On Jan. 20, communities across the Philadelphia region will join with others around the country to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On this National Day of Service, and the days following, build on Dr. King’s legacy by volunteering your time and talents to strengthen our communities and serve our brothers and sisters in need.
Volunteer at a Catholic Social Services’ Family Service Center
Located in five communities within the archdiocese, Family Service Centers are the first point of contact for individuals, families, and parishes when they seek assistance from Catholic Social Services (CSS). Services can include food and diaper pantries, prenatal and parenting support, financial support, and connection to public benefits and other resources that help to remove barriers to a healthy family life. Located at the Delaware County Family Service Center, the Chester City Coffee Club welcomes volunteers to assist with meal distribution. The center also has volunteer opportunities including data entry, sorting and shelving clothes, assisting walk-in requests, hall monitoring, scheduling showers, and laundry services. Contact Camille Crane, cacrane@chs-adphila.org to learn more about volunteering at the center. At Northeast Family Service Center, volunteers are always needed in their food cupboard. The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. To learn more contact Becky Thompson, rthompson@chs-adphila.org.
Host a collection drive in your community for Nutritional Development Services
Nutritional Development Services’ (NDS) Community Food Program supports a network of 50 food cupboards including five food cupboards operated by CSS, five soup kitchens, and numerous community outreach programs. Throughout the year, NDS hosts several different collection drives to benefit individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurity throughout the five-county region. From now until Friday, February 7, NDS is collecting baby formula for new and expecting mothers in need and their families. To learn more or to get your formula drive started, contact Denise Hopkins, dhopkins@ndsarch.org.
Contribute financially
Do you want to give back but do not have the time to volunteer? Consider making a financial gift that can provide necessary support for those in need. The Archbishop’s Benefit for Children (ABC) is a year-round fundraising initiative that provides vital support for CSS programs designed to care for children and young people in need throughout the Philadelphia region. Your gift can provide help and create hope for thousands of children each year, including children with disabilities, at-risk children, and dependent or court-adjudicated youth. The Catholic Charities Appeal is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s single largest annual fundraising initiative, benefitting nearly 1 million people each year through countless charitable service organizations and ministries throughout the five-county region. Contributions provide support to CSS, children attending archdiocesan schools of special education, mission parishes, evangelization efforts, and retired and infirmed priests.
Share your skills and talents
As part of its continuum of care to older adults, Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS) operates four senior community centers throughout Philadelphia. CHCS provides a wide range of volunteer opportunities including guiding and engaging older adults to experience and learn new skills such as an iPad coach, art teacher, gardening companion, and more. In Montgomery County, Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm welcomes individuals passionate about farming to spend some time volunteering their skills at the Community Farm. Help the Martha’s team build out the farm and plant, pick, and pack everything grown. Newcomers within the jurisdiction of the USCIS Philadelphia District Office and the Philadelphia Immigration Court can access comprehensive, high quality, low-cost Immigration Legal Services and citizenship classes through CSS’ Immigration Legal Services team. Use your bilingual skills to interpret for their clients on the phone or at a USCIS interview.
For additional ways to get involved and give back throughout the year, consider visiting places such as Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where there are even more opportunities to donate or to volunteer.
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