Many holiday traditions are celebrated with gatherings that include food. Yet, over 200,000 of our Philadelphia neighbors struggle to provide food for their household. You can help make their holidays special, and help end hunger in Philadelphia.
Our city has a robust network of food pantries along with free food and meal sites; many of which need volunteers — at the holidays and throughout the year. They rely on both monetary and food donations to help sustain Philadelphians who need food.
If you’re looking for ways to help your neighbors the holiday season, consider these options:
- Donate money to Philabundance and Share Food Program. Their food distribution work supports hundreds of food sites across Philadelphia.
- Give to organizations that provide meals and other vital services to the unsheltered: SEAMAAC, Broad Street Ministry, Prevention Point, Muslims Serve.
- Check out the Coalition Against Hunger’s list of organizations that need volunteer and food donations.
- Contact these food sites directly and ask how you can support their efforts.
- Tell your friends and neighbors that phila.gov has a food map of food distribution sites across the City. Search by address to find the site closest to you.
Together, we can make sure every household has food for the holidays–and access to food all year long.
Check out these upcoming food distribution volunteer opportunities. To sign up or for more information, please contact the site coordinator.
| Zip Code | Site Name | Location & Times | Site Coordinator & Details |
| 19129 | Clara Barton School | 4600 Rose Hill St.
Monday, December 20, 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. |
Lara Akerman, 610-864-9634
Distribute 300 Philabundance produce boxes to school families. |
| 19120 | Iglesia Cristiana Avivamiento | 5500 Tabor Ave.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Claudia Londono, 215-219-2892
Outdoors. Sort, pack, and deliver food to cars. Contact site for more details about volunteer shifts. |
| 19120 | Katie’s Cupboard | 4860 N. Howard St.
Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. First Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (heavy lifting) |
Rachel Davis, 267-475-6966
Outdoors. Please dress for the weather, with gloves and a mask. Tasks include moving and stacking cases of food, packing and distributing bags of food. |
| 19129 | Share Food Program | 2901 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Saturday, December 18th |
See volunteer details and sign up at the links below:
Home Delivery Drivers (goal: 50 drivers) |
| 19140 | The Center for Returning Citizens | 3933 Germantown Ave.
Mondays-Thursdays: indoor shifts (1 person per shift), 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Fridays: outdoor shifts (2-4 people per shift), 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. (heavy lifting) or 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
Jondhi Harrell, 215-791-0645
jondhi.tcrchealingcenter@gmail.com Some shifts require heavy lifting. Warm clothes required for outdoor shifts. |
| 19142 | Revelation Philadelphia Ministry, Inc. | 7047 Buist Ave.
Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Pastor Gray, 267-901-5293 |
| 19143 | Hickman Temple Day Care
|
5001 Baltimore Ave.
First and third Mondays of the month, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Arlene Roberts, 267-815-5684
Outdoors, please wear warm clothing. Heavy lifting required. |
| 19144 | Creative Performing Arts of Philadelphia | 4945 Rubicam St.
First and third Mondays of the month, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Minister Dukes-El, 215-626-1314
Food Distribution. Some shifts require heavy lifting and unloading. |
| 19146 | Mount Hebron Baptist Church | 1419 Wharton St.
Monday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. –1 p.m. |
Barnita Huzzy, 267-441-6680
Outdoors. Heavy lifting required. |
| 19148 | SEAMAAC | Various times available at multiple locations. See sign up link for details. | Sign up for volunteer opportunities here |
| 19149 | Feast of Justice | 3101 Tyson Ave.
Various times available. See sign up link for details. |
Sign up for volunteer opportunities here |
| 19149 | OCCCDA | 900 E. Howell St. Building B
December 15 and 22: indoor food preparation; and distribution set-up that requires heaving lifting. December 16: outdoor food distribution December 23: outdoor food distribution at 6500 Castor Ave., M&T Bank parking lot |
Nancy Melendez, 267-388-0757 |
| 19153 | St. Paul AME Church | 8398 Lindbergh Blvd.
Fridays, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Joyce Jones, 267-593-9831
Requires heavy lifting and trash pick-up. |
