Former First Lady Michelle Obama has collaborated with former US President Michelle Obama (Michelle Obama), thousands of Philadelphia families will soon receive food parcels Build a healthier American partnership (PHA).

Obama announced via Twitter on Tuesday that her company Higher Ground Productions and PHA will join forces with Philabundance to distribute 240,000 meals to 5,000 food-insecure families in the city in August. With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating food insecurity in Philadelphia, the additional meals “come just in time.” Loree D. Jones says, CEO of Philabundance.

According to Philabundance, in July 2020, demand in areas of the city traditionally fighting food insecurity increased by 50% to 60%. Philadelphia TribuneThe organization is expected to distribute an average of 2.25 million pounds of food per month through its network of 350 partner agencies, compared with an average of 1.25 million pounds per month before the pandemic.

The initiative will target communities with the highest levels of child poverty, such as Anne E. Casey Foundation, According to Philabundance’s press release. One-third of families in the emergency department of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) report food insecurity, said Madeleine Bell, president and chief executive officer of the hospital. CHOP’s mission is to study the impact of the “Passing Love” campaign in Philadelphia and other food-receiving cities (including Atlanta, Cleveland, and Detroit). The researchers are expected to publish a report next spring explaining their findings.

“Nearly one-fifth of Philadelphians don’t have enough healthy food to lead a healthy lifestyle,” Bell added. “…Although we have provided many programs to address child hunger and food insecurity in Philadelphia, this effort provides us with a unique opportunity to join this partnership and help families in our community resolve The issue of food insecurity.”

In addition to providing much-needed relief for food-insecure families, the “Passing Love” initiative also hopes to teach families new cooking skills. The meal package is inspired by “Waffle + Mochi,” Netflix’s children’s cooking series, the former first lady debuted in March.

“When we considered cities that might be important partners for our’passing love’ activities, we realized that there is something better than a city of brotherly love,” Obama says.