Author Archives: sammy05

Eagles Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave lent a big helping hand to an Eagles fan dealing with health issues. NBC10 was there as Javon delivered groceries to Joseph Andersen. NBC10’s Erin Coleman has the story.

Video generously provided by GT Media (IG: @GTVizuals)

View more videos on CFF’s YouTube channel

Feeding Hundreds of Philadelphians Is a Weekly Mission…

Essington Warehouse Feeds Community, Eliminates Food Waste

October 3, 2022, Philadelphia, PA – To better serve Delaware County and southern and western Philadelphia community partners, Caring for Friends has opened a food distribution center in Essington, Delaware County. The new location is open to community partners two days a week for produce, shelf-stable food, and protein pick-up. It also will host multiple freezers for volunteer visitors to pick up meals for homebound seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. About 52,000 individuals were considered food insecure in Delaware County in 2020, which equates to a little more than nine percent of the population.* The opening will create two full-time jobs, and currently hosts about six local nonprofits that save one-to-two hours of time, as well as hundreds of dollars on gas picking up food at this DelCo location instead of the CFF warehouse in the Northeast. Special thanks to Wakefern and the Burns’ Family Fresh Grocer supermarkets for donating two pallets of canned vegetables for partners picking up at the dedication and will be in attendance, including: St Paul AME, Word of God Community Church, Shorter AME, Chester Township, and the USO, Philadelphia Airport.

For more information, contact Stef Arck-Baynes at Caring for Friends at 917-710-1901

*Map the Meal Gap Survey, 2020

American Heritage Makes 400-Plus Meals for Caring for Friends

SOUP TO NUTZ

Jesus Calls Us to Care for the Poor as a Sign of Our Love

Lower Merion Football Players and Others Helping Feed Those in Need

Main Line Health Aims to Make Food Access Part of the Health Care Equation

August 3, 2022, Philadelphia, PA – Caring for Friends (CFF), the largest free meal provider sharing food and friendship in greater Philadelphia, is excited to welcome Matt Gambino as its Managing Director of Programs, Partners, and Volunteers. As inflation and the need for food skyrockets, Matt will work with his team to increase our partnerships with faith-based organizations, community groups, and individuals to make and distribute food to neighbors in the 5-county Philadelphia area facing hunger and isolation.

Matt employed his innovative business leadership in both print and online media during his more than 30-year career in journalism, most recently as Director and General Manager of CatholicPhilly.com, the news agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In this role, he earned awards as both a writer and editor.

Prior to that, Matt led editorial operations for community newspapers and websites; led a diverse editorial team for a successful start-up firm; and served in communications roles for a large nonprofit organization. He also successfully transitioned a legacy print newspaper into a start-up digital news platform in Philadelphia that continues to experience growth.

Originally from Norristown, Matt graduated from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and now lives with his wife and two daughters in Montgomery County.

“I am excited to begin this leadership role with Caring for Friends,” Gambino said. “It enables me to deepen my lifelong passion for building relationships with individuals and organizations in the diverse communities of Southeastern Pennsylvania that I know so well. I look forward to serving more fully the seniors and all people in need of our region with our partners and volunteers, as well as new friends committed to the mission of serving food and friendship.”

Caring for Friends is in dire need of volunteers to cook and deliver meals, as well as donations. Visit the website to learn more: https://caringforfriends.org/
To request an interview with Matt, or for more information, contact Stef Arck-Baynes at Stef@caringforfriends.org

Yardley Farmers Market Aiming To Address Food Security