Posted August 17, 2017

After hearing her pastor talk about helping the needy in Philadelphia, teenager Alexa Baldon organized other young people in her Northeast Philadelphia parish’s youth group to run a food drive for Aid for Friends, which delivers meals to senior shut-ins in the region. They packaged nutritionally balanced breakfast bags and friendly letters for the recipients on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • From left, Evelyn Kuntz, Mikaela Trajano and Miko Trajano write personal notes to be placed in the bags of the recipients.

  • Cindy Luu

  • Kiara DeVore spent one of her last days before heading off to college volunteering at St. William Church.

  • Alexa Baldon dedicated a month collecting food, a weekend speaking at St. William’s Masses and several days with a table at the church collecting food and money for more items needed for the parish’s youths to make balanced meals for the bags.

  • From left, Mikaela Trajano, Armani Perez and Imelda Ornedo work together to get bags packed with not just food but notes for those in need.

  • Gemma Baldon, whose daughter Alexa organized the event, participates in filling bags.

  • At right Father Al Concha, pastor of St. William’s, checks out the messages volunteers are writing for those who will receive the bags of food.

  • Melanie Alvarado places fruit cups in the assembly line at St. William Church.

  • Jeremiah Baldon preps a large box to transport the filled bags.

  • Alma Ornedo hands her son Jerico a completed bag to pack in the box.

  • Alexa Baldon packs bags.

  • Alexa Baldon organized the event for youth to help others after hearing her pastor speak of so many people in need.

  • Marcus Baldon