Newsletter | November 2025
Healthy Food, Shared with Purpose
At Small Things, we’re proud to distribute a lot of food—more than 3.6 million pounds in 2024 alone. But it’s not just about quantity. Each week, we provide 30,000 pounds of fresh produce, ensuring our neighbors receive not only enough food but also the kind of food that fuels good health.
Still, healthy food is only helpful if people know what to do with it. Imagine receiving passion fruit or rutabagas for the first time—what would you make?
That’s where the PA Healthy Pantry Initiative comes in. This program, led by Philabundance in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and the PA Department of Health, supports pantries in helping shoppers make the most of nutritious foods.
Through tastings, cooking demonstrations, recipes, and classes, participating pantries empower their communities with the knowledge to prepare and enjoy fresh, healthy ingredients. Shelf tags highlight heart-healthy options or foods high in fiber, making it easier for shoppers to make informed choices.
At Small Things, we believe that access to food should come with the tools to thrive. Thanks to partners like the PA Healthy Pantry Initiative, we’re making that vision a reality.
Drexel Tech Helps Small Things Run Smarter
We’re sending a huge thank you to TechServe at Drexel University, which recently donated six laptops and three monitors to Small Things!
Tony Tucker, our Director of IT and Finance, gratefully received the equipment and quickly reconfigured the laptops for our team. Staff at each of our direct-service food pantries now use these devices Drexel University, helping us register shoppers and capture critical data that informs everything from how we serve to how we grow.
Technology is a powerful tool in the fight against hunger—and thanks to Drexel, we’re better equipped to meet the needs of our neighbors.
Thank you, Drexel University, for powering our mission in such a tangible way!
Farewell, Peyton – and Congratulations!
Peyton dressed as the Easter Bunny at the Hunting Park Easter Celebration
We’re sending our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to our amazing social work intern, Peyton.
Peyton joined Small Things during the 2024–2025 school year while completing her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at LaSalle University. She recently graduated and is now headed to pursue her master’s in Social Work this fall—and we couldn’t be more proud.
During her time with us, Peyton gained hands-on experience at all three of our direct-service food pantries in Fairhill, Hunting Park, and Center City. She also created a comprehensive resource book of local services to help our neighbors move out of poverty—an effort that will continue to support our community long after her internship ends.
Oh, and she was also the Easter Bunny at our Hunting Park Easter Celebration—because that’s just the kind of person Peyton is: dedicated, kind, and always ready to pitch in.
Thank you, Peyton. We wish you all the best in this next chapter!
