Every year, we recognize National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 12-20) right before Thanksgiving. The timing is intentional. As many safely gather with families, we can also take time to think about those who do not have a safe place to call home or know when they will enjoy their next meal.
Philadelphia’s homeless service system has made significant progress. We’ve reduced street homelessness by investing in evidence-based supportive housing, added daytime services, and expanded homelessness prevention. We provide 24-hour-a-day outreach, and lowered barriers to entry into the homeless and treatment systems. Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Philadelphia nearly $9 Million to help end youth homelessness.
While we have accomplishments to celebrate, too many people continue to go without housing or food. In Philadelphia, about 21 percent of our neighbors go to bed hungry or face food insecurity.
While we know what works and could effectively end homelessness in Philadelphia, our resources are limited. That is why awareness weeks, advocacy days, and calls-to-action are so important. They give voice to the hope, urgency and possibility of making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.
What you can do
Here are four ways you can raise awareness and support those affected by hunger and homelessness right now.
- Attend one, or all, of the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week events listed below, and familiarize yourself with the resources and services available in Philadelphia.
- Join the national conversation on social media. Retweet posts by the organizations or events listed below. Create your own social media posts and use the hashtags #HHWEEK and #ShareYourTable.
- Share this blog post on your own Twitter and Facebook profiles.
- Volunteer and donate. Hunger and homeless serving organizations can simply do more when they have more resources. Resources equals people power and money.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2022 Events
St. John’s Hospice, Sunday Thanksgiving Dinner
November 20 (12 p.m. – 1 p.m.)
1221 Race St.
Members of the Philadelphia Knights of Columbus will once again serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal to hundreds of homeless men in Center City on November 20. For more about St. John’s Hospice, and how to get involved, go to: https://saintjohnshospice.org/
Compassion Food Truck
November 22 (1 p.m.)
F Street and Kensington Ave.
The Church of Christian Compassion and Keystone First are once again partnering to prepare, package and deliver Thanksgiving dinners to people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers will also provide Thanksgiving lunch out of the Compassion Food Truck at McPherson Square Park.
Operation Turkey
November 24 (8 a.m.- 12 p.m.)
The Common Place
5736 Chester Ave.
Pack or deliver hot meals for Philly families. For several years Operation Turkey has prepared and shipped out thousands of hot meals on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. This year, the goal is 55,000 meals across several states. For Philadelphia, the packing and shipping-out location will be at The Common Place, 58th Street and Chester Avenue. Sign up to volunteer online: https://www.operationturkey.com/volunteer/
Project HOME Thanksgiving meals
November 24, and after
1515 Fairmount Ave
Every year, Project HOME provides a Thanksgiving meal to all its residents. You can contribute to this effort by making a gift to sponsor a nutritious meal. For other ways to get involved with the Home of the Holidays program, which starts after Thanksgiving Day, email Project HOME.
Share Food Program
Ongoing
2901 W Hunting Park Ave.
Share Food Program welcomes food donations large and small. They also accept donations of PPE, paper products, diapers, and other household essentials. Call (215) 223-2220 or email Share Food Program for more information or to schedule a drop off.
Engage + Impact Initiative
November 12 (9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
1300 Hunting Park Ave.
This event engages unhoused Philadelphia residents with food, care packages, new clothing, and resources in the Kensington area, while also delivering grocery boxes to residents in North Philly and Kensington. Email Bella Virgi for more information.
JRA Food Packing and Distribution
November 13 (8:30 a.m. – 2p.m.)
10980 Dutton Rd.
The Jewish Relief Fund is looking for volunteers who can pack boxes of produce, and deliver them to community members in need. The opportunities take place at their Northeast Philadelphia warehouse.
Lutheran Settlement House Thanksgiving distribution
November 15, 19 (9 a.m. -3 p.m.)
1340 Frankford Ave.
Volunteer shifts include packing perishable items into bags, helping people sign in when they are picking up food, and helping them take it to their cars. Volunteer shifts may also include organizing and shifting pantry items and boxes. Email Meg Finely to volunteer, or call (215) 426-8610 to sign up to receive a Thanksgiving bag.
Feast of Justice Food Pantry Restocking
November 14 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
101 Tyson Ave (entrance is on Sackett St.)
Volunteer to restock shelves, provide assistance to guests while shopping, check them in and out, and provide overall support during grocery and food distribution. Computer skills, language skills, and the ability to lift boxes are a plus, but not required. Email Feast of Justice to sign up as an individual or as a group.
DAS Food Drive Drop-Off
November 18
6060 Ridge Ave.
Dynamic Advertising Solutions (DAS) will be hosting a non-perishable food drive drop off on November 18. For more information about what foods to donate, please contact DAS.
Chosen 300
November 12, 14, 16, 18, 19
1116 Spring Garden St. (Center City location)
November 14, 18
3959 Lancaster Ave. (West Philadelphia location)
Chosen 300 needs volunteers to serve at their indoor meal programs in Center City and West Philadelphia. For more information about hours and to volunteer, please visit: www.chosen300.org
Bethesda Project HH Week events
November 12 & 19 (4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
1630 South St.
To raise awareness, Bethesda Project will host a potsticker making workshop at the Taiwanese restaurant Bao-logy on November 12 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Can’t make the event on the 12th? No problem! Bethesda Project will also host a wonton making workshop at the same location on November 19 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the workshops average at $100 and are available online.
November 17 (12 p.m. – 1 p.m.)
Online
Lunch & Learn: Conversation Around Harm Reduction and Power Dynamics
All are welcome to join a presentation and discussion with Bethesda Project program staff surrounding their takeaways from the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference, which took place this past July in Washington, DC.
The conversation will focus on the importance of including individuals with lived expertise in organizational roles, acknowledging the complex role race plays in housing displacement, and acknowledging and including shelter occupants in decisions made about where they live. There will be time for thoughtful group discussion and questions.
OHS Grant Writing Workshop
November 17 (10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Hub of Hope
1401 Arch Street Lower Level – Suburban Station Concourse
Free meal providers are invited to join the Office of Homeless Services’ workshop on grant writing. The goal is to train meal provider staff and volunteers in finding grants for nonprofits. An expert from the Regional Foundation Center will share their expertise during this 1.5-hour training, covering the most important things meal providers need to know about finding grants.
Pie in the Sky
Order by November 18, pick up November 22
MANNA
420 North 20th St.
Order pies through MANNA’s annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. The organization, which brings food and aid to people at acute nutritional risk from life-threatening diseases, is selling a selection of pies. Varieties include berry, pumpkin, apple, pecan, sweet potato, and a chocolate-and-caramel signature cheesecake. Prices range from $35 to $50. Order pies online by November 18 Pick up is at one of 17 locations on November 22.
