Statement Of Need
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Statement of need
Food insecurity is a persistent and growing crisis in Philadelphia, with the city ranking among the highest in the United States for child hunger. According to Feeding America, more than 1 in 4 children in Philadelphia experiences food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to nutritious, sufficient meals necessary for healthy development. Many of these children rely on school meal programs, but during evenings, weekends, and school breaks, they face significant food gaps that put them at risk of malnutrition, poor academic performance, and long-term health issues.
The situation is even more severe in Philadelphia’s most underserved neighborhoods, including South, West, and the outskirts of the city, where food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food options—are prevalent. Families in these communities often lack grocery stores, fresh food markets, and reliable transportation, forcing them to depend on fast food or convenience store meals that are nutritionally inadequate. Without intervention, these children are at risk of chronic hunger, obesity, and diet-related illnesses, which can have lifelong consequences on their physical and cognitive development.
Currently, Andale Latino Grill On Wheels (Andale On Wheels) serves between 45 and 75 children per meal service at Police Athletic League (PAL) centers—safe spaces where underserved children engage in after-school programs, mentorship, and recreational activities. While this initiative has provided critical food support, the demand far exceeds our current capacity, leaving many children without access to the meals they need. Our mobile food service is flexible and effective, but to maximize our impact and reach more children, we require additional resources to increase meal production and secure a stable, long-term operational base. One of the most pressing challenges Andale On Wheels faces is the lack of a permanent vending location, which limits our ability to generate consistent revenue to support our free meal program.
Without a fixed spot, operations rely heavily on fundraising, grants, and unpredictable vendor permits, creating financial instability. To address this issue, Andale On Wheels seeks funding to establish a permanent food truck location near Temple University—a high-traffic area where revenue from food sales can directly fund free meal distribution to children in need.
By securing a permanent vending site and expanding meal production, Andale On Wheels will be able to:
1. Double the number of meals served weekly, ensuring that more children receive consistent, nutritious meals.
2. Reduce dependence on external fundraising by leveraging food sales as a self-sustaining revenue model.
3. Expand service areas beyond PAL centers, reaching more children in food-insecure communities.
4. Strengthen partnerships with schools, local businesses, and community organizations to increase our long-term impact.
The need for this expansion is urgent and necessary to combat food insecurity in Philadelphia. Investing in Andale On Wheels will not only provide life-changing meals to children in need but also create a scalable, financially sustainable solution to the city’s growing hunger crisis. Through this initiative, we can ensure that no child in Philadelphia goes hungry, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.