Earlier in the year I covered small, independent mutual aid groups that are not only helping people who need food, but bringing to light the understanding that food should be available to everyone, all the time, not just when SNAP is on hold.

These groups run on community collaboration. There are no requirements to be "in need" to accept food from them, and anyone can volunteer. For example, other than food, you might:

• Repair community fridges
• Clean out pantries and restock a fridge
• Collect unused toothbrushes, combs and other hygiene items from flights or hotels to donate
• Collect unused take-out utensils from neighbors to pass out with food
• Drive a food donation to a person who can't leave their home
  
  

Looking for mutual aid groups in Philly that provide food? Here are a few:

• CARP: Community Action Relief Project in Kensington
• Northwest Mutual Aid Collective provides home grocery delivery in the 19144, 19119, 19129, 19138, and 19128 zip codes.
• Food Not Bombs and South Philly Punks with Lunch provide food and hygiene items in South Philly:
  • Mifflin Square Park on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Broad + Snyder Streets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Homies Helping Homies provides food at Wharton Square Park Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• The People's Kitchen at 1149 South 9th Street in the Italian Market, provides daily meals in their fridge.
• The Everywhere Project provides essentials at...
  • Love Park in Center City on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Kensington at 1810 E. Clearfield Street on Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
• South Philly Community Fridge has pantry and fridge locations at:
  • The BOK Building: 1902 S 9th Street
  • The People's Kitchen: 1149 S 9th Street in the Italian Market
  • Mifflin Square Park: 516 Wolf Street
  • Porco's: 1100 S 22nd Street
  • Growing Together Garden: 2550 Reed Street
  • LUHV Vegan Bistro: 1840 Ellsworth Street
  • Good Shepherd PENN: 1845 South Street
• Germantown Community Fridge has two locations:
  • 20 West Armat Street
  • 19 East High Street
• Friend's Pantry at the Arch Meeting House in Old City
• Mama-Tee has fridge locations at:
  • NLNA at 700 N 3rd Street in Northern Liberties
  • YMCA:  1400 N Broad Street in North Philly 
  • St. Chris Hospital For Children at  160 E. Erie Avenue in North Philly
  • Opportunity Towers I & II: 1717 West Hunting Park Avenue in Nicetown
  • Castellino's Italian Market at 1255 E. Palmer Street in Fishtown
  • Alchemy Hair Lab at  2401 E ast Letterly Street in Kensington
  • Caribe Towers at 3231 N 2nd Street in Fairhill
  • Opportunity Towers III at 5524 Haverford Avenue in West Philly
  • Hue Boba Cafe at 4600 Woodland Avenue in West Philly
• East Falls Community Fridge is filled by neighbors at 3507 Midvale Avenue
• Umoja Community Fridge in North Philly is at 2200 W Jefferson Street at Peace Park
• The Sunday Love Project's Greater Goods Storefront is at 3200 Kensington Avenue and has food and basic items, plus some kid's goods.

Food kitchens need more than just food donations. From appliance repair to driving, save this checklist of how to help. And for invites to free civic events and discussions, sign up for email alerts.