Archdiocesan food giveaway draws hundreds amid bitter cold
Religious of the Assumption Sister Gertrude Borres, director of the archdiocesan Office for the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, gathers fresh bread for her ministry s clients at a Jan. 30 food distribution hosted by archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services near the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. (Gina Christian)
By Gina Christian • Posted February 2, 2021
Archdiocesan staff and volunteers braved last weekend’s freezing temperatures and icy winds to provide hundreds of meals to area families hard hit by COVID.
The Jan. 30 food distribution which took place in the parking lot of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, located behind the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul was sponsored by Nutritional Development Services (NDS).
Catholic Charities Appeal gives ‘joy, hope and strength,’ says archbishop
Archbishop Nelson Pérez speaks at a Jan. 25 press conference announcing the launch of the 2021 Catholic Charities Appeal, whose $12.5 million goal will assist an array of outreaches whose social and pastoral services are more needed than ever due to the COVID pandemic. (Photo by Sarah Webb)
By Gina Christian • Posted January 25, 2021
Archbishop Nelson Pérez launched the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s most important annual fundraising initiative Jan. 25, asking faithful to “look deep into (their) hearts” to aid “those who have been so deeply affected by COVID.”
During a virtual press conference, the archbishop said the 2021 Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) goal of $12.5 million will benefit hundreds of thousands living in the five-county area, providing “joy, hope and strength” through an array of social and pastoral assistance.
Delco families get helping hand for their holiday tables
(Left to right) Donna Fanelli, Jean Falk and Joseph Briscella of archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services display some of the items the agency distributed to Chester area families Dec. 19 as part of ongoing efforts to counter COVID-related food insecurity. (Photo by Gina Christian)
By Gina Christian • Posted December 31, 2020
Some 500 Chester-area families enjoyed healthy holiday meals, thanks to a recent food distribution event organized by archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services (NDS).
The Dec. 19 giveaway drew a steady stream of cars and pedestrians to the parking lot of the Chester Community Charter School, where boxed portions were handed out in a grab-and-go format by NDS staff and volunteers.
Racer, tech firm donate $50K – and a challenge – to archdiocesan hunger relief agency
Technology entrepreneur and licensed racer John McAleer said his company, Convergence Acceleration Solutions (CAS) Group, will donate $50,000 while matching gifts up to another $50,000 to archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services to counter COVID-related food insecurity. (CAS Group/Facebook)
By Gina Christian • Posted December 23, 2020
A race car driver and technology entrepreneur has teamed up with the Philadelphia Archdiocese to bring food insecurity to the finish line.
With an estimated 50 million U.S. residents now at risk for pandemic-related hunger, “what better way to help with that than food?” said John McAleer, founder and CEO of Convergence Acceleration Solutions (CAS) Group.
West Phila. parish makes Christmas bright for area families
Babette Henry-Taylor, April Robertson, and Carla Caple-Petty of St. Cyprian Parish in Philadelphia prepare to distribute Christmas gifts to area families, Dec. 15. The initiative is one of several parish outreaches that serve the community year-round. (Photo by Gina Christian)
Gina Christian • Posted December 17, 2020
A West Philadelphia parish is leading the way in making Christmas amid COVID brighter for local families.
Earlier this week, staff and volunteers from St. Cyprian Parish in Philadelphia began distributing bags of wrapped gifts for all ages, including shirts, slacks, pajamas, winter socks, hair ornaments, designer-label children’s clothing – and even a candy-apple-red BMX bicycle.