Food insecurity continues to be an issue worldwide, including in the city of Philadelphia.
To help combat this ongoing issue, Memphis Street Academy (MSA), a charter school located in Port Richmond, partnered with Philadelphia City Councilmember Jim Harrity and Caring for Friends, a local nonprofit serving Greater Philadelphia, to launch the Wildcat Pantry: Neighbors Helping Neighbors, One Meal at a Time during the school’s annual back-to-school celebration on Thursday, Aug. 21.
The event featured free school supplies, food, entertainment and additional resources for neighbors in need. The focus of this year’s celebration, however, was the unveiling of the Wildcat Pantry.
“Access to nutritious food is a necessity, not a privilege,” said Harrity. “The Wildcat Pantry exemplifies the powerful results of collaboration between students, schools, and community partners in fostering mutual care. On behalf of myself and the Kensington Caucus, we are honored to support Memphis Street Academy and Caring for Friends in establishing this space, which nourishes both body and spirit. Special thanks to Steamfitters Local 420 for providing the refrigerators and freezers that make this work possible.”
The new food pantry will be run by students, for students, allowing them access to nutritious food. In addition, the pantry will serve as a community grocery store, providing local families access to fresh, nutritious food for their families, which remains critical as many struggle to access or retain SNAP benefits.
Students will also help prepare and deliver meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities every Friday.
According to Caring for Friends CEO Vince Schiavone, the pantry has been stocked with donations from businesses in Pennsylvania.
Schiavone also added, “It’s very important for kids to have access to nutritious food. This partnership allows kids to take home fresh fruits and vegetables without stigma and teaches them the importance of giving back.”
For more information on the Wildcat Panty or to enroll at MSA, visit ap-schools.org/Memphis-Street-Academy.
