Each September, Hunger Action Month, spearheaded by Feeding America, brings national attention to the millions of individuals and families facing food insecurity. The observance serves as a reminder that hunger remains one of the most persistent challenges in communities across the country and that addressing it requires year-round commitment, awareness, and action.
For 2024 Invest in Others Emerging Impact Award recipient Derek Fiorenza, Hunger Action Month represents something deeply personal: standing in solidarity with people experiencing hunger and treating them not as statistics, but as human beings deserving of dignity, compassion, and support.
Since being recognized by Invest in Others, Fiorenza has continued to expand the impact of Fiorenza’s Food For Friends (F4), the nonprofit organization he founded in 2011 to connect sources of surplus food with organizations serving people in need. While the mission remains unchanged, to create a world without hunger, the organization has significantly broadened its reach and engagement efforts.
“The core mission has remained the same,” says Fiorenza. “We continue to focus on creating hunger awareness, with food rescue and food drives serving as our primary vehicles for making an impact.”
Since 2024, F4 has strengthened its educational and awareness initiatives through social media content, newsletters, and research-driven storytelling that highlights hunger issues both locally and globally. The organization has also expanded several programs designed to engage volunteers and increase food access, including its food recovery efforts, community food drives, volunteer driver network, and a growing casserole cooking program that prepares meals for local shelters.
The results have been substantial. F4 has now helped provide more than 11 million pounds of food to communities in need, equivalent to nearly 10 million meals. Through partnerships with businesses, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations, the organization continues to rescue food that would otherwise go to waste while helping address persistent food insecurity throughout Philadelphia and beyond.
Despite this progress, Fiorenza believes the need remains significant.
“The need continues to rise, but there appears to be a lot more awareness,” he says. “Food waste is a big issue, and many organizations are working to address it. But the conversation must also include providing healthy meals and serving people with love and compassion.”
One of the most encouraging developments has been the growth of volunteer engagement. New initiatives, including weekend food rescue drivers and cooking programs, have attracted individuals looking for meaningful ways to contribute to the fight against hunger.
While F4’s direct impact continues to grow, Fiorenza’s vision has expanded beyond food rescue alone. Today, he is increasingly focused on education and community empowerment as essential components of a long-term solution.
“The goal is to create a world without hunger. That hasn’t changed,” he says. “But the effort is expanding into an awareness campaign that inspires more people to volunteer with local food banks and shelters and support them throughout the year.”
His approach reflects a belief that lasting change happens when communities become invested in caring for their neighbors. Through podcasts, newsletters, interviews with local food pantry leaders, donors, and volunteers, Fiorenza hopes to shine a brighter light on hunger and food insecurity both domestically and abroad.
That mission is fueled by a deeply personal sense of purpose.
“I feel called to do something with my life to help alleviate the suffering of others,” he says. “I can’t sit on the sidelines while others are in pain.”
As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Summit Group Retirement Planners, Fiorenza credits his experience as a financial advisor with shaping his leadership philosophy.
“Strive to live with humility, awareness, and be a servant leader,” he says. “Open your eyes to the people around you who are hurting.”
Looking ahead, F4’s priorities for the next 12 to 18 months include expanding its podcast and newsletter audiences, increasing public engagement around hunger awareness, and growing programs that directly serve individuals and families in need.
As Hunger Action Month reminds us, ending hunger is not the responsibility of a single organization, it requires collective action. If Fiorenza could ask the public to take one step this September, it would be simple:
“Support your local food pantry or shelter year-round, not just during the holidays or during Hunger Action Month.”
For Fiorenza, creating a world without hunger remains a lifelong mission. And with every meal served, volunteer engaged, and conversation sparked, Fiorenza’s Food For Friends moves one step closer to that goal.
