “It’s about being physically present, giving our time, and using our collective resources to make a difference where it matters most. The dedication of our Associates to volunteerism is a reflection of WSFS’s core values and our belief in service as a way of life.”
A Legacy of Community Investment
Founded in 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the oldest and most respected financial institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through the WSFS CARES Foundation, the bank channels millions of dollars annually into community programs focused on education, workforce development, affordable housing, and economic empowerment. Its philanthropic mission is grounded in the belief that healthy, thriving communities are essential to long-term regional prosperity.
In recent years, the Foundation has expanded its outreach to address urgent community needs, including pandemic-related hunger relief and economic recovery programs. The latest food bank donation is part of that ongoing strategy to strengthen local infrastructure and ensure that no family goes hungry.
As food insecurity continues to affect families across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, the WSFS CARES Foundation’s contribution serves as a reminder that collective action—between corporations, nonprofits, and community members—can make a profound impact. By combining financial support, volunteerism, and partnerships, WSFS is helping to build a more resilient and equitable future for all.
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