The Center for Hunger-Free Communities concluded operations at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, effective June 1, 2026. This decision followed ongoing conversations with Drexel leadership and thoughtful planning about how best align the Center's work with the evolving landscape, identity and future vision.

Together with community members and partners, the Center advanced people-centered solutions to food and economic insecurity, community-driven research, healing-centered practice, and economic justice through its major projects: the Building Wealth and Health Network, Witnesses to Hunger, Children’s HealthWatch, and the EAT Café.

Together, the Center and its community:

• Published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 55 policy and research briefs on issues including food insecurity, SNAP, TANF, discrimination, minimum wage, and paid family leave
• Advanced community member-led advocacy through testimony, media interviews, op-eds, and more than 25 photo exhibits with the nationally recognized Witnesses to Hunger
• Supported food security, dignity, and community connection for hundreds of families through meals provided at the EAT Café and summer meals programming
• Connected with more than 3,000 Building Wealth and Health Network members and their families at 12 partner sites in strengthening economic stability, health, and wellbeing
• Trained dozens of organizations in trauma-informed, healing-centered practices to support community healing
• Empowered community members to serve as advocates and peer leaders through Witness to Hunger, the Network Advisory Council and Network Nation

Mission

Cultivate community spaces that collectively promote healing and advance economic justice

The Center achieved this through:

• Partnering with people who are most affected by trauma and oppression to advocate for policy change
• Challenging current political, social, and economic systems with peer support and radical real-life education
• Building generational wealth and expanding access to resources
• Welcoming vulnerability and sharing joy to build community power

Vision

A healthier and more compassionate world where individuals and communities have access to the resources to thrive