Since Pandemic days, you may have utilized one of the free resource hubs located around Philadelphia. These city-funded public health centers started with immediate needs, like masks and COVID-19 tests. They flourished into community centers, with baby equipment, hand sanitizer and wipes, and harm reduction items like Narcan and drug test strips.
In December 2025, a central resource hub in South Philly closed. Now, due to the discontinuing of federal COVID-era health grants to Philly, to the tune of $30 million to $50 million, the public health department wants to close the other hubs by June 2026.
The four remaining hubs, across West Philly, North Philly, Southwest and the 1700 block of South Street, provide STI tests, condoms, and healthy food items in areas that are "medically underserved," meaning access to both preventative and emergency healthcare falls short. The area near the North hub, in particular, sits near neighborhoods identified as having the greatest need for primary care in the city.
What you can do right now.
A Change.org petition lists the city policy makers who will decide the fate of the hubs. Become familiar with these names, their offices and contact information.
You can reach out to the Department of Health Director of Disease Control, Jessica Caum, at jessica.caum@phila.gov or (215) 685-6740. Or, Daniel Teixeira da Silva, M.D., Department of Health Director of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at daniel.tdasilva@phila.gov or (215) 686-5196.
You can become familiar with Board of Health discussions by reading past meeting minutes and keeping an eye out for the next meeting.