My name is Belinda Ashley. In 1998, when I was 19, I was in a shelter for 9 months. It was there, that I learned true self-reliance. Since then, I have never gone back as a resident. Three years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Mr. Obaid Kadwani and being introduced to his charity eyeBLINK and an event that at the time was called Pizza For the Hungry. It involved getting local pizza shops, stores, people, and entertainers to donate time, food, paper products, and money to throw pizza parties at shelters all across America. The event also hosts live music, which also helps lift the spirits of those who attend. Pizza for the Hungry was a HUGE success! Last year, the event underwent a name change—A Slice of Hope. I was there last year and will be there this year. The site that it was held at my first year and since then was the very shelter that I was once a resident. I felt like it was my time and way to give back to the very place that helped me to get on my feet and stand on my own! But there is something else that is special about this shelter. It is the only shelter that feeds dinner to its residents and people who are not residents 7 days a week. It is located on the dividing line between Philadelphia and Delaware County (Upper Darby.) Even though the residents there are all adults, when it serves the community, it serves everyone who comes and a lot of children are brought there for a meal. A Slice of Hope continues to hold parties here because it is a place near and dear to me and I asked that this continue to be one of the shelter sites.

I have a goal in mind, though. . .

                  This year, I want t to raise $5,000 dollars. For every dollar donated, you’ll be giving 2 slices to each person. 10,000 slices could feed a lot of people in a lot of shelters. I want to hold A Slice of Hope at the women and children’s shelters that my shelter is affiliated with and as many other women and children’s shelters as my page will give. Initially, I was unsure how to do this. However, Obaid found a way to set up a page where I can work towards my goal. If I could raise more than 5,000 that would be great! Aa child, I once spent time in a shelter and I know what that is like. Children in shelters rarely get to have parties. They usually have only their most basic needs fulfilled—somewhere warm, a place to shower and eat. People often forget that they are still children. In times such as this, the resources afforded to many shelters are becoming more and more scarce. Please donate what you can. All donations are tax deductible. For more information about this event, please feel free to visit www.asliceofhope.orgor it’s parent charity www.eyeblink.org.

Thank you.