# The Platia > Civic trainings, volunteering and harm reduction newsroom in Philadelphia. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Platia Events Calendar URL: https://www.theplatia.com/about/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T13:19:43.000Z The Platia puts the power back in the hands of the community through free and low-cost civic trainings and activities in Philadelphia. At these "live newsrooms" you might write letters to incarcerated people while learning about the prison system, or craft charm bracelets while learning deescalation techniques. At Platia live newsrooms you'll meet mutual aid groups that will inspire you and help you chart the course of where your skills can build a better neighborhood. [You can read about our first 6 months here](https://www.theplatia.com/the-platia-2025-impact-report/). *All donations go to certified trainers and partnering mutual aid groups.* I am supported by a fiscal sponsorship through the Tiny News Collective, a group of micro newsrooms aiming to improve their communities. ### Upcoming Events in 2026 - February 4: Harm reduction creatives supper club, donating books to Books Through Bars. Email for invite. - February 15: Make a winter weather kit with The Everywhere Project. [Sign up here](https://www.everywhereproject.org/event-details-registration/winter-weather-kits-with-the-platia?media%5Fid=3813900156601720103%5F63402386156&media%5Fauthor%5Fid=63402386156&utm%5Fsource=ig%5Ftext%5Fpost%5Fpermalink). - February 24: Low-cost CPR and first aid discussion with Maisy's Meeting House. [Sign up here](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/schedule/2a4de86c/category/Other%2520Clubhouse%2520Events?ref=theplatia.com). - March 3: Overdose prevention training with Punks with Lunch. [Signup here.](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/schedule/2a4de86c/?appointmentTypeIds[]=80194495&ref=theplatia.com) - April 19: Dark Side Burlesque test strip event. Come learn how to use drug testing strips while watching people strip. [Learn all about it at this link](https://www.theplatia.com/you-can-get-free-drug-testing-strips-and-hang-out-with-me/). - April 25: Block Party with Block2Block at Prevention Point. We'll be grilling, giving haircuts and hygiene packs, and listening to music. [Here's a list of hygiene items we need to make the event a success](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38A39QINSCOWJ?ref%5F=wl%5Fshare&ref=theplatia.com). - June 13 & 14: Learn about urban edible gardens with The Platia at the Society Hill Gardens Tour. Get free clippings for your own garden, iced tea with fresh mint, and pamphlets on how to donate your own produce to the community. - June 27: **South Philadelphia Community Market** at The East Passyunk Community Rec Center (1025 Mifflin St.). I'll be teaching "acts of journalism" like how to file Right-To-Know requests, identifying misinformation and fact checking. - July 7-9: The Platia goes to Minneapolis to talk civic news and harm reduction with [SRCCON](https://srccon.org/?ref=theplatia.com). If you're in the area, say hi! - **Summer Friday Picnics**: Join The Platia and other mutual aid groups on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park for a free food picnic of reclaimed fruit and vegetables, breads, cakes and bagels, and hot dogs fresh off the grill. We'll do Narcan trainings and talk about public health supplies. Every Friday through August. [Message me to RSVP](https://www.instagram.com/travelinganna/?ref=theplatia.com). ### Thanks for reading our zine! URL: https://www.theplatia.com/zine/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T13:56:22.000Z If you read *How To Help Your Neighbors* and are looking for more information, you're in the right place. The Platia is a tiny newsroom that treats information as harm reduction, and helps citizens take care of their communities. Here's more information similar to what you read in the guide: [Where to find (and volunteer) with free food in Philly](https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups/) [Where to find free Narcan in South Philly](https://www.theplatia.com/find-narcan-in-philly/) [A checklist to look at before you donate clothing](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-donate-clothing-checklist/) [How to file a Right To Know request for public records about your community](https://www.theplatia.com/how-you-can-file-a-right-to-know-request/) After reporting in newsrooms for 20 years, The Platia is my project to give that knowledge back to the community. I am fiscally sponsored by The Tiny News Collective and sustain on members, donations and grants. Every month I send an email of free food and civic events, and where to volunteer. Your support, even a free newsletter signup, means the world. ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism for people who want to be part of the solution. Volunteer with mutual aid efforts and learn harm reduction, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Posts ### One small thing you can do today, plus fall volunteering and community events URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-fall-volunteering-and-community-events/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T14:07:24.000Z As a certified Spooky Girl, fall is my favorite time of year. It’s for letting go of what doesn’t serve you to build up strength for the next chapter. It’s for beautiful, [jewel-toned root veggies](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-after-hours-farmers-market/). It’s for spending time in cemeteries, which used to be community meeting grounds ([Dolly said it best](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcgwQcpowyq/?ref=theplatia.com)). The milder weather is a great time to get out and meet new people at civic events. But I want to take a step back with just one small thing you can do today that costs zero money but makes a huge impact. **Ask a neighbor their name.** Only [26% of US adults say they know their neighbors' names](https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/strangers-next-door-the-decline-of-neighborhood-socializing-and-the-class-divide-in-belonging/?ref=theplatia.com). This creates individualism and isolation, and makes communities of “me,” not “we.” And while we are in a loneliness epidemic, those [feelings of loneliness can actually encourage people to retreat](https://www.theplatia.com/block-parties-can-reduce-fear-heres-how-to-throw-one-in-philly/) rather than connect. A simple way to start a conversation is to identify something you like about your neighbor or their home to initiate a good will discussion. That could look like, “I was just admiring your flowers. Remind me your name? I’m Annemarie.” Or in an apartment complex elevator, “That color looks great on you. Sorry, what was your name again?” This may seem like a nothing step toward community, but a name personifies people and builds connection. *If you try this, let me know how it goes for you*. **A few more things before the calendar.** I'm building The Platia in the open because I don't want to make the errors I made in my 20 years in Big Media. Every month I put a wrap-up on Threads. [Here's the August summary](https://www.threads.com/share/FLYtQmkO%5F/?ref=theplatia.com) and as always, I welcome tips and thoughts! Finally, the Sphera Network has a documentary about young people moving back to the mountains of Greece to build out sustainable communities. You might know, The Platia name and inspiration comes from the Zagori village of Petra, where this kind of neighborhood care is central to the living experience. Check that series from Sphera, an indie Euro news provider. ## **Philadelphia Mutual Aid Volunteer Calendar: September 2026** This calendar lists Philadelphia volunteer opportunities related to food distribution and community health. It includes mostly organizations in South Philadelphia, with some in West Philly and Kensington. Because mutual aid moves fast, please double check with each organization before you show up, for your own safety! I've added a pumpkin emoji to non-volunteering events. *I am out every single Friday at Mifflin Park with Punks With Lunch and Food Not Bombs. If you’re looking for a Narcan training or kit-making session, come out with us! And thank you to all the new folks who showed up the past few weeks! Everyone has been lovely!* ### **Wednesday, September 2** **The Everywhere Project** has **LOVE Park outreach from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m every Wednesday.** Setup begins around **6:45 p.m. at 15th Street and JFK Boulevard**. [Event and RSVP information](https://www.everywhereproject.org/event-details-registration/love-park-outreach-2026-2026-09-02-19-30?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Thursday, September 3** **Share Food Program** has a **Senior Food Box Packing** shift from **9 a.m. to noon** at **3111 W. Allegheny Ave.** Volunteers pack, quality-check, tape and stack food boxes for seniors.[ Registration](https://secure.everyaction.com/p/uuSQ12ObiU2Yk5wClbr0Gw2?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Friday, September 4** **Punks with Lunch** has its recurring Friday outreach from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park**, using the Wolf Street side of the park. Come and ask for me and we will also provide Narcan and other health items for you to take home. 🎃 **Step Outside Show** is hosting a free artist talk session from 6 to 9 p.m. under Suburban Station at their space, Platform X. Step Outside is a non-profit artist group, and though the event is free, you can buy art or donate to support them. [Get more information here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcvnMNOEQ0W/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com). ### **Saturday, September 5** **Homies Helping Homies** has a Saturday intake operation for rescuing and sorting food. Its garage is at **2400 S. 24th St.** Confirm the current volunteer shift through its sign-up system before attending.[ Homies Helping Homies](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Sunday, September 8** **Punks with Lunch** has a weekly harm reduction distribution at **Broad and Snyder from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Ask for Jess and tell her The Platia sent you.** ### **Monday, September 7** 🎃 **Plant and People** on Lancaster Ave is giving away **free Black history books and plants** to teachers and students from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is free, but you must register. Plant and People have a handful of wonderful free events this month, and they are part of the Philly Plant Crawl. [Find out more here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcui8fRxTGL/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Tuesday, September 8** **Greater Goods**, operated by the Sunday Love Project at **3200 Kensington Ave**, is open to the public from **9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.** Tuesday through Friday, and run by volunteers**.** The closest SEPTA station is **Allegheny Station on the Market-Frankford Line**. Volunteer availability should be confirmed here:[ Greater Goods information](https://sundaylove.org/services?ref=theplatia.com). *And if you love the mission of Greater Goods but can’t get out there to help, we’re celebrating founder Margaux Murphy this year by donating to Sunday Love Project!* [*Click here for more info*](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcQTTWuFCxZ/?ref=theplatia.com)*.* ### **Wednesday, September 9** **South Philly Punks with Lunch** operates its weekly harm-reduction and food distribution from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m.** at the **northeast corner of Broad Street and Snyder Avenue**. The closest SEPTA connection is **Snyder Station on the Broad Street Line**. Ask for Jess and tell her The Platia sent you. ### **Thursday, September 10** **Books Through Bars** hosts returning volunteers who have completed orientation on Thursday evenings from **6:30 to 8:30 p.m.** at **4722 Baltimore Ave.** New volunteers must complete an orientation first, where you learn to categorize and send the books through the prison system.[ Volunteer information](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Friday, September 11** **Punks with Lunch** has its recurring Friday outreach from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park**, using the Wolf Street side of the park. Come and ask for me and we will also provide Narcan and other health items for you to take home. ### **Saturday, September 12** **Sharing Excess** has a West Philadelphia pop-up food distribution at **5200 Larchwood Ave.** Find[ registration](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/west-philly-pop-up-food-distribution?ref=theplatia.com) here. ### **Sunday, September 13** **Philly Unknown** accepts volunteers for outreach, compassion-bag preparation and more at its **Ruth Street Garden**. Contact them before attending: [Philly Unknown volunteer information](https://phillyunknownproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Monday, September 14** **Books Through Bars** also holds Monday evening session from **6:30 to 8:30 p.m.** at **4722 Baltimore Ave.** Orientation is required before attending drop-in sessions. ### **Wednesday, September 16** **The Everywhere Project** has its Wednesday LOVE Park outreach, starting with a **6:45 p.m. setup**, followed by outreach and cleanup. Find all [event information](https://www.everywhereproject.org/event-details-registration/love-park-outreach-2026-2026-09-02-19-30?ref=theplatia.com) here. ### **Thursday, September 17** **Share Food Program** has Senior Food Box Packing from **9 a.m. to noon** at **3111 W. Allegheny Ave.** For a flexible food-recovery option, **Philly Food Rescue** operates through individually claimed assignments. Volunteers can select one-time or recurring rescues through the app.[ Volunteer information](https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/get-involved/philly-food-rescue-volunteer/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Friday, September 18** **Punks with Lunch** has its recurring Friday outreach from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park**, using the Wolf Street side of the park. Come and ask for me and we will also provide Narcan and other health items for you to take home. ### **Saturday, September 19** 🎃 Horror book shop [Thrillerdelphia](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcoHHOJuWvo/?ref=theplatia.com) is hosting **a free pumpkin carving** from 2 to 7 p.m. at their Manayunk storefront at 4203 Main St. 🎃 **Maisy’s Meeting Hous**e is holding **a clothing swap** from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $10 at their Old City clubhouse. Bring at least 5 items to swap and a bag to take new-to-you items home. Everything unswapped will be donated to Punks With Lunch. [Learn more and RSVP here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Db-zdVrDvXf/?img%5Findex=2&ref=theplatia.com). ### **Sunday, September 20** **Homies Helping Homies** has its recurring Sunday distribution at **Wharton Square Park**, beginning at 10 a.m. ### **Monday, September 21** **Books Through Bars** has its regular Monday evening volunteer session from **6:30 to 8:30 p.m.** at **4722 Baltimore Ave.** Volunteers must have completed orientation. ### **Tuesday, September 22** **Philly Food Rescue** is a time-flexible option. Volunteers can claim a one-time or recurring rescue through the app and select assignments that can be completed by car, bicycle or transit. Rescues generally take an hour or less.[ Volunteer information](https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/get-involved/philly-food-rescue-volunteer/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Wednesday, September 23** **Punks with Lunch** operates at **Broad and Snyder from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.** **The Everywhere Project** has its weekly LOVE Park outreach. Setup begins around **6:45 p.m. at 15th and JFK**, with outreach and cleanup continuing until approximately 9:30 p.m.[ Event information](https://www.everywhereproject.org/event-details-registration/love-park-outreach-2026-2026-09-02-19-30?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Thursday, September 24** **Books Through Bars** has its regular Thursday session from **6:30 to 8:30 p.m.** at **4722 Baltimore Ave.** Orientation is required for new volunteers. ### **Friday, September 25** **Punks with Lunch** has its recurring Friday outreach from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park**, using the Wolf Street side of the park. Come and ask for me and we will also provide Narcan and other health items for you to take home. ### **Saturday, September 26** 🎃 **Wooden Shoe Books** runs[ a prison correspondence program](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcoxtNYlmoY/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com) the last Saturday of every month. There are options for queer people to establish long-term correspondence with queer prisoners, as well as one-time letters of encouragement to political prisoners for anyone who wants to participate. The event is free at 704 South Street. ### **Sunday, September 27** **Punks with Lunch** has its weekly distribution from **1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Broad and Snyder**. **Sharing Excess** has another Philadelphia Mt. Joy volunteer opportunity listed for September 27\. Volunteers help collect food donations and transport them to local food banks.[ Details and registration](https://www.sharingexcess.com/mtjoy?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Monday, September 28** **Books Through Bars** has its regular Monday evening volunteer session from **6:30 to 8:30 p.m.** at **4722 Baltimore Ave.** This is available to returning volunteers who have completed orientation. ### Coming in October... 🎃 Submissions for “NOW I WANNA SNIFF SOME GLUE 2,” **a wheatpaste art show**, are **due by October 1st, 2026**. The show will be held October 16 & 17, 2026 at Tattooed Moms. Drop off work at T-Moms, or [see where to submit here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcd%5Fp5VkTm9/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com). 🎃 Blue Sky Gardens, a non-profit that expands nutrition education and school garden programs, has a **garden party on October 1** from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fort Mifflin. The event is donation-based with all donations going to further their mission. [Find out more here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcQzFqwjtMT/?ref=theplatia.com). *Reach out if I can help with anything, whether that's a Narcan training, setting up food distribution or a story tip.* *Annemarie* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/08/IMG_3241.jpeg) ## Get the Platia newsletter The Platia is journalism for people who want to be part of the solution. Every newsletter subscribers helps us get civic information to the helpers that keep the community running. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Have you been to Philly's happy hour farmer's market? URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-after-hours-farmers-market/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T13:53:53.000Z Hi! Before we get into the upcoming volunteering posts, I want to tell you about someone doing something *so Philly* and so helpful. [Wild Heart Farm](https://www.instagram.com/wildheartfarming/?ref=theplatia.com) is a small operation, just Rachel Wilson and her quarter acre of land, but Wilson is reaching people standard farmer's markets are not. She's less about pomp and circumstance and more about what's convenient. It's frankly genius. “I was working so much that I wasn't able to see my friends,” she said. “I thought, I’d love to see my friends, and make it a social thing.” Running a farm alone takes up most of her waking hours, and distribution of the produce comes in at a heavy second. Since the way most small farms can sustain is to sell direct to customers, Wilson took that model and created a series of pop-ups tailored to folks who can’t make it to morning farmer’s markets. She’s making produce shopping more accessible to nightlife folks, when they’re already out with their friends. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/08/1000021453-1-1.jpg) We love a veg-forward cutie patootie [The After Hours Produce Club](https://www.afterhoursproduce.com/?ref=theplatia.com) has popped-up at Tattooed Moms, Starbolt, Two Robbers, Sacred Vice and other bars in Philly, during happy hours, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wilson brings tomatoes, beets, kale, zucchini, and more veggies and fruits grown on her Gilbertsville farm, about an hour outside of Philly, partnering with the bars to create a farmer’s market atmosphere into the evening. Shoppers also get special perks, like extended happy hours or drink discounts. Buying from Wilson at T-Moms will earn you a “mom chip,” which means 50 cents off your drinks for life. “It’s two small folding tables and a display with produce, and setting up inside the bar, I’m in air conditioning,” she says, laughing. That simple display is enough to encourage folks to visit the bars on quiet nights. And the best events happen when the bar partner is just as excited about getting out fresh food as she is. “The whole staff \[at the last pop-up\] told me how busy they were because of the pop-up.” The next two pop-ups are at bars in Phoenixville, with a third in[ September at American Sardine](https://luma.com/wildheartfarm?utm%5Fsource=ig&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcontent=link%5Fin%5Fbio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaeUiAqJsjpXPnEvSUL8TgCDm6YLgUPUyDh85SnlCCyyf3rqWWPOLSfFGUBClg%5Faem%5FrWTSFr2llXs4-zmfL0w9jQ&utm%5Fid=97760%5Fv0%5Fs00%5Fe0%5Ftv3&e=evt-lm6nYuur1baPp5P). Wild Heart will continue to post up at [Point Breeze Community Market](https://www.instagram.com/pointbreezecommunitymarket/?ref=theplatia.com) on Thursday afternoons, too. And for Wilson, she’ll be surveying how to continue getting fresh produce to people in unique ways. “I want to poll people a little bit more and see what the barriers are.” And she’s ever hopeful for that bringing fresh food where people are will encourage them to stay healthy. ## How you can get involved [Find the After Hours Produce Club calendar here](https://luma.com/wildheartfarm?ref=theplatia.com) to meet Rachel at an event. [And information on the Point Breeze Community Market here](https://www.threads.com/@pointbreezecommunitymarket?ref=theplatia.com). I was so excited to learn about the After Hours Produce Club that I called Rachel from my only days off, on vacation in Nashville. But I'm back, and that means I'll see you on the street. **Here's where you can volunteer the next few days.** I'll be out with Punks with Lunch and Food Not Bombs at our usual location at Mifflin Park, on Wolf and 6th, the next few Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Here, you'll help us give out reclaimed fruit and vegetables, water and food to the community. We will all share hot dogs and other food – because food should be free for everyone - and we'll give you an overdose prevention lesson and some items to take back to your own community. Just show up and find me! My friends at [The South Philly Community Fridge](https://www.instagram.com/southphlcommunityfridge/?hl=en&ref=theplatia.com) have been asking for assistance, too. They need drivers to help bring food from shops and warehouses to their South Philly Fridges. [Find out more here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaahDa0OPBV/?hl=en&ref=theplatia.com) and reach out to them to see if your schedule matches up. The Everywhere Project also really needs hands for their Wednesday night outreach in Love Park in Center City. It's a similar distro to our Friday free lunches, but a much bigger crowd of folks, and they can use both funds and people. They are super organized, but it's very busy and may be best for mutual aid volunteers who have been out before. Find out if this is a good fit for you [by reaching out to them here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcRBwvAPf76/?ref=theplatia.com). And as always, [here's the full list of mutual aid food outreach](https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups/). And let me know if I can help in any way. *Annemarie* If you liked today's list of volunteer options, forward it to a friend! Every new reader helps me connect mutual aid volunteers to needs. ### Tony told us how to help our restaurants. Are we listening now? URL: https://www.theplatia.com/tony-addiction-in-restaurants/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T17:58:32.000Z Anthony Bourdain. Patron saint of explorers, line cooks, and anyone who wants to do things their way—against the whims of authority figures—and still be heralded as a success. With the A24 movie[ *Tony*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MVnzd2aVc&ref=theplatia.com) just released, there’s renewed excitement over the life and loves of Anthony Bourdain, but silence around some recent issues that Bourdain himself might have brought up. Sure, the movie focuses on a short time in the life of a young Bourdain from his book *Kitchen Confidential*, but knowing that he was a big[ advocate for immigrants in kitchens](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/bourdains-death-means-loss-of-a-voice-for-immigrant-workers?ref=theplatia.com), it’s hard to ignore that outside of our movie theaters,[ ICE continues to raid restaurants and farms](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ice-walks-back-limits-raids-targeting-farms-restaurants-hotels-2025-06-17/?ref=theplatia.com). Data points to[ 196 documented arrests](https://civileats.com/2025/06/11/ice-raids-target-workers-on-farms-and-in-food-production-a-running-list/?ref=theplatia.com) at restaurants in 2025, that we know about. Bourdain was[ just as candid](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1265563741089094) about drug use in kitchens, talking openly about his own years on heroin, friends in the industry who struggled, and some who never made it out. “We were high all the time, sneaking off to the walk-in at every opportunity to ‘conceptualize,’” he wrote in his book. Today, at least[ 17% of food and beverage industry workers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26913332/?ref=theplatia.com) struggle with substance abuse, though experts believe the actual number is much higher. Long hours and a lack of mental health benefits add fuel to the fire of constant on-the-job contact with drugs and alcohol. A 2025 study found that[ “individuals in food preparation/serving occupations reported the highest prevalences for all substances.”](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.23737?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) This is not a new problem, but the industry is learning how to take care of its own, with much of the support network coming directly from[ peers in recovery](https://craftserving.com/free-resources-for-restaurant-workers/?ref=theplatia.com). Outside of Philadelphia, organizations like[ Giving Kitchen](https://givingkitchen.org/how-we-help/stability-network/?ref=theplatia.com) offer funds for in-treatment recovery, as well as assistance with housing and long-term mental health programs. Other groups offer overdose prevention workshops, free Narcan, and drug-testing strips for restaurant staff. Still others, like Ben’s Friends, create a social support network, with meetings in 23 cities, all tailored to the needs of bartenders, servers, and everyone else on staff. ****If your Philly establishment is interested in receiving free Narcan or overdose prevention training, I can facilitate. Please reach out.** When I asked sober friends in the industry what prevented them from getting help, they pointed to an atmosphere of constant partying and almost an expectation to keep up. *(I’m not naming these folks because these conversations happened in a friendly capacity, not for journalism, and I want to respect their privacy.)* My own father was an alcoholic and was sick his entire life from related ailments. The idea of following in his footsteps, having an illness in my genes waiting to activate, kept me in constant fear. It was only after learning more about the science of cocktails for work that the mythical nature of drink was removed, and I could see alcohol for what it was. And all the while I abstained, I mentioned health reasons—never my family history of alcoholism. If the stigma could be that strong one person removed, what must it be like for people dealing with substance abuse themselves? “People don’t want to look at it,” says Britt James Carpenter, founder of [Philly Unknown](https://phillyunknownproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com), a group that, among many other things, focuses on workforce development for people in recovery. Watching discussions about the Bourdain film romanticize his life and skip over his mental health issues, I can understand Carpenter’s point. After all, there’s still [confusion from the mainstream public](https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/6/7/17434480/needle-exchange-safe-injection-site-stigma-study?ref=theplatia.com) about many aspects of harm reduction. Indeed, friends I spoke to off the record mention long nights after longer shifts, taking meth to stay awake, and not speaking up because everyone was doing it and you didn’t want to be the first to say goodnight. “Society dictates a norm,” Carpenter says, “and people don’t want to be seen as vulnerable or flawed.” Since mental health goes hand in hand with substance abuse, that can be part of the hurdle to getting help, too. No one wants to be seen as weak. But Carpenter believes that without addressing both challenges together, it’s harder to heal. Fear of retaliation and quick job turnover might also keep restaurant workers suffering in silence, or in denial about a problem. Carpenter mentions back-to-back shifts and drugs being everywhere in the hospitality industry. But creating an atmosphere where people can be open about their drug and alcohol use goes a long way. “If I was open about it, maybe I had a chance,” he says. Speaking to friends who are struggling as if they are normal people—not with sympathy, but with empathy—is a start to getting them to open up, or admit to having a problem. And ultimately, people need to want to get help themselves. Carpenter puts all his energy into Philly Unknown and finds purpose there. “Healing comes in so many forms.” Even with food industry peers working to remove the stigma, some workers are left behind. Undocumented workers might feel uncomfortable approaching recovery networks or might not find support meetings available in their language. And since 40% of food industry workers earn poverty-level wages, and [only 32% have employer-funded benefits](https://punchdrink.com/articles/bartenders-resources-substance-abuse-opioids/?ref=theplatia.com), taking time off for recovery or meetings might be out of the question. Over the next few weeks, I will be interviewing organizations that are creating safety nets, from people providing late-night virtual meetings to others making sure restaurants have naloxone on hand, and I can’t wait to share them with you, because we can’t celebrate the amazing food scene without taking care of the people who make it possible. *And if you have a story you’d like to share, even anonymously, please reach out.* ### Did you know you can test your drugs anonymously? URL: https://www.theplatia.com/test-drugs-anonymously-pa-groundhogs/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T18:21:46.000Z You've heard me talk about the PA Groundhogs organization previously, mostly about their data on drug testing strips, and use cases for those strips. But I was first interested in P.A.G because of their anonymous drug testing lab. Put most simply, they test the supply of street drugs to issue public health notices. By understanding how much Fentanyl or synthetic drugs are in the supply, we can track the efficacy of lifesaving tools like Narcan, and track potential future overdoses. I wanted to walk through the experience of ordering this test kit, so I [visited their website](https://pagroundhogs.org/test-kits?ref=theplatia.com) and went through the prompts myself. I filled out a mailing address box, which did not have specific name boxes, so a user could theoretically put whatever name they wanted, for safety reasons. I then used my credit card to pay the $10 shipping fee for one test kit, and checked out. The package that arrived was covert – it actually took me a few minutes to remember what it was. It ships via “P.A.G Work Group” with a Philadelphia address, to me by first name, last initial and the address I provided. Inside the standard size envelope is a pamphlet of directions and information requests: did you use a test strip on this sample? What was the zip code where it was purchased? Was the source the street or a private vendor? The test kit also contains the baggie and envelopes to ship the sample back to them, as well as a slip with a QR code to retrieve results and find out what’s in your supply. With this drug testing kit, the impetus is on you to provide factual information to the best of your ability, and to provide payment with a credit card - which might understandably turn some people off. They also offer bulk for organizations, and if you have the means, considering buying a few to keep around for friends or family. [You can order those kits here.](https://pagroundhogs.org/test-kits?ref=theplatia.com) ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism as mutual aid. Volunteer with harm reduction efforts and learn civic skills, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### This farm sanctuary hosts coffee with cows URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-farm-sanctuary-cows-coffee/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T22:53:38.000Z Better yet, you can volunteer with them. About a 45 minute drive outside of Philadelphia, you'll find a farm hiding down a driveway covered in trees and bushes. It's not until you get out of your car and walk a few minutes down the road that you see something amazing. [Rose Bridge Farm and Sanctuary](https://rosebridgefarmsanctuary.com/?ref=theplatia.com) is home to dozens of goats, sheep, cows, piglets, cats, camels and more. To help people understand the value these animals bring to our lives, Rose Bridge has programs like Cows & Cocktails, animal husbandry tours, goat yoga and even private cuddle sessions with cows and piglets. I visited for the Cows & Coffee program, arriving early at 9 a.m. in the morning, in my pajamas no less, to hang out with a cow. After passing the camel and sheep enclosures, the group climbed up to the top of the farmhouse, where they host workshops and a kitchen, to find a gourmet coffee station with sauces, espressos, teas and other morning drink choices. I made an iced mocha latter and then joined the group outside to meet our cows, Dottie and Teddy. Dottie, Micro Hereford Calf, and Teddy, a Mini Highland Calf, were hospitable hosts, greeting us with picnic blankets, chairs, and bowls of snacks – for them, not us. I fed them fruits and vegetables, they particularly enjoyed the apple sticks, and eventually they both received bottles. The morning ended with relaxing time in the field with the cows and their goat friend, who took a liking to me. I left the experience extremely relaxed, and this is not a unique experience. Researchers found that [spending time with animals](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37131853/?ref=theplatia.com), especially during "care farming," which is any structured experience of animal care, can reduce cortisol and increase oxytocin (read: reduce upset, increase happy). Regularly interacting with farm animals can result in reduced depression and greater feelings of calm and purpose, particularly when its part of a AAI, or Animal Assisted interventions. [Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497626000317?ref=theplatia.com) in Vienna found that simply brushing a cow can result in calmness for both the human and cow. Rose Bridge Farm and Sanctuary accepts volunteers to help with dirty work - refilling water, moving hay, and more. But they prefer regular volunteers who can commit to one hour, one day a week. [Visit their website](https://rosebridgefarmsanctuary.com/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) to find out more and spend time with the lovely, calming residents of Rose Bridge Farm and Sanctuary. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbt0kzBOT3w/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbt0kzBOT3w/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### The Philly August Volunteering Calendar URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-august-volunteer/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T23:11:54.000Z Hello friends! Every month I highlight volunteering opportunities with mutual aid groups. This month there are a few highlights I want to call your attention to. [**The Everywhere Project**](https://www.instagram.com/the%5Feverywhere%5Fproject/?ref=theplatia.com) **is in need of a few new volunteers. Last month I noted that** [**they also need chefs**](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-cooking-volunteers/)**. They are a wonderful woman-led org that does the tough work in Kensington, and you'll be in great hands learning about harm reduction when you volunteer with them. You'll find their events in the calendar below.** The Familiar Hearts Animal Society is having an orientation for folks who are interested in volunteering with them. At the event you'll learn about all the ways you can help and what kind of personalities and skills work best with their org. Signing up for this free newsletter helps me get more hands to more mutual aid groups. You can unsubscribe at any time. [Click here to sign up ](https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom/) This month I found a few low-cost and free events that build community, and I wanted to share them as well. There will be two volunteering newsletters this month to handle so many entries. Since distros and events can change, please double check with each individual group before you show up. ### **Monday, August 3** Volunteer with The Sunday Love Project at the Greater Goods grocery distribution from 8:30 a.m. until noon at 3206 Kensington Avenue. It's just a short walk from Somerset Station on the Market–Frankford Line. Visit [https://www.sundaylove.org](https://www.sundaylove.org/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Tuesday, August 4** The Sanctuary Farm farm stand at 22nd and Cecil B. Moore operates every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Fill out a volunteer form at [sanctuaryfarmphila.org](http://sanctuaryfarmphila.org/?ref=theplatia.com) and learn more [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbWfrkpzMwb.?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Wednesday, August 5** Punks with Lunch needs volunteers for distribution at the intersection of Broad and Snyder from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m, every Wednesday (and Sunday!). Snyder Station on the Broad Street Line is just steps away. Volunteers with cars are especially needed. [Read more here](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Thursday, August 6** Spend the evening packing books for incarcerated readers with Books Through Bars from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 4722 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia. Arrive via SEPTA Trolley Routes 13 and 34\. Visit [https://www.booksthroughbars.org/volunteer](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Friday, August 7** Sharing Excess needs volunteers from 9:00 a.m. to noon, helping to redistribute surplus food at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 6700 Essington Avenue. Take SEPTA Route 37 to reach the market. Learn more at[ https://www.sharingexcess.com/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Saturday, August 8** **The Everywhere Project needs volunteers for outreach in Kensington from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m., near Ruth and Clearfield Streets, close to Somerset Station on the Market–Frankford Line. Learn more at**[](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com)[**https://www.everywhereproject.org**](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com)**.** Join the Afro-Punk screens at 6pm at [@breadboxphilly](https://www.instagram.com/breadboxphilly/?ref=theplatia.com), 1021 Ridge Ave, with a Q&A on the graphic memoir 'It Starts with Anger': "a coming-of-age story about race, punk, and self-determination that traces the roots of the Afro-Punk movement he founded." $10-$20 sliding scale with tickets at [spoonersnofun.com](http://spoonersnofun.com/?ref=theplatia.com). For more info: [https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0yINzIN0c/](https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0yINzIN0c/?ref=theplatia.com) **Familiar Hearts Animal Society needs volunteers to help at their pet pantry. They’re having a volunteer meet-and-greet on August 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 6175 Ridge Ave. You'll get to meet current volunteers and learn about different programs and ways to be involved. Sign up here: https://www.familiarhearts.org/volunteer** ### **Sunday, August 9** **Punks with Lunch needs volunteers for distribution at the intersection of Broad and Snyder from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m, every Wednesday (and Sunday!). Snyder Station on the Broad Street Line is just steps away. Volunteers with cars are especially needed.** [**Read more here**](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com)**.** LIGHT UP THE MARKET celebration runs August 8 and August 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and highlights light art to honor the immigrant workers who define the history and culture of the South 9th Street Market. Includes guided tours, illuminated produce scales, lightboxes, and a multi-media projection truck. These installations are designed to amplify the resilience and traditions of 9th Street workers. Get [more information on eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/light-up-the-market-honoring-the-workers-of-9th-street-tickets-1995801284367?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawTZlohleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFIU3N4MlNpTXltbFBHbXE1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqyVfbhi8VRVjFYg9yFnpvJb0-mSJKWDH4-D8kL1ql6T4O90BAqoaDNJ7Vpo%5Faem%5F7yhW2BbJ0UN91-H-mh84WA&ref=theplatia.com). ### **Wednesday, August 12** The Everywhere Project needs volunteers for their evening outreach at LOVE Park from 6:45 to 9:00 p.m. You can get there via SEPTA 15th Street Station, City Hall, or Suburban Station. Find out more here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbdV1BKvdSr ### **Friday, August 14** **Join Punks with Lunch at Mifflin Square Park from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. The park is served by SEPTA Route 47 and is within walking distance of the Broad Street Line. Get more info here: https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/** ### **Saturday, August 15** Volunteer with Homies Helping Homies for a Saturday food rescue shift from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check out their Instagram for more info: [https://www.instagram.com/homies.helping.homies/](https://www.instagram.com/homies.helping.homies/?ref=theplatia.com) ### **Monday, August 17** Help prepare meals with Punks with Lunch on Monday mornings. The preparation space is shared with the People’s Kitchen. Learn more at[ https://www.punkswithlunch.com/volunteer-with-us](https://www.punkswithlunch.com/volunteer-with-us?ref=theplatia.com). Volunteer with The Sunday Love Project at the Greater Goods grocery distribution from 8:30 a.m. until noon at 3206 Kensington Avenue. It's just a short walk from Somerset Station on the Market–Frankford Line. Visit [https://www.sundaylove.org](https://www.sundaylove.org/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Wednesday, August 19** Punks with Lunch needs volunteers for distribution at the intersection of Broad and Snyder from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m, every Wednesday (and Sunday!). Snyder Station on the Broad Street Line is just steps away. Volunteers with cars are especially needed. [Read more here](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com). ### **Friday, August 21** **Join me and Punks with Lunch at Mifflin Square Park from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. We will be handing out food, and I will talk to you about Narcan and harm reduction. https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/** ## **Before You Go** Most organizations recommend wearing comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and bringing a reusable water bottle. Many food rescue shifts involve lifting produce boxes, while outreach events often take place outdoors in all weather. If you're new, don't worry—every one of these groups welcomes first-time volunteers and will show you what to do. Volunteering with even one organization can make a meaningful difference, but spending a month getting to know several of Philadelphia's mutual aid groups is also a great way to build relationships and discover where your skills and interests fit best. ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism as mutual aid. Volunteer with harm reduction efforts and learn civic skills, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### This antifascist celebration focuses on pasta URL: https://www.theplatia.com/this-antifascist-celebration-focuses-on-pasta/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T20:31:22.000Z It’s time for **pastasciutta antifascista**, a celebration that stems from the arrest of Benito Mussolini. As early as the 1920s, Mussolini launched an anti-pasta campaign to promote nationalism, encouraging Italians to eat homegrown rice rather than imported wheat. Although Italy produced its own wheat, it couldn’t keep up with demand for pasta and other wheat products. Mussolini declared November 1, 1927, National Rice Day and established the National Rice Board to oversee marketing and production. Today, Italy [produces about 50%](https://italysegreta.com/panissa-in-the-po-valley/?ref=theplatia.com) of the European Union’s rice. Mussolini believed that replacing pasta with rice would create a more dynamic and fit Italy, and he wasn’t alone. By 1932, [cookbooks appeared](https://food52.com/story/19324-meet-the-italians-who-thought-pasta-wouldn-t-last?ref=theplatia.com) urging Italians to stop eating pasta. Futurist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti believed that pasta promoted a gloomy life, [writing](https://emikodavies.substack.com/p/pasta-antifascista-for-july-25), “Pasta is anti-virile because a heavy, bloated stomach does not encourage physical enthusiasm for a woman, nor favour the possibility of possessing her at any time.” Despite these attempts to all but ban pasta, Italians didn’t stop eating it. In July 1943, when Mussolini was arrested, farming families in the Emilia-Romagna region celebrated by sharing bowls of simple pasta with butter and cheese. More recent critics have argued that Marinetti’s cookbook was a [“kooky treat”](https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/01/21/futurist-cookbook-marinetti/?ref=theplatia.com) of satire and that efforts to reduce Italy’s reliance on pasta were simply a wartime necessity. But we can’t ignore that the farming family who began the **pastasciutta antifascista** tradition—the Cervi brothers—[were executed](https://jacobin.com/2026/07/pasta-antifascism-cervi-brothers-italy?fbclid=IwY2xjawTUjX1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMTGVucnF1Z1NkSmtPaEk5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoxjkAuxwc5Tg23Ky%5Fjkgjo01evZt4S8WMXnKI6TKEfhnszAu8kh789B4J1M%5Faem%5FmvNFrjBUEU-oLqqJW6ryEg&ref=theplatia.com) by soldiers of the Italian Social Republic, the final incarnation of the Italian Fascist state. At the time, pasta was not the romantic fork twirl featured on Positano tourism posters, but peasant food that sustained rural laborers through a day’s work. “Macaroni eater” was used as an insult to Neapolitan street food. But pasta is still around, and remains a meal of resistance, [eaten by Italian antifascists every year on or around July 25](https://www-lacucinaitaliana-it.translate.goog/article/pastasciutta-antifascista/?%5Fx%5Ftr%5Fsl=auto&%5Fx%5Ftr%5Ftl=en&%5Fx%5Ftr%5Fhl=en&%5Fx%5Ftr%5Fpto=wapp&ref=theplatia.com). **The Platia will be serving this meal at our Friday Free Food Picnic in Mifflin Square Park at 2pm. Come enjoy a free bowl of pasta with butter and cheese while reflecting on what we can learn from the farmers and mutual aid groups who helped keep their communities safe during times of struggle.** If you'd like to be part of the event, just show up to the park and meet [all of our wonderful mutual aid groups](https://www.theplatia.com/behind-the-scenes-of-free-food-distribution/) who do this work every week. ### Supper clubs are an exercise in community healing URL: https://www.theplatia.com/supper-club-tips-philly/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T16:28:23.000Z Studies compiled by the American Survey Center shows that while Americans often think of restaurants as a community gathering space, [only 46% feel ](https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/disconnected-places-and-spaces/?ref=theplatia.com)they can actually gather there. This means that while cities like mine Philadelphia have growing restaurant scenes, people don’t quite feel comfortable enough to become regulars or sit and stay awhile. One reason could be that tasting menus have become more popular. They’re generally more expensive than a la carte menus, and some don’t allow seating for one if there’s no bar area. So hanging out and attempting to meet people may not even be an option at your favorite place to eat. Living in an era of hyper capitalism, means [77% of Americans experience burnout](https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2023-workplace-health-well-being?ref=theplatia.com) that discourages them from participating in community events or volunteering at all. But — you’ve got to eat, so restaurants have a chance to bridge this gap. Enter: Supper clubs. A supper club differs from a restaurant in that the venue might be pop-up style, or more casual than other high-quality dining spaces, but the food is just as good. The casual atmosphere encourages conversation, from group seating at dinner time to mingling during happy hours. The chef may do a demonstration, cook in the open, or sit with you at the table. You can engage with them, ask questions and understand the heritage and background of the dishes. Supper clubs often have mixed seating, which means you must speak to the people around you, at least to reach plates and drinks. And the food you’re all eating provides a great starting point for conversation. BYOB supper clubs encourage discussion while sharing bottles. The community aspect of the supper club leans on a concept called behavioral contagion, which means that we tend to act like the people around us. So if you’re at a supper club and everyone is sharing plates and talking, you’re more likely to talk and share plates as well. There’s also serotonin and dopamine release when we eat delicious food, which puts us in a better mood to engage and make connections. And then there’s the validation of sharing a meal with other people, which can release endorphins, too. These all create positive feelings that can extend beyond the supper club, to reaching out to other friends, and it can even encourage us to be more involved with our neighbors and our community. In fact, a study from the University of Oxford found that [social eating encourages civic involvement](https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-16-social-eating-connects-communities?ref=theplatia.com), because people who engage in communal eating are happier and have stronger support networks. ### What You Can Do Today Not everyone feels prepared to host a supper club, but have you considered having a few friends over for a potluck dinner? Unsure where to start? Create an invite with an RSVP and see who signs up. That ties you to a date and time and gives lots of motivation to get things going. But don't forget to keep it low pressure and get your community involved. - Don't wait for the perfect location. So much of community building is just getting there, so a venue that is at a familiar location, like a friends home, or near transportation/parking is better than a beautiful setup. - There are certainly sciences around the setup and flow of a dinner party, but getting humans in the door is always more important. If your place is clean and has seating, people will be comfortable. Don't forget to ask about any allergies or pet situations first, though. - A communal menu for a potluck can take the pressure off one person cooking and also open up conversation to ingredients and taste profiles. Consider giving everyone guidance on what to bring, and let them take it from there. - Having non-alcohol beverages is integral, even if you have no sober friends. Folks may be driving, have an early night, have a temporary medical situation or any other reason why they do not want to drink that night. This simply opens up the choices. - Having a conversation table with a puzzle, board game or other tactile activity can bring together people who may not know each other, with a problem-solving task. It creates something to *do* with hands, for people who might be a little shy, and bonds new friends. - Name tags seem corny, but adding a question or prompt gives people an introduction to talk to each other. It can be as simple as "something you can talk about for hours" or "your favorite childhood piece of media/art." - Prepare some containers for everyone to bring home a little food. Besides not wasting everyones hard work, it gives people a takeaway. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV9ELJijspQ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV9ELJijspQ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism as mutual aid. Volunteer with harm reduction efforts and learn civic skills, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Immediate-need volunteering for folks who like to cook - also, veggie issues URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-cooking-volunteers/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T15:16:25.000Z Thank you so much for opening today’s email. I’ve been working really hard on summer food stories: who gets to eat, who food belongs to and what food means in certain circles. If you haven’t caught up, [check out the homepage to see some of the reported features that don’t make it into the newsletter](https://www.theplatia.com/). Summer can be a tough time in mutual aid circles. Frequent volunteers go on vacation, or have family visits. I saw three immediate requests for volunteers that I want to highlight because these are organizations I have worked with and see the direct impact they have in their communities. [The Everywhere Project is looking for cooks!](https://everywhereproject.org/so/7aPzTf7KY?languageTag=en&cid=431601e3-17dc-47c8-9694-7851f355b3b5&ref=theplatia.com) TEP does incredible work and they need people to cook the meals they distribute to the community. They provide ingredients, and you can drop cooked meals off at their outreach sessions at Love Park, Kensington or Ambler, Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is a great group activity in your home for a cooking night. [Here’s the interest form.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewI7ziJWX3cmEfLuzjEhENSbDfRelZcmI-ciZ2xVtSYOGCIA/viewform?ref=theplatia.com) The People’s Kitchen is also looking for people to help. That could mean cooking, cleaning the kitchen or packing food. Their kitchen is located in the Italian Market and you’ll see the direct impact with food left in their community fridge and through mutual aid groups who come to pick up supplies and meals. [See the open shifts here. ](https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/6334246720122/false?ref=theplatia.com#/invitation) The South Philly Community Fridge needs volunteers to transport food to fridges. These volunteer slots range from picking up large produce boxes to unpacking boxes (no car needed for that!). It’s best to read through each shift to understand how you can help. [Check out the volunteer slots here](https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1117008636338508071/false?ref=theplatia.com#/invitation). ### Speaking of free food… I spent time looking at the cost of buying produce in Philly, which is among the highest in the country, if not the actual highest grocery basket cost. That means the food we take-home to cook is more expensive than it's ever been. Tariffs, climate, less competition among corporate grocers and ICE arresting or scaring away farm labor all factor into why food is so expensive. But if you don’t take it from me, take it from an actual agriculture scientist – **we should all be taking advantage of reclaimed food right now.** [Read that whole article here](https://www.theplatia.com/produce-in-philadelphia-costs-more-than-it-has-in-years/), including recommendations ranging from frozen veggies instead of fresh to finding food rescues that won’t ask for ID, if the stigma of receiving free food is still keeping you away. ### Philly is in a Code Purple So, lastly, I want to call your attention to the cooling center pop-up hosted by the Old First Church in Old City on 4th and Race. If you haven’t been here in a minute, this church has gone out of its way to show kindness, empathy and humanity to the neighborhood and people who find their way here. We're in a Code Purple right now, which means the air is ["unhealthy to breathe"](https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4%5FGSoRlbV/?ref=theplatia.com) and some city services, like garbage pickup, will be cancelled. And while the Free Library, which acts as a cooling center, is staying open, the emergency cooling centers are not opening or increasing their services. Alarmed by the city’s slow response to the heat emergency and poor air quality, the Old First Chirch has opened their own cooling center. They have chilly air conditioning, wifi and phone charging, drinks – and no ID is required to utilize the center. Check out the information, and if you can, [**please share so others find it today**](https://www.facebook.com/oldfirst/posts/pfbid028PuUgpFjarBbxHcENCcEjHWfgjqunu1dvL1ygrcUyUCXTJLiwKDxQ1zUPmYJ46X3l)**.** [*I write The Platia all on my own*](https://www.instagram.com/travelinganna/?ref=theplatia.com)*, and am so glad you’re here, reading, sharing and volunteering. *Please reach out* if you want to collaborate on a civic training or volunteer opportunity, or if you want me to look into a situation regarding harm reduction and mutual aid. I am \*always\* here waiting for your feedback and thoughts!* ### Produce in Philadelphia costs more than it has in years URL: https://www.theplatia.com/produce-in-philadelphia-costs-more-than-it-has-in-years/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T17:36:52.000Z It's getting harder to find groceries across Philadelphia. And when you find them, the [basics are indeed increasing in price](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/grocery-prices-jumped-april-iran-war-gas-rcna344762?ref=theplatia.com) \- it's not your imagination. At least 10 grocers have closed since 2021, with [more supermarket chains downsizing in 2026](https://philadelphia.today/2026/03/grocery-outlet-closing-two-philadelphia-stores/?ref=theplatia.com). A [Food Trust study](https://thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/need-for-supermarkets-in-philadelphia.original.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) on the severity of food deserts found that Philadelphia had 180 grocery stores for 1.5 million people. That’s about 70 short compared to similar-sized cities. And that’s the second-lowest number of supermarkets per capita of any major U.S. city. The losses are particularly bad in neighborhoods like Strawberry Mansion, which [Food Trust singled out ](https://nextcity.org/features/philadelphia-grocery-stores-changing-food-deserts?ref=theplatia.com)as an area with high diet-related mortality rates. Other areas are dependent on the whims big chains, like a pocket of Spring Garden[ that was built around an Amazon super-grocer](https://www.phillyvoice.com/amazon-fresh-closing-all-stores-february-whole-foods-philly/?ref=theplatia.com), and is now without a market when the shop closed suddenly. It's a warning for future developments, [like the coming Trader Joe’s space on Columbus Boulevard](https://phillyretailspaces.com/trader-joes-to-anchor-new-south-philadelphia-shopping-center/?ref=theplatia.com) (an area that [means a lot](https://www.theplatia.com/why-we-need-to-continue-following-the-story-of-camp-chloe/) to a lot of different groups). In South Philly, we're experiencing a decline in the variety of grocery options. Southwest Philly lost both major chains and small grocers, from 12 local stores in 1984, [down to 5 by 2004](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4850278/?ref=theplatia.com). A lack of competition means the few stories in an area that sell produce can charge what they want, and now [Philadelphia has some of the highest grocery prices in the US](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/cost-of-groceries-by-state.html?ref=theplatia.com). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, [the food index](https://www.bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic/news-release/consumerpriceindex%5Fphiladelphia.htm?ref=theplatia.com) – the part of the Consumer Price Index the government uses to track prices over time – shows a 2.7% increase in the cost of the category called “food-at-home” due to higher prices in fruits and vegetables. The latest price hike for produce (a rise of +5.3%) is t[he highest increase in the past few years](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/grocery-prices-jumped-april-iran-war-gas-rcna344762?ref=theplatia.com). Produce hasn't been this expensive [at any point in the 79 years the FRED index has existed](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/data/CUSR0000SAF113?ref=theplatia.com). [And it’s just going to get worse](https://www.newsweek.com/grocery-prices-are-rising-again-in-2026-its-just-the-start-12007755?ref=theplatia.com). Food at home, 2-month percent change, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington: Feb 2023 +2.8%, Dec 2023 +0.9%, Apr 2024 +0.5%, Jun 2024 -0.7%, Aug 2024 +1.1%, Oct 2024 +0.5%, Dec 2024 +0.2%, Apr 2025 -0.9%, Apr 2026 +1.4%. Philadelphia-area (BLS) food-at-home index, 2-month percent change at each published release. Data gaps exist where the sub-index was not reported for this window (most of 2023, most of 2025). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington. ## What Can You Do? I spoke to Doctor Lauren Chenarides, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences about what the options are for keeping costs manageable while also shopping responsibly. Dr. Chenarides and I both come from Mediterranean backgrounds ([see where The Platia name comes from](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/)), so when I asked about growing my own food, she wasn't surprised, but let me down easy. "Growing food could be a cathartic and grounding tool to help offset the frustration of the rising food prices," Dr. Chenarides says, "but may not be any less expensive." Between the time involved, getting crops and all the care items and tools needed, growing food is not going to be an option for most people. Where it can be option is if you can borrow tools, use programs to share seeds or crops and use city programs for [soil and compost](https://www.phila.gov/services/trees-parks-the-environment/get-or-dispose-of-organic-materials/?ref=theplatia.com). "Check Facebook Marketplace and different free community groups... there might be a way to offset the costs of growing something," she says. [The Philly Agricultural Resource Center](https://farmphilly.org/arc/?ref=theplatia.com) would be a good place to check, and [the Free Library offers seed libraries](https://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/5598?ref=theplatia.com). "Herbs are economical. Try growing them at home rather than buying them in the store." Because the price of produce is so sensitive to climate, tariffs and trade, transportation fuel changes and changes in farm labor (for example, [ICE arresting our farm workers](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/02/nx-s1-5604903/ice-raids-have-deterred-foreign-farm-workers-but-farmers-hope-to-make-hiring-easier?ref=theplatia.com)), Dr. Chenarides mentions checking the unit price and getting savvy about recipes to understand the actual cost of your meals. Not every vegetable may be more expensive, based on where it's grown. If tomatoes are up this month, for example, can you make that recipe with fewer tomatoes, or potatoes instead? Frozen vegetables may be cheaper, too. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaTIja6SFHP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Share Food Program (@sharefoodphilly)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaTIja6SFHP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Most importantly, Dr. Chenarides shares my passion for food rescue. Grocers and wholesale markets throw out pounds of food every day because it's past sell-by date, but is still edible. Every single day, multiple Philadelphia area mutual aid and food rescue groups go to the wholesale market in South Philly to pick up huge boxes of squash, tomatoes, green beans, corn, and many other vegetables that can't be sold anymore. Though there's a stigma about receiving free food, it's something everyone should take advantage of, to keep good produce from ending up in the garbage. [Philly food rescues](https://www.theplatia.com/behind-the-scenes-of-free-food-distribution/), like Food Not Bombs, The Everywhere Project or [other groups on this list](https://www.theplatia.com/the-south-philly-july-mutual-aid-calendar/), will not ask for ID or quantify your need. "There's a mentality of, I need to do something to get something," Dr. Chenarides says. That's the stigma we need to get around. Food belongs to everyone, and checking reclaimed produce drop-offs before going to the store is an option for every single person. ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism as harm reduction. Volunteer with mutual aid and learn civic skills, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### The Philly July mutual aid volunteering calendar URL: https://www.theplatia.com/the-south-philly-july-mutual-aid-calendar/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T16:13:54.000Z Here are some volunteering opportunities with mutual aid groups. Since distros can shift and change, please RSVP with each individual group before you show up. I'm trying a new calendar format this month, so please let me know if you like this version, or the list better! #### Yes, it's a new look! I'm trying a new calendar format this month, so please let me know if you like this version, or the list better! ## Philly Mutual Aid Volunteer Calendar: July 13 - 30th **Mon, July 13** Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 14** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 15** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 16** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) **Fri, July 17** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic with The Platia RSVP: adooling at gmail dot com **Sat, July 18** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering + donation drop-off 10am–12pm RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage **Sun, July 19** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food Homies Helping Homies — Wharton Square Park (2300 Wharton St), food distribution + community cleanup RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up on Sunday morning **Mon, July 20** Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Wed, July 22** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 23** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) **Fri, July 24** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic distro with The Platia RSVP: drop-in — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) **Sat, July 25** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage Sharing Excess — three shifts: PWPM produce sorting 8–11am; Sharehouse packing/loading 9–11am (5109 Warren St); West Philly Pop-Up Distribution 11:45am–1:30pm (5200 Larchwood Ave) RSVP: pick a shift and sign up at [sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Sun, July 26** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food **Mon, July 27** Homies Helping Homies — possible Cross Street Table Distribution (confirm date) RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or email homieshelpinghomiesvolunteer@gmail.com Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 28** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 29** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 30** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Ongoing:** Sunday Love Project's Greater Goods free grocery store in Kensington needs volunteers every day — sign up at [sundaylove.org/get-involved](https://sundaylove.org/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com). Most of these are casual drop-in distros, so "RSVP" mainly means signing up for a volunteer shift or messaging ahead so they know to expect you or respond to any questions. ## Sign up for The Platia volunteering newsletter The Platia is journalism as harm reduction. Volunteer with mutual aid and learn civic skills, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Want to fight hunger? Plant a garden right now URL: https://www.theplatia.com/fight-hunger-plant-a-garden-philly/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T01:05:26.000Z In all the conversations about Philly’s "food scene,” equity and urban gardening are finally getting the time they deserve. In June, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson announced the intention to create a Food and Nutrition Security [Coordination Office](https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local%5Fnews/task-force-report-recommends-new-office-to-fight-food-insecurity/article%5F20443196-4b6a-41e5-a089-0ffc3fe4612b.html?ref=theplatia.com) in Philly based on recommendations from his [Food and Nutrition Security Task Force](https://phlcouncil.com/philadelphia-city-councils-food-and-nutrition-security-task-force-recommends-new-approach-to-food-access-in-philadelphia/?ref=theplatia.com). Composed of high-ranking ([mostly](https://phlcouncil.com/philadelphia-city-councils-food-and-nutrition-security-task-force-recommends-new-approach-to-food-access-in-philadelphia/?ref=theplatia.com) male) executives of large charities, the task force spent weeks coming up with recommendations to fight hunger across the city. The areas they focused on were governance and accountability, immediate stabilization and resident access, food production and economic systems, and health, education, and human development. Though we don’t know much yet – and outreach to the City Council was not answered – the most interesting part of the plan is the promise to implement Philly’s [Urban Agriculture Program](https://whyy.org/articles/what-do-you-think-of-phillys-first-urban-agriculture-plan-the-city-wants-to-know/?ref=theplatia.com). That program, commissioned in 2019, promised to make land ownership more accessible for Black and brown growers, and provide more areas of the city access to freshly grown food. Certainly equitable produce will be a topic of discussion for the task force, since execs from Food Trust, SHARE, and Sharing Excess are all part of the group. But seeing a bunch of executives put together a slide deck doesn’t make me feel better about hungry neighbors. It's hard to take these plans seriously when you see [how much money is spent on tourism](https://www.inquirer.com/business/world-cup-philadelphia-local-economy-benefit-20260625.html?ref=theplatia.com) while watching mutual aid groups who literally hand food to people lose funding and scramble for basic resources every day. I'm there when people come up to us and beg for extras to take with them, or come back on a produce line to grab just one more vegetable to take home. Every week I spend my own money, and ask the community if they're able to give, because keeping resources within our neighborhoods has become paramount. [So forgive me if PDFs about "meeting people where they are" falls a little flat](https://phlcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/City-of-Philadelphia-FNSTF-Report-Recommendations-06.24.pdf?ref=theplatia.com). What has made me feel better, though, is seeing people plant their own food around the city. Whether in their own plots, by seed bombing, or in container, there's an ecosystem of collaboration brewing. But, let's start small. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5888.jpeg) Squash in a sidewalk planter in Society Hill In my own tiny plot of land, with just a dash of morning sun, I’ve been able to successfully grow three types of small tomatoes, a handful of herbs, green peppers, figs, aloe, kale, and edible flowers. For inspiration on how to maximize my space, I visited Longwood Gardens. The 1,000+ acres of the gardens and greenhouses are all incredible, but I am particularly obsessed with their ornamental kitchen garden, where produce for the 1906 restaurant is grown (supplemented by nearby farms). I’ve interviewed Longwood’s senior [horticulturist Alex Correia](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPRrOZlidqh/?ref=theplatia.com) more than once for articles about [the menu creation at 1906](https://longwoodgardens.org/dine/1906/menu?ref=theplatia.com) (see the July issue of Philly Mag!) but on my latest visit I had questions about what I could add to my garden right now to maximize the potential to feed myself and my neighbors. Here are five edible plants you can grow in the next few weeks. - Phacelia, known as “bee’s friend,” is obviously a great idea to plant to create an ecosystem that will attract pollinators. However, the leaves of the plant are also edible. In Philly’s growing region, [zone 7b](https://phsonline.org/for-gardeners/gardeners-blog/understanding-updated-usda-plant-hardiness-zone-map?ref=theplatia.com), if you plant in late August or September, Phacelia will create shallow roots, go dormant over winter, and show up again in April. - Breadseed Poppy creates a nutty-flavored seed that can be used in cooking, and blooms a beautiful blush color that adds a rainbow to your garden. In zone 7b, plant this flower in late summer on loose soil. - Yellow mustard is a cold-weather plant that can be planted in late summer for winter greens. It thrives with full sun and drainage. - The late summer heat is perfect for cucumbers, so if you’ve been holding off, grab a pot and start them now for fall cucumber meals. - Kale can be planted in the late summer in our zone, and thrives with full sun throughout the autumn. It can be planted in window pots too. In all the recommendations made by the task force – and I do believe we need policy to fix food equity – I hope they remember that the ability to grow our own food puts a resource back into our own hands, providing community stability and power. ❓ Have any questions about a late-summer edible garden? I’ll be speaking to an urban agriculture expert and will share all your questions. Send me a message at **adooling at gmail dot com.* > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DafZvQcusxR/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DafZvQcusxR/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Philly Mutual Aid Volunteer Calendar: July 13 - 30th **Mon, July 13** Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 14** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 15** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 16** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Fri, July 17** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic with The Platia RSVP: adooling at gmail dot com **Sat, July 18** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering + donation drop-off 10am–12pm RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage Sharing Excess — three shifts: PWPM produce sorting 8–11am; Sharehouse packing/loading 9–11am (5109 Warren St); West Philly Pop-Up Distribution 11:45am–1:30pm (5200 Larchwood Ave) RSVP: pick a shift and sign up at [sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Sun, July 19** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food Homies Helping Homies — Wharton Square Park (2300 Wharton St), food distribution + community cleanup RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up Sunday morning Sunday Love Project — Sunday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Mon, July 20** Homies Helping Homies — possible Cross Street Table Distribution (confirm date) RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or email homieshelpinghomiesvolunteer@gmail.com Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 21** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 22** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 23** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Fri, July 24** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic distro (joint) RSVP: drop-in — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) or [@southphillyfoodnotbombs](https://www.instagram.com/southphillyfoodnotbombs/?ref=theplatia.com) to confirm and offer to help **Sat, July 25** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage Sharing Excess — three shifts: PWPM produce sorting 8–11am; Sharehouse packing/loading 9–11am (5109 Warren St); West Philly Pop-Up Distribution 11:45am–1:30pm (5200 Larchwood Ave) RSVP: pick a shift and sign up at [sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Sun, July 26** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food Homies Helping Homies — Wharton Square Park (2300 Wharton St), food distribution + community cleanup RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up Sunday morning Sunday Love Project — Sunday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Mon, July 27** Homies Helping Homies — possible Cross Street Table Distribution (confirm date) RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or email homieshelpinghomiesvolunteer@gmail.com Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 28** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 29** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 30** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Also ongoing:** Sunday Love Project's Greater Goods free grocery store in Kensington needs volunteers every day it's open (about 3 people/day) — sign up for any date at [sundaylove.org/get-involved](https://sundaylove.org/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com). Most of these are informal, drop-in mutual aid distros rather than ticketed events — "RSVP" mainly means signing up for a volunteer shift or messaging ahead so they know to expect you. ### One thing you can do today: save a life with this free little tool URL: https://www.theplatia.com/drug-test-strip-data-philly/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T01:06:22.000Z Drug test strips can fit in your pocket, [are totally legal](https://www.vitalstrategies.org/governor-tom-wolf-signs-fentanyl-test-strips-legislation-to-reduce-overdose-deaths-in-pennsylvania/?ref=theplatia.com) and can benefit anyone who is around drugs, but not everyone knows about them. If you haven’t used a drug test strip, you’ve seen them: the little sticks that look like thin tabs of paper. Once inserted into a small amount of your drug supply mixed with a little water, they can identify specific substances within the sample. [The P.A. Groundhogs](https://pagroundhogs.org/?ref=theplatia.com) have released a study to share how effective these test strips can be, and why more of us should have them around. The P.A. Groundhogs are an organization in Pennsylvania that collects drug samples to test the composition of recreational drugs, and changes in supply at large. If they notice a change, they send out safety warnings. [Anyone can order one of their kits](https://pagroundhogs.org/about?ref=theplatia.com). [Their study highlights the usefulness of personal drug testing](https://pagroundhogs.org/strip-study?ref=theplatia.com) by matching test strip information to their own lab tests. Between November 2023 and April 2026, they received 1,434 drug samples, of which 199 had test strip data from fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepine strips, which were discontinued in 2024 and medetomidine strips, introduced in 2025\. Drug samples that came with negative fentanyl test strip results were confirmed by the P.A. Groundhogs lab to be fentanyl-free. Xylazine strips did not perform as well, with a flaw thought to be caused by medetomidine and even Benadryl cross-reactivity. Carter Graves of the P.A. Groundhogs says that sometimes drugs they receive can have upwards of ten substances in one sample, and a false positive can still be helpful if it encourages people to act cautiously. “Some people want to contribute to our research,” they said about why someone should send samples. Others might be concerned about consent: they are agreeing to take one substance, not others that might be mixed in. And every bit they receive helps them understand how to fight overdoses. Even though that's just 13.9% of samples sent to the P.A. Groundhogs with test strip data, overall test strip usage is up. But it’s still worth it to Graves to use these strips as much as possible, even with usage flaws and false positives. “It’s a life saved with every strip,” they said. "If you know anybody who can use these, they can prevent them from having to use Narcan." Graves says that there's a knowledge gap at work here. Cities make Narcan and test strips available, but don't teach people how to use them. The instructions might also be inconsistent, depending on the brand of test strip. And results also vary by brand. "We expect people to figure it out," they said. ### How you can help. Harm reduction groups tend to have a free supply of testing strips on them. The Platia leaves testing strips at Maisy’s Meeting House in Old City and South Street Art Mart in Queen Village. We also have strips on Fridays at Mifflin Square Park at the free food picnic with Food Not Bombs and Punks With Lunch. The Everywhere Project and Prevention Point have test strips in Kensington, and these groups will give you hands-on training. Then you can carry some with you to give out in your own community. If you're going into recovery, or know someone that is, consider donating the rest of your supply to be tested, and submit your own test strip data. Every sample sent to the P.A. Groundhogs helps them understand how to help people. Have conversations about test strips. We can only destigmatize drug testing by speaking about it. Whether you know an infrequent drug user, go to parties, or just hang around in different communities, it’s helpful to have this item on you in case anyone needs it. Join Dr. Marya Lieberman from Notre Dame at virtual drop-in hours [twice monthly on the first and third Fridays of the month](https://www.facebook.com/hoosierhrc/posts/questions-about-false-positives-not-sure-about-brands-are-you-weighing-xylazine-/122126714361236853/) to learn more about test strip usage and ask any questions [from the lab that manages much of the research around these strips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hsMdegp62o&ref=theplatia.com). Donate to groups that hand out all the tools needed to test samples, or if you have your own space, include those items with test strips. That includes measuring cups, spoons and instructions printed on thicker paper, which give someone a tool to crush the drugs with. The easier it is to use test strips, the more people will use them, and the more we will know about keeping people alive. ## Philly Mutual Aid Volunteer Calendar: July 13 - 30th **Mon, July 13** Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 14** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 15** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 16** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Fri, July 17** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic with The Platia RSVP: adooling at gmail dot com **Sat, July 18** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering + donation drop-off 10am–12pm RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage Sharing Excess — three shifts: PWPM produce sorting 8–11am; Sharehouse packing/loading 9–11am (5109 Warren St); West Philly Pop-Up Distribution 11:45am–1:30pm (5200 Larchwood Ave) RSVP: pick a shift and sign up at [sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Sun, July 19** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food Homies Helping Homies — Wharton Square Park (2300 Wharton St), food distribution + community cleanup RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up Sunday morning Sunday Love Project — Sunday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Mon, July 20** Homies Helping Homies — possible Cross Street Table Distribution (confirm date) RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or email homieshelpinghomiesvolunteer@gmail.com Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 21** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 22** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 23** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Fri, July 24** South Philly Punks with Lunch & South Philly Food Not Bombs — Mifflin Square Park picnic distro (joint) RSVP: drop-in — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) or [@southphillyfoodnotbombs](https://www.instagram.com/southphillyfoodnotbombs/?ref=theplatia.com) to confirm and offer to help **Sat, July 25** The Everywhere Project — afternoon outreach, Kensington RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Homies Helping Homies — HHH Garage (2400 S 24th St), volunteering RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up to the garage Sharing Excess — three shifts: PWPM produce sorting 8–11am; Sharehouse packing/loading 9–11am (5109 Warren St); West Philly Pop-Up Distribution 11:45am–1:30pm (5200 Larchwood Ave) RSVP: pick a shift and sign up at [sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Sun, July 26** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food Homies Helping Homies — Wharton Square Park (2300 Wharton St), food distribution + community cleanup RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or just show up Sunday morning Sunday Love Project — Sunday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Mon, July 27** Homies Helping Homies — possible Cross Street Table Distribution (confirm date) RSVP: sign up via [SignUpGenius on their site](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com), or email homieshelpinghomiesvolunteer@gmail.com Sunday Love Project — Monday brunch service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Tue, July 28** Sunday Love Project — Tuesday dinner service, Church of the Holy Trinity (Rittenhouse) RSVP: sign up at [sundaylove.org/volunteer](https://sundaylove.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Wed, July 29** South Philly Punks with Lunch — 1:30–3:30pm, Broad & Snyder RSVP: drop-in, no signup needed — DM [@south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) if you want to bring/cook food The Everywhere Project — evening outreach, Love Park (Center City) RSVP: sign up at [everywhereproject.org/volunteer](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) **Thu, July 30** Sharing Excess — produce sorting, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 8–11am RSVP: sign up for a date at [sharingexcess.vomo.org](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) (runs Mon–Fri, dress warmly — it's a refrigerated warehouse) Books Through Bars — drop-in session, 6:30–8:30pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave (West Philly) RSVP: first-timers must attend an orientation — fill out the [individual volunteer form](https://airtable.com/appnyySODgHsATdgp/pagymOgtEYB1oyeop/form?ref=theplatia.com); oriented volunteers can just drop in **Also ongoing:** Sunday Love Project's Greater Goods free grocery store in Kensington needs volunteers every day it's open (about 3 people/day) — sign up for any date at [sundaylove.org/get-involved](https://sundaylove.org/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com). Most of these are informal, drop-in mutual aid distros rather than ticketed events — "RSVP" mainly means signing up for a volunteer shift or messaging ahead so they know to expect you. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and harm reduction journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Why we need to continue following the story of Camp Chloe URL: https://www.theplatia.com/why-we-need-to-continue-following-the-story-of-camp-chloe/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T00:47:14.000Z A few months ago I submitted [a Right-To-Know request](https://www.theplatia.com/how-you-can-file-a-right-to-know-request/) to the city of Philadelphia for information related to the removal of an encampment on the Delaware River Waterfront at Washington Avenue. The group living there, who call themselves Camp Chloe, held a press conference earlier in the year to explain that they didn’t feel proper services were being offered during cleanouts of the area. During the press conference, which was little more than a dozen residents with paper signs, a group of suited men stood around looking upset. I know enough that if a small group of powerless citizens attracts people with power who look upset, I should keep my eyes open. So, I’ve been following along with the movement of this encampment because it represents the shift in equality in a city that has the spotlight for the 250th anniversary of this country. [If you haven’t read my initial article on the press conference](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/), I’d encourage you to do that, and then come back here, because it lays the groundwork for some information I’m going to dissect below. But first, let’s talk about why I filed the RTK. A Right To Know request means anyone can ask the government for information related to public matters, like police body cam footage, city representative emails or licenses and health department reports on local businesses. I requested communications related to the encampment removal to try to understand why residents felt no services were offered to them. You'll note that some of these emails were filed before the current encampment was instituted. That means the president for how to deal with folks in this spot was being formed long before they arrived. With that in mind, it should be even easier to understand their needs and move them to a spot that fits those needs. But, these emails do not show that. Let's explore why. 💡 I will be teaching citizens how to file RTKs at the SPAC community market on June 27th. See the events page to sign up. A few weeks ago I heard back from the city’s records team, who granted my request and sent me three folders of documents related to the encampment. The files contained lots of emails with city representatives, as well as the private businesses that own the areas along the waterfront. There’s no smoking gun in these files that points to any one person or group doing anything blatantly vile or wrong. Instead, we can see dysfunction over how to provide long-term care for our most vulnerable. What we can see from the emails and discussions is that most of the concern happened on land managed by the [Delaware River Waterfront Co](https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/who-we-are/board-of-directors?ref=theplatia.com), a non-profit steward of the green space, with a board of directors composed of folks from banks, real estate agencies and Visit Philly tourism. The parcels of land owned by Bart Blatstein and K4 Philadelphia LLC are impacted (and have their own strife, being sold, undeveloped and sold again) but the land directly on the waterfront is most contested, and that is where the encampment took root. K4 Philadelphia LLC, a land management and development organization that was created for the sole purpose of buying and building 1341 South Christopher Columbus Avenue, is part of many conversations about the removal of people on the land. You can see some screenshots below from real estate developers with early plans for the area, and the green space along the water. But, none of that division of land really matters in the long term, because one of these private organizations was going to evict the encampment at some point anyway. That's why social services exists - to make sure this is done in a humane way that places people with the proper care. To take care of that land (not the people), [Eastern LLC](https://www.eastern-landscaping.com/?ref=theplatia.com), a landscaping and maintenance company, was on the grounds with the encampment weekly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-18-at-1.24.21-PM.png) Though the city says social services workers were present regularly (I called to confirm this), residents of Camp Chloe maintain that they were not and, in emails as early as March 2025 we can see residents saying they will not leave until they’ve spoken with an OHS representative. Through emails, it looks like much of communication with residents of Camp Chloe was with Eastern Landscaping, through signs, asking people to leave and putting up a fence around the space over and over again. We have to question why residents felt they were not presented with the staff they felt they needed, even if the city maintains that staff was present. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjp4uXlq1R/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Friends of Camp Chloe (@friendsofcampchloe)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjp4uXlq1R/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Through communications, the city does insist that the private organizations wait to schedule a clearing with social services groups, and requests an [ejectment](https://www.your-advocates.org/blog/2025/february/ejectment-vs-eviction-understanding-the-key-diff/?ref=theplatia.com) before any further action. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-18-at-1.25.19-PM.png) And that’s why I say again, no smoking gun. But the amount of questions leaves me concerned that this city doesn't have a longterm plan of care. **Why do I think this is important?** Most simply put: we do not have solid plans of how to take care of our most vulnerable citizens. Prices are rising, social services are slipping, and more people fall into that category every day. The city has done an incredible job building an economy out of visitors, with an inclusion in the [Michelin guide](https://www.wane.com/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-bring-the-michelin-guide-to-your-city/?ref=theplatia.com) ([which is not free](https://www.foodandwine.com/michelin-expansion-cities-cost-11986809?ref=theplatia.com)), events and conferences, and even [shooting down a hotel and airbnb tax increase](https://www.theplatia.com/the-27-budget-is-going-to-complicate-homeless-services/). That tax increase was earmarked to fund 1,000 shelter beds. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZXqivTuT5m/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZXqivTuT5m/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Even with new facilities opening around the city, including some that accomodate pets, unhoused residents have turned down site tours and are hesitant to enter shelters because of a breakdown of trust, and inhospitable, unhealthy environments in shelters and intake centers, [including bedbugs and sleeping on chairs](https://www.theplatia.com/phillys-shelter-system-is-broken-here-are-some-numbers-to-help-you-understand-it/). Where are the residents of Camp Chloe now? An advocate tells me that some have accepted offers for temporary housing, and some are still on the street. With [the PIT count of unhoused residents rising](https://www.phillyvoice.com/homelessness-philadelphia-point-in-time-count/?ref=theplatia.com), those 1,000 shelter beds missing and free resources disappearing, this encampment fight is important because it shows that we haven’t quite figured out how to translate tourism dollars into services for our own residents. **What can you do?** 💡 If you’d like to volunteer with The Platia to feed people in South Philly, reach out to me directly and I will help you find the right role. Get involved in mutual aid. Unhoused people will often trust people they see on the streets over city services. Advocates know where to meet them to provide health products and food and general care. Many of these residents lost all of their belongings in the camp sweep, [and can use basic donations to get through the day](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZFxQFJFnZW/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com). Keep talking to your local representatives about the rising cost of living in our city. Get educated on the numbers and bring data to your conversations. I will be following this further, too, because we haven't finished the conversation yet. *Thank you for reading. Your support helps me stay the course as an independent journalist* [*after years in mainstream newsrooms*](https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom/)*. If you found this helpful, please forward it to a friend, or* [*come out to the Friday free food picnics*](https://www.theplatia.com/about/) *I host with other mutual aid groups. All event attendees receive a community care packet to help them care for their own neighbors.* ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### The Philly Resource Hubs are moving URL: https://www.theplatia.com/the-philly-resource-hubs-are-moving/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T00:48:52.000Z As [previously reported](https://www.theplatia.com/help-save-phillys-resource-hubs/), the Department of Health Resource Hubs across Philly, which provided public health supplies, testing and emergency-need products, are closing. Some of the services offered will move to other locations, and some services will discontinue. Messaging from the city has been vague, and I will continue to monitor. The services will move to Neighborhood Community Action Centers, which function as mini city hall forums, where neighbors can bring up hyper local issues. These centers are run by community board members and you can find [a full list of locations with the Department of Health](https://www.phila.gov/programs/neighborhood-community-action-centers/?mc%5Fcid=c614433145&mc%5Feid=efe4bac493&ref=theplatia.com). Here's the former locations, and the nearest Neighborhood Community Action Center that will house the hubs. ### South Philadelphia Resource Hub Previously at 500 Snyder Ave. and closed in December, will relocate to the nearest NCAC at 1200 Carpenter St. ### Southwest Philadelphia Resource Hub Previously located at 5747 Warrington Ave. will relocate to the nearest NCAC at 6150 Cedar Ave. ### North Philadelphia Resource Hub Previously located at 200 E. Wyoming Ave. will relocate to the nearest NCAC at 3201 N. 5th St. ### South Street Resource Hub Previously located at 1700 South St. will relocate to the nearest NCAC at 1200 Carpenter St. ### West Philadelphia Resource Hub Previously located at 6006 W. Girard Ave. will relocate to the nearest NCAC at 5630 Vine St. Services that will be offered include STI and health screenings and harm reduction supplies. For other locations to secure harm reduction supplies, condoms, COVID tests, Plan B, sharps contains and other health items, [check with your nearest mutual aid group](https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups/). If they run a food distribution table, they likely have health supplies with them. ### Philadelphia is in a heat emergency but you can still help URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philadelphia-is-in-a-heat-emergency-but-you-can-still-help/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T19:26:21.000Z The Philadelphia Health Department has declared a heat health emergency. A heat emergency is called when This kind of declaration is made when temperatures and humidity reach levels that can put vulnerable people, like those with chronic illness or the elderly, at high risk for medical emergencies. Meaning, people who are vulnerable and alone need our help. Here are things to know during a heat emergency. ### Utility non-payments are paused during a heat emergency First and most importantly, your air conditioner will not be shut off during the heat emergency because overdue payments are [suspended during that time](https://www.phila.gov/2026-06-10-health-department-declares-heat-health-emergency-to-begin-thursday-june-11-at-11-a-m-through-friday-june-12-at-8-p-m/?ref=theplatia.com). Do not turn your air conditioner off and put yourself in danger just because of a bill. ### The cooling centers and pools are open Philadelphia has over 60 free pools and splash pads open to cool you off during hot days. [Find a list here](https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/?ref=theplatia.com#/locations/swimming-pools). Free Library locations, like the South Philadelphia Library, Parkway Central Library, Logan Library and Walnut West, are certified cooling centers. Spend your day reading books in the chilly library. The Parks Department has cooling centers at East Passyunk Rec Center, Barry Playground, and the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center. Prevention Point and Sunshine House, in Kensington, join [the list of Philadelphia cooling centers open for anyone to utilize for free](https://www.phila.gov/2023-07-26-what-happens-when-the-city-declares-a-heat-health-emergency/?ref=theplatia.com). ### Know who to call in an emergency The city has a Heatline at (215) 765-9040, open from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m., which was created to route possible emergencies based on the heat. With the case of relatives and neighbors, have their doctors numbers handy, especially if they have a chronic ailment that is exacerbated by heat. The warning signs of heat exhaustion are confusion, heavy sweating, dizziness and nausea. Keeping an eye on neighbors and relatives ensures that you get ahead of these emergencies. ### Mutual aid groups will be handing out water: Join a "bottle brigade" Several mutual aid groups in Philly, like Food Not Bombs, put together *bottle brigades* to hand out water during the heat emergency. In text groups, they coordinate funds, figure out who will secure bottles, who will freeze them and get ice packs, and pick a route where people congregate in the city. With wagons, cars and boxes, they give those cold water bottles out to anyone who needs them. Volunteers can donate, transport, or be part of the team handing-out on the street. If you are able to join the street team, can donate ice packs or help purchase water in bulk, or can just help them out, [check here for more information on mutual aid services](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQK1dOFFDq/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com) during the heat emergency in South Philly, [here for Germantown](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaN8iRxMQlT/?ref=theplatia.com), and [here for fridges in a variety of areas](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaK4bCyOOXl/?ref=theplatia.com). You only need to do as much as you can in the heat. **Message me directly to add you to a current bottle brigade chat.** > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaS-2kwuIMu/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaS-2kwuIMu/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Get the free volunteering newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Behind the scenes of free food distribution URL: https://www.theplatia.com/behind-the-scenes-of-free-food-distribution/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T00:56:41.000Z ## (and volunteer ops for the week) Most Fridays, The Platia [joins mutual aid groups](https://www.theplatia.com/reporters-notebook-food-redistribution/), Food Not Bombs and Punks With Lunch, for a picnic in South Philly where we distribute free food and talk about harm reduction on a local level. These Mifflin Square Park picnics are a blast. **(We're always looking for more volunteers, so please reach out to adooling at gmail dot com if you'd like to come!)** Someone brings a speaker for music. We make hot dogs. People bring clothes and books to swap. Sometimes there’s iced tea, if we can carry it. Sometimes there’s hamburgers, if we can get them down there. There’s some pastries, some bagels and breads from generous bakery donations. There are a few regulars who adore sweets and we hold some for them. Last week for example, a surprise delivery from [Killer Brownies](https://www.dorothylane.com/category/killer-brownie?utm%5Fterm=&utm%5Fcampaign=SPD+-+Performance+Max+-++Killer+Brownies&utm%5Fsource=adwords&utm%5Fmedium=ppc&hsa%5Facc=5435412886&hsa%5Fcam=19634868919&hsa%5Fgrp=&hsa%5Fad=&hsa%5Fsrc=x&hsa%5Ftgt=&hsa%5Fkw=&hsa%5Fmt=&hsa%5Fnet=adwords&hsa%5Fver=3&gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=22593024193&gbraid=0AAAAAD9d7yr4EC1aN6rKqbYjdEHtSUlLY&gclid=Cj0KCQjwio%5FRBhDMARIsAJPveNMM0FEBTU-xUxRxrDehWmd13oLEqyMkLlYwWnnenXNjAsTWOIQY2S0aAt6LEALw%5FwcB) made everyone’s day. But, there’s also produce. Lots and lots of free produce. We pick it up that morning and carry it to the park, packing as much as we can in our own cars. Because fresh food belongs to everyone. Fresh produce is the most popular item by far. There are many [myths about what people living on the poverty line eat](https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/myths-facts-about-homelessness/?ref=theplatia.com). So let’s talk about what I see people wanting the most. First, I want to be very clear, again: food is for everyone. And the produce give-away is not only for people who cannot get food elsewhere. Mutual aid means the community takes care of the community. And so, if you forgot to go grocery shopping, or are exhausted from a long week, or didn’t know you wanted snap peas until you saw them at our distro, they are yours – no questions asked. Still, there are people who come to the picnic who live in multi-generational homes, are in recovery, have just come out of the hospital, or have no steady home where they can heat food up. I’ve heard every amalgamation of home life you could possibly consider, from folks at the park. [There are so many reasons people can go hungry](https://moveforhunger.org/blog/common-misconceptions-about-hunger-us?ref=theplatia.com). How does the food get to the park? Some of the mutual aid groups that put together the distro have relationships with major charities that help sort out extra food. That means we sign up for extra breads and snacks from supermarkets like Acme, or bakeries, and over-ripe produce from the wholesale produce market. These foods are from damaged containers, or just over the sell-by date, and would otherwise be thrown in the trash. Through group coordination, everyone picks a distributor to claim food from, and we all set out on Friday mornings to get the food. Last week I got up early to drive across the city to the wholesale produce market, park alongside trucks four-times the size of my little hatchback, and wait for the produce to come out. I pack all the crates and boxes of food into my car, doing the Jenga to make sure as much as possible fits, so someone doesn’t go hungry today. That food can include bananas, tomatoes, pears, cabbage, heads of lettuce, cucumbers, corn, snap peas, and more. Most of it is near-fresh, not mushy or destroyed. I drive the produce back to my home. I park in the shade, grab a quick snack because lifting those boxes is not a joke, check my emails and check the mutual aid chat for any last-minute emergency needs if there’s room in my car. Sometimes there is. Most of the time, I can’t even fit everything in my car and have to decide what to throw away. And shortly after that, I’m on the road to the park to offload the boxes and arrange them on tables for distribution. Thankfully, on this side, I have hands to help. The scene at the park is cooperative. Some “guests” help offload crates and boxes that they see I cannot carry. Other volunteers are always ready, setting up tables, barbecues, water and iced tea. And maybe 30 minutes later we’re ready for guests to come up and fill their bags with whatever they want. The produce always goes first. Lately, there are guests bickering over produce, or trying to grab more than we’d like them to take (so that everyone can have some). It’s obvious that people are getting hungrier and this is one of the only places to get fresh vegetables in their budget. After the produce goes, we try to convince folks to take beautiful donated loaves of bread to share with friends and relatives. We make sure they’ve had a hot dog and a sweet, like cakes or cookies. Sometimes we play soccer. Sometimes someone has a more serious need and we help as best we can, or put them in touch with someone who can help. But we always feed them, at the least. Any leftover bread or non-perishables go into the South Philadelphia Food Pantry located in the park, where neighbors can come back later to peruse. Sometimes we take them home; I’ve definitely had a few bagels from the picnics myself. Of course, at heart this is harm reduction outreach, and it’s not always pretty. People are in pain and in bad situations. Sometimes fights happen. Sometimes people bring their troubles with them. But the idea of shared food creates a community bond. We might be on one side of the table, but we’re also eating hot dogs with them, playing soccer, swapping books and stories. It’s a chance to meet and understand people you’d never meet elsewhere, and maybe get a snap pea recipe you wouldn’t try on your own. When I hear the uneducated expound on rumors that people in poverty don’t want fresh food, or they’re looking for candy or fast junk, I think of these outreaches. I think of the look of concentration on peoples faces as they pick the right eggplant or ask to come back around again for a few more bananas, or their kids light up when they see oranges. Feeding people food that gives them nutrients is a form of power. A way to help them stay strong for fights ahead, and that ability shouldn’t just belong to people who can pay rising prices for vegetables. They come out of the ground, and they belong to all of us. **Now I'm inviting you to come along. If you want to see the pipeline of food redistribution, come on a drive with me to the warehouse and back to outreach. Reach out to me to join on my next pick-up.** 💡 If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to someone new! Every new person helps me grow this community. I appreciate you endlessly. --- ## What You Can Do A small thing: Always pack up untouched leftovers, especially protein from big platters that can be divided up or given to folks on the street. Another small thing: Pay-it-forward by leaving herbs or veggies on your stoop or at a community meeting place for someone to find. --- ## Philly Mutual Aid — June 10 through 28 ### Wednesday, June 10 – Night time outreach with The Everywhere Project (6:45 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) The Everywhere Project sets up a dozen tables on the corner of LOVE Park to distribute hot food, sandwiches, water, clothing and harm reduction supplies. [Sign up here](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). ### Friday, June 12 – Food distribution with Food Not Bombs and Punks With Lunch (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Join these two mutual aid groups, and The Platia for the weekly picnic at Mifflin Square Park. Reach out to me for orientation and what to know, or if you want to bring some food. Everyone is welcome. ### Sunday, June 14 – Harm reduction kits with The Everywhere Project (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Learn about the items that make up harm reduction kits at the studio of The Everywhere Project, and create some kits that will be given out at future outreaches. [Sign up here](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). ### Wednesday, June 17 – Harm reduction outreach with Punks With Lunch (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Join Punks With Lunch for their usual distro at Broad and Snyder, with harm reduction materials, food, and other supplies. Message them on Instagram if you want to cook food for the outreach or for an introduction to their other work. ### Friday, June 19 – Harm reduction outreach with Food Not Bombs and Punks With Lunch (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Join these two mutual aid groups, and The Platia for the weekly picnic at Mifflin Square Park. Reach out to me for orientation and what to know, or if you want to bring some food. Everyone is welcome. ### Saturday, June 20 – Outreach with Savage Sisters (9:30 p.m. - Midnight) Savage Sisters gives out wrapped food and drinks, clothing and emergency items at Kensington Ave & Somerset Streets on the third Saturday of each month. [Register here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1siVrn4l4iY9RoprSOBgeRDCo6drQO7-ysrVhWPQjEVk/viewform?edit%5Frequested=true&ref=theplatia.com#responses). ### Sunday, June 21 – Harm reduction outreach with Punks With Lunch (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Join Punks With Lunch for their usual distro at Broad and Snyder, with harm reduction materials, food, and other supplies. Message them on Instagram if you want to cook food for the outreach or for an introduction to their other work. ### Saturday, June 27 – Clothing swap at Crossroads Philadelphia (12 p.m. - 3 p.m.) Join several Philly feminist organizations at 5011 Wayne Avenue for a clothing and resource swap. Medical and public health items will be on-hand, and this event is for everyone. [Find out more here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DY15iFEFkLd/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com). ### Sunday, June 28 – Learn Pet CPR with BarkPark Philly (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) Not a volunteer opportunity, but just as important: learn animal CPR and emergency response techniques with BarkPark Philly. The cost is steep for this one, $75, but proceeds go to Stray Cat Relief. [More info here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZKh5oQO8wN/?ref=theplatia.com). *Reach out if you have any questions, have something I should look into, or want to talk about mutual aid.* *Thanks as always,* Annemarie Keep local civic media going by sending me a small donation if you liked this article. The Platia is non-profit and donations go toward food outreach in Philly. [Donate directly to me at this link ](https://venmo.com/u/Annemarie-Dooling?ref=theplatia.com) ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Get the free volunteering newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### The '27 budget is going to complicate homeless services URL: https://www.theplatia.com/the-27-budget-is-going-to-complicate-homeless-services/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:00:17.000Z As I wrote a few weeks ago, [leaky roofs and bedbugs push people to sleep on the street](https://www.theplatia.com/phillys-shelter-system-is-broken-here-are-some-numbers-to-help-you-understand-it/) instead of staying in a Philadelphia shelter — and that's only if a bed is even available. It could soon get harder to find any space at all. Earlier this year, Mayor Cherelle Parker[ unveiled a budget](https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-parker-city-council-budget-reject-tax-proposals/?ref=theplatia.com) called the[ One Philly Plan](https://www.phila.gov/2026-03-12-mayor-parker-unveils-6-97-billion-one-philly-one-future-fiscal-year-2027-budget-five-year-plan-proposal/?ref=theplatia.com) that included tax increases aimed at directing visitor spending toward social services for Philadelphians. Those proposals included a $1-per-ride tax on rideshares like Uber and Lyft, and a hotel tax increase — originally proposed at 2% and later revised down to a 0.6% hotel tax increase paired with a 6% surcharge on short-term rentals like Airbnb – one of the highest short-term rental tax rates in the country. The hotel tax revenue would fund 1,000 additional shelter beds across the city. Last week, her $7.1 billion budget was approved by Philadelphia City Council, without those tax increases. That means the roughly $20 million a year intended for public safety and homelessness services will now have to come from existing revenue rather than new taxes. The rideshare tax revenue that would have benefited schools is being found elsewhere, but no alternative source has been announced for the homelessness funding. When there are no available beds or safe shelter options — including facilities that keep families together or allow children and pets — unhoused people remain on the street. Increasingly, the communities that unhoused people form to share resources and stay safer are being broken up by city sweeps and displacement. That scatters people to other parts of the city, further from organizations like Prevention Point and Food Not Bombs that provide harm reduction, food, and safety. The[ 2025 Point-in-Time count](https://www.phila.gov/media/20260121120749/ohs-pit-count-summary-report-2025.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) reflects this pattern: it shows a decline in the unhoused population in Kensington alongside an increase in Market East, suggesting people were displaced southward into Center City, closer to Old City, Society Hill, Queen Village and other areas that are not prepared for that population with limited social service resources. Pushing people who depend on public health resources away from those resources — and into neighborhoods where residents may not know how to respond to public health emergencies — creates a dangerous situation. It also makes it significantly harder to connect people with services and help them toward a better quality of life. **What can you do?** Donate to organizations that support unhoused people and those in recovery. More funding helps them expand outreach and get people off the street. Consider [Sunshine House](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tXfO3sJlr/?ref=theplatia.com) or[ Prevention Point](https://www.preventionpoint.org/?ref=theplatia.com). Learn how to use Narcan.[ The Platia](https://www.theplatia.com/) offers low-cost training every other month in Old City. We also offer free Narcan, sharps containers, and other public health items free of charge. Having Narcan on hand is one of the most direct ways to give someone another chance. Contact your City Council member and let them know you want the budget to prioritize organizations working with unhoused Philadelphians. Without new revenue coming in, advocates will have to fight hard to make sure existing funds address the shelter shortage. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Philly Mutual Aid & Volunteering - May 28 through June 7 URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-mutual-aid-volunteering-may-28-through-june-7/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:02:24.000Z Hi everyone. May has been a really big month and I am so happy to have you here. Please read up on why The Platia [believes that mutual aid and information will save the world](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/) and message me if you have thoughts and want to chat about it! I was out at two conferences over the past two weeks, discussing service journalism and what the community really needs: not talking heads that show crime stats, but ways for everyone to be empowered. A lot of discussions made me – a notorious cynic – feel positive. I also got a call from the city updating me on [my Right To Know request](https://www.theplatia.com/how-you-can-file-a-right-to-know-request/) over the encampment called Camp Chloe behind Walmart in Penn's Landing. The people who were living there had [good reasons to not enter the shelter system](https://www.theplatia.com/phillys-shelter-system-is-broken-here-are-some-numbers-to-help-you-understand-it/), and [since my initial report](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/), I've found more information that points to the blatant mistreatment of our fellow citizens without due process. As that RTK info comes through, I will share it with you. Here are the mutual aid events, volunteer opportunities and ways to give back this week. Tell me if you attend any of them. --- ### **📅 Philly Mutual Aid — Day by Day** ### **Thurs, May 28 – Grocery Distribution at Prevention Point** On the last Thursday of the month, you can help distribute groceries to over 85 families in Kensington. Reach out to Amira at [acason@ppponline.org](mailto:acason@ppponline.org) to be assigned a shift. For the other Prevention Point programs, sign up at ppponline.org/services/volunteering. #### **Fri, May 29 – First Aid Training at The Wooden Shoe Bookstore (6-9 p.m.)** Join the Philly Action Ready Coalition for a first aid class. No experience is required, and you will not get a certificate, just basic info to help your community. Sign up here: [https://woodenshoebooks.org/index.php/events](https://woodenshoebooks.org/index.php/events?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Sat, May 30 – Rooted Futures at the Village of Arts and Humanities** This is a ticketed event that will go towards the future of The Village, which supports equitable futures for artists. Brunch and other food will be served, and you can enjoy music and art. More here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYsk2bnlHTX/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYsk2bnlHTX/?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Sun, May 31 – Public Health Supplies at Zine Fest (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.)** Visit Zine Fest at Clark Park from 3-5 p.m. to talk to Sepas about public health supplies and what you can do to help. They’ll be giving out COVID tests, safe sex items and wound care kits. Read more here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYxOMxJFfp6/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYxOMxJFfp6/?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Sun, May 31 – Rewilding Philly Presents Kensington Field Day (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)** Join the community at 2717 Jasper Street for free food music and discussion about public spaces. Read more here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYpOAlqnKNx](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYpOAlqnKNx?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Mon, June 1 – Coffee Talk at Iffy Books** At The Platia we believe sitting down over coffee is a way to bridge differences. Iffy Books offers a free coffee session, to meet new friends and discuss challenges across the city. Find out more here: [https://iffybooks.net/series/coffee-talk/](https://iffybooks.net/series/coffee-talk/?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Tues, June 2 – Gather Cookbook Donations for Books Through Bars** This West Philly-based mutual aid organization collects books to send to incarcerated folks, and they frequently have specific requests. This week they need cookbooks, so spend your day looking through your shelves, and coordinating with family and friends to gather a few for donation. You can drop them off with BtB and sign up for one of their donation processing workshops. Find out more here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYxYJe6mmZJ/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYxYJe6mmZJ/?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Wed, June 3 – Walk Ludwig from Street Tails.** Ludwig has been looking for a family for over 400 days. While he’s settling into his foster home, reach out to take him for a walk. So many folks in the community have stepped in to provide him walks and snacks, he belongs to all of us now. Reach out to Street Tails here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0slEDjD\_0/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0slEDjD%5F0/?ref=theplatia.com) #### **Thurs, June 4 – Philly Food Rescue Pickups** Use the free Philly Food Rescue app to volunteer to pick up surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers markets and deliver it to community fridges and pantries. You should have your own vehicle and be able to pick up boxes, but you can also pick smaller donations if heavy boxes are a problem. Download the app and sign up to begin: [https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/our-programs/philly-food-rescue/](https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/our-programs/philly-food-rescue/?ref=theplatia.com) #### ***Fri, June 5 – South Philly Punks With Lunch Picnic*** ***Join us on Fridays for a mutual aid picnic. We’ll give produce out to the community, swap books, make hot dogs and listen to music. If you are a beginner to mutual aid, reach out and I will meet you here. We meet around 1:30 p.m. for a 2 p.m. distro. Reply directly to this email and I will coordinate with you.*** #### **Sun, June 7 – Homies Helping Homies Food and Bike Repair (10 a.m.)** Homies Helping Homies will be distributing food and household items starting at 10 a.m. with bike repair work happening around 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m at Wharton Square Park. Read more here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYxMZaFOUEx --- ### One Small Thing You Can Do... Go Out This Week If you're stir crazy for happy hour, and want to put money back in the community, FCM Hospitality group, which owns a handful of bars across the city, has a rainbow-themed bar crawl benefiting the Delaware Valley Fund, supporting the challenges of LGBTQ+ citizens in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. The drinks are kitschy: a green Ecto Cooler with pear vodka and melon liquor at Concourse Dance Bar, the Out To Sea with blueberry vodka, blue curacao and lemonade at Dolphin Tavern, a Liquid Persuasion gin and purple butterfly pea tea cocktail, the Margarita Negra at either Rosy’s location, and pink Hibiscus Lemonade with vodka at any Parks on Tap location. Find their locations [on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fcmhospitalityandevents/?ref=theplatia.com). You can also pay-it-forward by attending the [Anti-ICE Supper Club by Roads and Kingdoms](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYkCh8vDROc/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com), with two dates: June 1 at Honeysuckle and June 4 at Post Haste. Net proceeds from both dinners go directly to [Juntos](https://www.instagram.com/vamos%5Fjuntos%5F/?ref=theplatia.com). Finally, May 28th through 31st is the St. George Greek Festival in Center City at 8th and Locust. The Platia is based on the way Greek villages communicate over problems in the town square with a meal, and the Greek community is infamous for inviting everyone in - as long as you eat. So find the nearest yiayia, grab a Greek coffee and make new friends. Read more here: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWC1BFAjeo6/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWC1BFAjeo6/?ref=theplatia.com) Thanks for reading. Let me know if this was helpful. Every "thumbs up" helps! Annemarie ### A Philly cafe with a pay-it-forward program URL: https://www.theplatia.com/mutual-aid-during-your-coffee-run/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:06:56.000Z One small thing you can do right now? Buy someone a coffee. *\*Some of you are receiving this for the first time as* [*you've been moved from one email list to this one*](https://goodnightcommenters.substack.com/p/happiness-is-not-separate-from-the)*. I won't be offended if you unsubscribe! If you want a better understanding of what you're in for,* [*read here*](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/) *or reply directly!* One of the core beliefs of my work is believing that you can have a happy life while also sharing resources with your community. Mutual aid is an "and" situation, not an "or." I've written a lot about how shared meals are one of the [most direct paths toward building community bonds](https://www.instagram.com/p/DV9ELJijspQ/?ref=theplatia.com), and I love when businesses exemplify how you can help someone out while also enjoying yourself. A few weeks ago I visited [The Underbite Bites bakery in Queen Village](https://www.instagram.com/underbitebites/?ref=theplatia.com) to talk about how their cafe has become a community hub. From neighborhood flyers to books to comfy couches to photos of local dogs, everyone is represented in the space. But I was even more inspired by the bakery's pay-it-forward program, in which visitors can buy a coffee and pastry, or coffee and sandwich, for someone who can't afford their own. Rather than charity, this is an act of mutual aid. While coming in for one of its infamous vegan pop tarts, you can throw in a few extra dollars and make sure that someone's bad day instantly gets better with a free meal. No one needs to prove they are in need, and anyone can take a pay-it-forward tag off the wall and submit it at the register. It could be someone experiencing homelessness, or someone who just lost their job, or even someone who just really needs a pick-me-up. This is how we take care of each other. Watch my interview with Rae Krueger below and stop in to **The Underbite Bites at 806 S 6th Street in Philly**. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYMtDNOO7Qp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYMtDNOO7Qp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## **Other ways to get involved right now:** The Sunday Love Project is [looking for hygiene items](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYmnGPtoFN4/?ref=theplatia.com). Ludwig has been [looking for a home for 400 days](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYkw4Ththp0/?ref=theplatia.com). Why not take him for a walk? [Mutual aid groups are crowdfunding](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQK1dOFFDq/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com) for high-need hot weather supplies. The Roads and Kingdoms [Anti-ICE Supper Club](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYkCh8vDROc/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com) is coming to Honeysuckle and Post Haste next month, to benefit Juntos. [Free jazz concerts are coming to Philly parks](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYe6VSSESI6/?ref=theplatia.com), and shared musical experiences are a great way to meet your neighbors. This [free community garden](https://www.threads.com/@nappycurls%5F%5F/post/DYmjE1%5Flp0F?ref=theplatia.com) could use some kids supplies and they have a wishlist. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism as mutual aid. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Philly Volunteer Opportunities: May 15 - 23 URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-volunteer-opportunities-may-15-23/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:09:49.000Z Here's a list of programs I've personally been a part of, or know folks who have. These are vetted as one-time and newcomer friendly, but also have more permanent opportunities. Reach out to me (adooling at gmail dot com) if you have any questions. And remember to have fun! *Oh, and a hot tip: Many employers actually allow you to take a volunteer day. So, if you see an opportunity that interests you, but it's during a weekday, ask if your employer has that program. You won't be penalized for doing good work in the community.* #### Friday, May 15 – Love Your Park: Reservoir Fence Replacement Discovery Center at Strawberry Mansion Reservoir, East Fairmount Park from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM It’s Love Your Park week, where you can sign up to make nice lots of Philly’s parks. This fence event will focus on replacing the old reservoir fence. You should be able to cut, carry and dispose of sections of chain link fence. Gloves and tools will be provided. Register:[ discoveryphila.org](https://www.discoveryphila.org/calendar-of-events/2026/5/15/love-your-park-workday?ref=theplatia.com)[ ](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-friends-of-the-wissahickon,236251649/?ref=theplatia.com) #### Sunday, May 17 – CARP: Hot Food Distribution at Kensington & Lehigh Aves 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CARP distributes hot meals, coffee, hygiene supplies, and harm reduction kits weekly on Sundays in Kensington. Get more info here: [https://www.instagram.com/communityactionreliefproject](https://www.instagram.com/communityactionreliefproject?ref=theplatia.com) #### Sunday, May 17 - Homies Helping Homies Mutual Aid at Wharton Sq. Park From around 9:00 AM - Noon Homies Helping Homies organizes weekly food distribution at Wharton Park in Point Breeze. Get more info here: [https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FADA728AAFBC52-53042427-homies?useFullSite=true#/](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FADA728AAFBC52-53042427-homies?useFullSite=true&ref=theplatia.com#/) #### Monday, May 18 - Sharing Excess Food Program at Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM Volunteers sort produce donations to be picked up and redistributed by many of other groups listed in these volunteer ops. Runs Monday through Friday mornings. Register here: [https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm](https://sharingexcess.vomo.org/opportunity/sorting-at-pwpm?ref=theplatia.com) #### Wednesday, May 20 - Wissahickon Valley Park Stewardship Morning with Friends of the Wissahickon 9:00 AM - Noon This weekly event includes trash clean-ups and planting site maintenance. Register here:[ fow.org/volunteering/workinthepark](https://fow.org/volunteering/workinthepark/?ref=theplatia.com)[ ](https://wanderlog.com/place/details/14931605/philabundance?ref=theplatia.com) #### Thursday, May 21 - Share Food Program Prep Share Food Program Warehouse at 3111 W. Allegheny Ave., North Philly 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Share Food Program has many ways to volunteer, including warehouse prep where you’ll be doing the heavy labor of cleaning, moving boxes and readying the line for packing. Register here: https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/get-involved/packing/ #### Friday, May 22 - Punks With Lunch Food Distribution at Mifflin Square Park 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM This weekly food distribution is great for first-timers because of the picnic atmosphere and familiarity of tasks. This is my personal weekly distro site. Get more info here: [https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch?ref=theplatia.com) #### Saturday, May 23 - Cradles to Crayons: The Giving Factory Cradles to Crayons at 4700 Wissahickon Ave, Suite 142, East Falls Sort through gently-used clothing donations to pack up for kids in the community. Register here: [cradlestocrayons.org/philadelphia/take-action/volunteer](https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/philadelphia/take-action/volunteer/?ref=theplatia.com) Looking for another way to help? You can buy a pay-it-forward meal for someone at Underbite Bites Cafe. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYMtDNOO7Qp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYMtDNOO7Qp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Reach out with any volunteer sessions or questions. *Annemarie* ### Philly's shelter system is broken. Here are some numbers to help you understand it. URL: https://www.theplatia.com/phillys-shelter-system-is-broken-here-are-some-numbers-to-help-you-understand-it/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:11:31.000Z And how to look for the helpers. During volunteer sessions at food distribution sites, a question that new volunteers frequently ask me is why people choose to live on the street when there’s a shelter system set up for them. After all, the city has made significant investments to aid the homelessness crisis in Philadelphia. If you're unfamiliar with homelessness, it can be baffling that there are 5,000 individuals counted as “chronically homeless” by the city (via the [January 2025](https://www.phila.gov/media/20260121120749/ohs-pit-count-summary-report-2025.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) PIT count), up 6% over 2024\. About 1,000 of those individuals chose to sleep on the streets rather than go to a shelter – up 21% from 2024\. **It’s** [**the fourth year in a row**](https://www.phillyvoice.com/homelessness-philadelphia-point-in-time-count/?ref=theplatia.com) **that the homeless population has increased.** But, let's try to understand these numbers better. Several of the most prominent shelters in Philly (like House of Passage and Center for Hope) are city-funded. These are managed by a vendor called Gaudenzia. Guadenzia is going through some interesting changes right now: 2024 brought a change in leadership with a new CEO taking their position. But before that CEO was in their role, the previous one made over $500,000 in base salary, bonus, and exit or transitional fees in just nine months of the 2024 fiscal year. **The city has made a partnership with Guadenzia for a brand-new facility in Holmesburg called the Riverview Wellness Village.** Where else is Mayor Parker putting money toward homelessness? - The administration currently has [budgeted about $40 million](https://billypenn.com/2026/03/02/new-homeless-shelter-philadelphia-cherelle-parker/?ref=theplatia.com) to the shelter system for the fiscal year up to June 2026. - In the 2027 budget, Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to add 1,000 more shelter beds by implementing [a 2% increase in tax on hotel stays](https://www.phila.gov/2026-04-02-philly-forward-proposed-fy27-investments-in-philadelphias-future/?ref=theplatia.com)– a five-year plan she says could bring in $22M in 2027, and overall upwards of $100M. - Additionally, that budget includes [a $200 million investment](https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2026/03/philly-mayor-parkers-7b-budget-numbers/412077/?ref=theplatia.com) over five years for the [Riverview Wellness Village](https://www.gaudenzia.org/location/gaudenzia-at-riverview-wellness-village/?ref=theplatia.com), the city-owned recovery center operated by Guadenzia. - Line items in the operating budget include extending hours at shelters, an encampment resolution team, additional food allowances for emergency shelters and six custodial staffers on the Kensington resolution team. This sounds like a lot of money, but the shelters themselves tell a different story. Advocates, like the Friends of Camp Chloe, who keep us updated on the encampment behind the Walmart pier, and Philly People of Hope, keep tabs on the situations inside shelters, from conversations directly with people impacted. For example, residents of Camp Chloe mentioned that shelters will split up families, or remove your beloved pets. And Philly People of Hope has documented conditions inside shelters for the last few months, highlighting leaky roofs, bolted windows, and even bed bugs. Though there are no specific complaints listed in public health department portals, the photos posted by advocacy groups look real and are verified by other commenters staying at those shelters across Instagram, closed Facebook groups and message boards. House of Passage, a 30-bed emergency shelter that offers addiction treatment services, has unverified comments on message boards that mention unresponsive staff, inedible food, [sleeping in chairs](https://whyy.org/articles/outside-looking-in-women-fight-eviction-date-from-local-homeless-shelter-while-mens-side-stays-open/?ref=theplatia.com) and safety issues. In a section asking for advice for those looking to move into this shelter, one commenter said, “Don't do it unless it's your last and only resource.” With city money moving into the new Guadenzia resource center in Holmesburg, we can only hope some of those 1,000 new beds might be devoted to House of Passage. In the meantime, there are things you can do to help your neighbors who may be considering sleeping in a shelter. - Carry a “blessings bag,” a term that’s been popularized by religious outreach groups, but it’s simply a small bag with hygiene items. You can get bulk toothbrush kits with toothpaste, bars of soap, shampoo, condition and body wipes online, pack them in baggies and dispense them when you see someone in need. - Carry a wound care kit. Similar to the “blessings bags” above, you can create wound care kits with bandaids, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze pads, antibiotic ointment and a pack of Ibuprofen. This can help folks who cannot access immediate medical help to prevent infection. - Cash is still king, but gift cards to convenience stores, and phone calling cards are helpful for feeding people and connecting them to families. - Organize a food redistribution network where your neighbors compile unopened cans and snacks that you can pass on to pantries and street fridges. There's a food pantry or outreach site nearly every day in this city, and so many places to redistribute your unwanted, unopened food. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Why videos making light of addiction harm the entire community URL: https://www.theplatia.com/mehmet-oz-is-in-kensington-and-i-wish-hed-leave/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:12:34.000Z When celebrities use our communities to make a point of making themselves look like saviors, our most vulnerable are who suffer. Case-in-point: I was flooded with texts this week about the Dr. Mehmet Oz videos from Philly. In the videos Oz, the doctor known for [promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/19/nx-s1-5196969/dr-oz-trump-cms?ref=theplatia.com) as well as other [unsafe medical practices](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/26/us/politics/dr-oz-medical-advice.html?ref=theplatia.com), walks the streets of Kensington, picking out people in states of duress and asking them questions they are not in a position or condition to answer, and about the state of the city, the science of drugs and recovery. In one video, a man yells to arrest everyone involved in drug use. In another, a woman explains her fear of the recovery system. Both residents are hounded for more information and neither are experts in these areas and can't verbalize this complicated topic, but they can tell their own personal stories. But the stilted language gives Oz the chance to speak over them, to show that he knows more than them and has all the answers. He alone knows how to fix the challenges of addiction, he wants us to believe. We can help you right now, he tells one woman, though experts know the road to recovery is long. With him, Oz brings Rock Ministries, who advocacy groups have sounded the alarm on for their intimidation and fear tactics, and Christianity-based recovery program with little scientific basis. If you've been to Kensington, you've seen them around. The volunteer-based chaplains of Rock Ministries travel in packs in their bright vests. They speak loudly to people in vulnerable shape, ensuring them that they can "help you right now," as they say in the Oz video. An investigation from [The Kensington Voice](https://www.kensingtonvoice.com/philly-police-lean-on-kensington-chaplain-squad-and-christian-facilities-to-move-people-toward-addiction-treatment/?ref=theplatia.com) shows that Rock Ministries is the police department and Mayor Parker's chosen advocacy partner, even though their recovery is based in Christianity over science, saying, "police use Rock Ministries as an outreach resource in addition to the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) and Office of Homeless Services (OHS), which also connect people to third-party treatment providers." T[hey are given priority](https://www.kensingtonvoice.com/philly-police-kensington-church-encampment-resolution/?ref=theplatia.com) access to reach people over other treatment professionals. They act as a pipeline, routing drug users to other Christianity-based programs over scientifically proven medical programs. So, it makes total sense that Oz would create a video with city police and Rock Ministries. I won't link to the videos. Views embolden this type of content creation. And as Oz aims to make himself look like a hero pulling people off the streets, there is damage happening in this community from this video alone. Videos that show open air drug markets make a joke out of the larger drug crisis. A recent TikTok video of a Michael Jackson impersonator dancing at the intersection of Kensington and Allegheny had comments laughing at the "zombies" portraying zombie actors from the Thriller music video; zombies, of course, is slang for people crouched over from drug use. When we make content of people who cannot defend themselves or truly consent, we're making a joke out of a system built by our own medical companies and we're hurting those people. The industry relies on you believing it's their fault, not that this can happen to anyone. We laugh at the people at the bottom of the pyramid, while trivializing the non-existent ethics at the top. It's why drug companies [already have funds set up for future settlements](https://ag.ny.gov/nys-opioid-settlement?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=Ending%20New%20York's%20opioid%20crisis,$458.2%20million%20to%20New%20York.); they know lawsuits are coming and can simply pay to keep us all quiet [and rematerialize in puff pieces](https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/purdue-pharma-knoa-opioid-pain-drug-settlement/819359/?ref=theplatia.com). Showing Kensington in this light also promotes fear. It creates a sense of panic for the local public, exemplified in the Oz video by a car driving by yelling "Dr. Oz, clean it up!" When we host Narcan trainings, the question of safety always comes up: is it safe to administer Narcan to a large man on the sidewalk, if you're a tiny woman? I never get tired of hearing that of course you are safe. People in the throws of an overdose don't have the energy nor impetus to hurt you - they are actively suffering. Portrayal of Kensington in the media goes further than Oz, of course. He's just one more youTube video in a line of creators using Philadelphia's most vulnerable residents to promote themselves. People who really can't say no to getting their photo taken, or appearing in media, and who are desperate for help to live another day. They may have been introduced to opioids through pain relief in a medical environment, or [taken fentanyl mistakenly if its mixed with another drug. ](https://harmreduction.org/issues/fentanyl/fentanyl-use-overdose-prevention-tips/?ref=theplatia.com) And it could be anyone. Programs that clear the streets, like Mayor Parker's Kensington initiative, can [remove people in recovery from care they are receiving](https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-kensington-encampment-sweep-opioid-epidemic-next-steps/?ref=theplatia.com) by local advocacy groups and settle them to areas unserved by advocates, which could lead to a surge in overdose deaths. Clear-outs move people from areas where their family or friends know to find them. They also simply move people from one neighborhood to another – humans don't just disappear, no matter how inconvenient they are to your Philadelphia 250 plans. Part of the reason I started The Platia was the surge of people living in corners of Old City who had migrated down after their camps were removed in Kensington. And residents in Old City were totally unprepared for how to deal with this. If you want to take a step to learn more about the situation in Kensington, there are amazing groups out there already learning and doing the work. Last week The Platia hosted a block party with Block2Block, an organization created to bring pleasurable parties to areas that don't often get fun, and Prevention Point and [Sunshine house](https://www.instagram.com/operationsaveourcity/?ref=theplatia.com), two Kensington groups that do the hard work in the streets every single day. Prevention Point has [several volunteer opportunities](https://ppponline.org/services/volunteering?ref=theplatia.com), like kit-making parties that provide care items to people living on the streets, and Wxman's Nights events. At these events you can meet people who have been impacted by addiction and get to know the human stories. This helps to eliminate fear and personalize the problems within our city. [You can also donate](https://ppponline.org/ways-help?ref=theplatia.com) (money, food or goods) and intern with them. *And I really do recommend not watching videos that sensationalize or trivialize these problems. This is our community and we're letting people use our most vulnerable to rack up views to monetize.* ### I'm giving away a May Day grant URL: https://www.theplatia.com/im-giving-away-a-may-day-grant/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T18:42:56.000Z As someone who writes a lot about place, and eating together and small businesses and being in community, I'm really exhausted of all the recent political events that put our most vulnerable in danger. And yet, I also know we need to keep fighting. But, when you are constantly in a phase of fight-or-flight, when your brain believes you are in danger, you will be [less active in your community](https://www.theplatia.com/block-parties-can-reduce-fear-heres-how-to-throw-one-in-philly/) and less present with your friends and family. You will dissociate and become exhausted. When you need to work as much as you can to provide basic needs, like a meal to get through the day, you won't be able to vocalize your needs or take part in protests, rallies or even [small good deeds](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-march/). A big part of The Platia is to harness the ethos I saw in small Greek villages in the Zagori, to build community around shared needs and figure them out together, putting resources back into the community. And I guess I do a lot of that, leading Narcan trainings and de-escalation discussions, volunteer opportunities and providing local stores with Plan B and sharps containers, as well as keeping tabs on when [the government is lying to us about our basic needs](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/). But always feel that we need more people involved. My voice can't be the loudest, we need to do this together. So for this May Day, May 1, 2026, I am giving one grant to an hourly worker in Philadelphia who is taking the day off to be in their community. **This is a one-time $500 grant, one free community safety course, and a Platia "prize pack" of public health items to share with your community, like Plan B, Narcan, misinformation tips, coffee or tea to share with a neighbor and hygiene items to give to others.** Here are some bullet points to help you easily walk through this. - You must be an hourly worker in Philadelphia who is missing pay to take a day off to be in community this May Day. - You should be using that time to be part of some community effort, and that can be anything from protesting to planting flowers in a neighborhood garden to babysitting a neighbors child. - You don't have to be a Platia reader (that would be nice!) but as part of the grant you must come to a de-escalation training this year where you will learn how to best lead conversations and stay safe at group events. - [You must fill out this entry form](https://forms.gle/FRwi8GzeMWy1jxVV6?ref=theplatia.com). I PROMISE YOU I will be deleting it all information the grant is given. Sorry, I hate a form too but this was fastest to accomplish this. The application period is Wednesday, April 29 through Sunday May 3 at midnight, and I will contact the winner on Monday, May 4\. I hope this inspired you to be out, meeting people, seeing your city this weekend. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings, volunteer opportunities and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Read the free newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Help save Philly's resource hubs URL: https://www.theplatia.com/help-save-phillys-resource-hubs/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:17:11.000Z 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](https://www.facebook.com/phillyhealth/photos/the-south-philly-resource-hub-located-at-500-snyder-avenue-will-permanently-clos/1301163782053946/). Now, due to the discontinuing of federal COVID-era health grants to Philly, to the tune of [$30 million to $50 million](https://whyy.org/articles/philly-public-health-jobs-grants-doge-cuts/?ref=theplatia.com), the public health department wants to close the other hubs by June 2026\. The [four remaining hubs](https://www.instagram.com/p/DDKZMTxupwq/?ref=theplatia.com), 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,"](https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3975d16ef151448f834d48e1760e36fb?ref=theplatia.com) 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](https://www.phila.gov/2023-04-24-resource-hubs-offer-drop-in-assistance-and-free-services-in-five-philadelphia-neighborhoods/?ref=theplatia.com) for primary care in the city. ### What you can do right now. A [Change.org petition](https://www.change.org/p/save-the-philly-public-health-resource-hubs?ref=theplatia.com) 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](https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-public-health/about-us/leadership/?ref=theplatia.com), 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](https://www.phila.gov/departments/board-of-health/regulations-and-meeting-minutes/?ref=theplatia.com) and keeping an eye out for the next meeting. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWHdkZJGAyw/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by South Eastern Pennsylvania Airborne Safety Bloc (@sepas\_bloc)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWHdkZJGAyw/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Sign Up For The Newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Philly volunteer opportunities: April 28th through May 3 URL: https://www.theplatia.com/volunteer-opportunities-for-this-week-plus-tell-me-your-questions-about-homelessness/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:18:24.000Z After meeting the encampment of people living on the Delaware River, also known as [Camp Chloe](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/) after the beloved camp pet dog, I started looking into the shelter system here in Philadelphia. As someone without deep personal experience in homelessness, it can be confusing why people wouldn't go to shelters. But it was immediately easy to understand that the shelter system separates families, rehomes pets, and can attract crime. And recently I've seen reports of serious maintenance and health issues at some of the top city-funded shelters; this includes one where a past CEO made upwards of $550,000 in salary. As I dig into Mayor Parker's budget to understand how that 2027 money will help our most vulnerable population, **I'd like to hear your questions. What do you not understand about shelters, intake centers or homelessness? What would you ask someone in that position and what are you curious about in their lives?** Help me shape coverage of this issue that impacts us all, and help me put faces and names to what is usually dehumanizing coverage in mainstream media. Email me directly: *adooling at gmail dot com*. --- A big thank you to everyone who sent items for our block party in Kensington! Thanks to Roz, we moved inside from the rain to Sunshine House and fed a couple hundred people! I want to give a big thank you to our barber, Anthony, who gave people clean ups and cuts, and to every single one of you who donated hygiene items and food. You make your community better! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXkRrbomQR7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXkRrbomQR7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### Here are some volunteer opportunities this week. Tuesday, April 28: [The Sunday Love Project ](https://sundaylove.org/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com)is looking for helpers for their grocery store in Kensington. This is a recurring opportunity helping Kensington locals feed their families and learning about the food ecosystem. Wednesday, April 29: 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at LOVE Park, join [The Everywhere Project](https://www.everywhereproject.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com) to provide hot food, water, clothing, and more to our friends in center city. This is a weekly distribution and a great entry point for beginners. Thursday, April 30: Spend up to $100 to fill a pantry and get reimbursed by the [Germantown Community Fridge](https://www.germantowncommunityfridge.com/grocery-shopping?ref=theplatia.com). You shop on your own, visit a fridge and get reimbursed. This is a recurring volunteer request. Friday, May 1: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mifflin Square Park join [South Philly Punks with Lunch](https://www.instagram.com/p/C%5FRt103Ry6f/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com) and Food Not Bombs to distribute produce and meals to residents. Harm reduction supplies are also on-hand. This distribution is weekly on Fridays. You can also bring clothing and unspoiled food donations. **This is my weekly distro and if you are interested in coming, I will be a friendly face at the table. Message me to come with me!** Saturday, May 2: From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. [Share Food Program](https://secure.everyaction.com/gqAGfCE8dEKOowr57HhicQ2?ref=theplatia.com) needs volunteers to pack up boxes of food. “As a warehouse volunteer, you'll be expected to lift products (between 2-5 lbs) to help pack boxes on an assembly line. You'll be expected to lift food boxes between 30-31 lbs.” Sunday, May 3: The Fishtown Neighbors Association needs volunteers for its mutual aid program. Pickup groceries from Riverwards and deliver it to Fishtown neighbors in-need. This is a recurring opportunity based on need. [Apply at this link](https://www.fishtown.org/get-involved.html?ref=theplatia.com). May 3 is also [From Our Hands Fest](https://www.instagram.com/fromourhandsfest/?ref=theplatia.com) at Fleisher Art Memorial, from noon to 4 p.m. They're serving food from across the Asian diaspora with free entry. [They need volunteers to make the event go smoothly](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWC%5FIFLjrDf/?img%5Findex=2&ref=theplatia.com) and you'll be in proximity to tons of delicious food all day. Let me know if you have any questions! ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings and journalism in Philadelphia to help make you a better citizen Sign Up For The Newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Help us throw the best block party in Kensington URL: https://www.theplatia.com/help-us-throw-the-best-block-party-in-kensington/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:16:46.000Z Knowing your neighbors is proven to reduce fear by turning unknown people into known demographic communities. Because block parties are a great way to meet those neighbors and come together over a common goal, I'm throwing a block party with [Block2Block](https://www.instagram.com/block2blockk/?ref=theplatia.com) at [Prevention Point](https://www.instagram.com/preventionpointphiladelphia/?ref=theplatia.com) on April 25th. To make this a fun, effortless event for attendees, we've got barbers donating their time, public health items for free, and of course, music and food. But we can use some help to secure enough supplies for everyone. [**Here's an Amazon list of hygiene items that will go directly toward this event**](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38A39QINSCOWJ?ref%5F=wl%5Fshare&ref=theplatia.com)**.** You know by now that at The Platia we do NOT support Amazon, but since people out-of-state have been asking how to help, this is the easiest path forward. If you are local and can contribute supplies like body wipes, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste and menstrual products, we will happily take those. We are making food, but could always use more of that too. If you could like to contribute baked goods, grilled items, sandwiches or other portable food items, [please reach out to me](https://www.instagram.com/travelinganna/?ref=theplatia.com). **Above all, everyone is invited, so please come out Saturday from noon forward, and make some new friends,** [**welcome Shaquilla to Philly**](https://www.instagram.com/shaqqq%5F%5F%5F/?ref=theplatia.com)**, say hi to our buds at Prevention Point and share a hot dog with me.** We want to make this the best event, to help people have fun as well as get items they need to live, and it's always best when the community can come together to build this out. Annemarie How to throw your own block party in Philly [Read More ](https://www.theplatia.com/block-parties-can-reduce-fear-heres-how-to-throw-one-in-philly/) Adults who attend art events are more likely to have social support nets [Read More ](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-art-get-involved/) ### What we can learn from a 16-year-old autonomous community in Athens URL: https://www.theplatia.com/what-we-can-learn-from-a-16-year-old-autonomous-community-in-athens/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T01:16:18.000Z *If you're new here, thank you! You can* [*read more about me*](https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom/)*, and why I'm writing independently and how you can help tiny newsrooms at this link. Every share, donation and email counts tremendously! - Annemarie* There’s a misconception that people living in encampments want to remain outside of society. That they are actively choosing not to participate in the community because they live in tents or squat in crumbling buildings, rather than a city-run shelter. But what if being in a commune was actually teaching people how to be more civically involved? A community in Athens, Greece has been challenging assumptions about what a commune can achieve and how they work within their home city and still stay autonomous. There’s a lot we can learn from how they set up their internal pipelines, even as they fight to maintain oversight of their home against the Greek government, who has interest in the choice plot of land and Bauhausian buildings, and [against a one-sided mainstream media](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-12/life-in-an-athens-housing-complex?ref=theplatia.com). Prosfygika *(say: pros-fee-yee-kuh)* sits in the central part of the city, near stadiums, hospitals and municipal buildings. While other areas of Athens sprout hotels and luxury condos, this corner of the city, along with areas like Kypseli and Exarcheia, has fought to resist gentrification. The area that makes up Prosfygika was quite literally made to be a refuge. Built in 1933, it became home to migrants escaping turmoil in Asia Minor, and continued to be a place where people could find a roof during the World Wars and other conflicts. Between then and now the derelict buildings attracted drug mafias and crime, until a group of squatters convened to organize all the residents. The buildings have been inhabited by the current commune for 16 years, and that includes about 400 people who speak approximately 27 languages. But, says a resident of Prosfygika I spoke to via Zoom on Tuesday morning, “our common language is solidarity.” Solidarity and resistance language has been photographed as graffiti on the walls surrounding Prosfygika many times. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-at-9.40.10-AM-1.png) Google Street View of Prosfygika I asked to speak to these residents because, as an American who has felt at home in Athens, I can understand why people would fight to live there. But also, [watching local encampments in Philadelphia broken down without plans](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/), with residents sent to unfit shelters, and watching mutual aid communities in my area struggle to keep going, I thought there could be lessons in how Prosfygika has continued to function as a group for all this time. I Zoomed with Elo, Corsa and Ioanna, residents and solidarity members of the commune, from my living room, to Prosfygika. The residents of the commune are families, the elderly, young people and everyone in between. Despite drastic cultural differences, the community collaborates to build out working systems that form a society. Rather than show off Prosfygika’s independence, these working groups are exemplatory of just how plugged into the Athens ecosystem this building of “squatters” actually is. The 22 systems, or “structures,” put together by the residents of Prosfygika in the last 15 years include a library, technical workshop, a cinema, a collective kitchen, an arts working group, clothing structure and communal cafe, as well as basics like a food redistribution working group, a bakery and a self-education structure. Each one is run by commune members with team leads who organize duties and think about long term plans. Each one blossomed out of a necessity that could benefit the entire collective. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-at-9.40.33-AM.png) Google Map view of Prosfygika (red dot) and proximity to Athens Plaka The bakery, for example, was one of the first systems created. Members of the bakery structure work together every day from 7am to 2pm, baking and selling food. Those who can afford to pay, pay for their bread. Those inside the structure who cannot afford the bread might perform other work, or if they’re not able to for illness or other reasons, food may be distributed to them weekly. Elo says, “This works because we know each other. We know about the problems we have, and we speak about it, and we’re able to find solutions together.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXEmjIKkVf8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Balkan Insight (@balkan\_insight)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXEmjIKkVf8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) People from the neighborhood, like visitors or guests of one of the hospitals nearby, can visit and purchase bread as well; it’s not solely for Prosfygika residents. Bakery structure members partner with local vendors to secure ingredients. All of these visitors create a steady flow of people entering Prosfygika to meet members and see the workings of the group. “The collective bakery is serving the relationships to the outside of the community,” Elo says. The bakery creates an outside hub of friends and neighbors the commune works closely with to stay connected to the city. For other food needs, there’s a collective kitchen, where a “solidarity crew” of friends (like Ioanna) and neighbors cooks for people in-need, both in the community and outside. The kitchen is within the walls of Prosfygika, but aims to create a bond with folks outside of the walls. Monday through Friday, the food is available for anyone to take whatever they need. Additionally, members of a Prosfygika logistics structure go to nearby markets three times a week to collect food to hand out in the community or cook in the kitchen. Growing food in the middle of Athens creates a challenge, so the group aims to reuse food waste from friendly neighborhood grocers, who might throw the produce out instead. Through these holistic methods of vendor to kitchen to public, Prosfygika is part of the Athens food ecosystem. Prosfygika also manages an education system called “the children structure and self-education,” which helps to provide educational materials to everyone who wants to learn, while also encouraging children to attend public school in the city. “Of course, we want them to go to public school that provides them a basic level of education, let's say, even if we don't agree in some parts,” says Ioanna. The “self education” portion of this structure handles a variety of learning options. It might assist a young student who wants to split time between public school and home learning, while also creating a Greek language learning plan for a family from another country. Of course, learning Greek is encouraged because it helps commune members make connections with the outside world. Because, while the community is self-sufficient in resources, their mission is always to remain part of Athens at-large. In addition to learning, the children’s group provides activities. When these activities fall during the same hours as the "women's structure,” the men of the community step in to organize activity time. And the final, and possibly most important role of this structure is to plan appointments for doctors visits, ensuring that all children are vaccinated and have proper medical care. Even migrant students who don’t have proper identification find ways to receive care through nearby hospitals that are sympathetic to the collective. All of the so-called structures fill a gap of something community members need to survive, but they also create bonds between members who work together to solve problems. The structures function as a knowledge sharing system that transcends performing work for a paycheck. Elo says that when the leads of each structure consider the future, they also consider, “how to transfer the knowledge and also the common culture that comes with the work. Not to create something only based on work, or on capitalism, or on creating money.” Leads are encouraged to include everyone who is curious about each structure, always pass on information and consider all voices in how work is done, which builds comradery amongst members. “How we see also the common work, or the work for the collective, is that we are also building relations between us.” Having common goals gives the group missions to work toward together. And as for crime, the three representatives say that theft is not really an issue among residents of Prosfygika, although it's certainly not allowed, neither is violence against any community member. And with so many families and elderly inhabitants, this may well be true that crime is low. But drugs are present, and bring those elements into the building from outside neighborhoods. To handle this, Prosfygika considers the tenants of harm reduction to care for members going through addiction. Corsa says, “People that are addicted to drugs, they are part of the community, and they get supported also with communal ways of fighting addiction – but they have to commit to fighting these addictions.” But lest you think this is a mutual aid paradise, the [state is bringing complication to Prosfygika](https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/13/athens-historic-prosfygika-reborn-social-housing/?ref=theplatia.com). Given the history of the buildings, and the very plum location in central Athens, the local government has introduced a plan to renovate the neighborhood. Residents have yet to hear from a representative on where they are supposed to move when work begins, or whether they can stay in the buildings. “We have only one plan. We will not go anywhere,” Corsa says. Athens plans to upgrade the buildings to create “social housing,” which Prosfygika members point out, it already is. And they’re asking the government to be part of the renovation. “We don’t see ourselves as an isolated island of freedom,” Elo says. “We understand that we are an autonomous and liberated ground, but within a nation-state also.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXHiNs1iBer/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Κοινότητα Κατειλημμένων Προσφυγικών (@sykapro)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXHiNs1iBer/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Outside of the community, [4,000 friends, residents and neighbors](https://unicornriot.ninja/2026/hands-off-prosfygika-eviction-threat-sparks-hunger-strike-and-mass-mobilization/?ref=theplatia.com) marched down the Athens streets with signs and banners in solidarity with the residents who want to remain in the homes they’ve taken care of for over a decade. So while Prosfygika is a self-sufficient commune, it’s very much not alone. Protests have spun up around Greece and in other countries, even as other camps learn from this fight. Academics, photojournalists, lawyers and other professionals are on standby to assist residents, and document how we can replicate what’s happened at Prosfygika, an example of what a collective community in a major city could be. **How You Can Help:** 1. Contribute to [Prosfygika’s firefund](https://www.firefund.net/saveprosfygika?ref=theplatia.com), which continues to assist with maintenance and living costs for residents as they fight legal battles. 2. [Attend the community’s ongoing calls for action](https://www.instagram.com/int.saveprosfygika/?ref=theplatia.com). They request members of the International academic space and media, specifically, but all are invited. 3. Learn about Aristotle Chantzis, [who has been on a hunger strike](https://vimeo.com/1174109918?ref=theplatia.com) since February for “the immediate cancellation of the contract of the region of Attica and the Cultural Ministry of Greece.” Residents are also asking for inclusion in rebuilding plans of their home, and acknowledgement of the community living at Prosfygika. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings & harm reduction journalism in Philadelphia, based on Greek community traditions. Sign Up For My Free Newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Learning about drug testing strips URL: https://www.theplatia.com/you-can-get-free-drug-testing-strips-and-hang-out-with-me/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T18:43:45.000Z **I’ll be giving out free drug testing strips at the Dark Side Burlesque show on April 19th at 8pm at Franky Bradleys.** [**The show is bird-themed**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEkLEFAMAs/?ref=theplatia.com) **and features some of the most fun burlesque and drag performers in Philly.** [**Get tickets here**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dark-side-burlesques-hornithology-a-drag-burlesque-tribute-to-birds-tickets-1985310878280?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=theplatia.com) **and come and find me for a Platia “goodie bag” filled with public health items.** This article explains why I think this is important right now. Narcan is becoming so well known that you can get it at fire stations across Philly. But fewer people know how to use drug testing strips, which have uses for a wider swath of people, are smaller to carry and very easy to use. These little strips allow you to test a small portion of drugs to make sure you know what you’re taking. They’re given out to people in harm reduction circles, but are also useful at parties, raves, festivals, or anyplace where people are doing drugs, because you can't be positive exactly what you’re taking unless you test it. Given the February 2026 death of [cartel leader El Mencho](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/24/the-killing-of-mexican-drug-lord-el-mencho-how-it-unfolded?ref=theplatia.com), some sources say that the fentanyl supply chain could be impacted. Even though the pipeline is a well-oiled machine that can continue past the death of one person, it’s a good idea to take stock of the drug supply. Less fentanyl could mean adding animal tranquilizers like medetomidine, xylazine, and [other chemicals used in plastics and adhesives](https://6abc.com/post/chemical-found-plastics-molds-new-opioid-nightmare-philadelphia/16140185/?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=%22It's%20changing%20extremely%20rapidly%2C%20like,in%20some%20cases%20causes%20death.), which are resistant to naloxone. You can also test if other drugs, like pills you thought were prescription medication, [contain any fentanyl](https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-resources/pdf/CDC%5FFentanyl-Fact-Sheet%5FGeneral%5F508.pdf?ref=theplatia.com). Organizations like the [PA Groundhogs](https://pagroundhogs.org/test-kits?ref=theplatia.com) offer free drug testing services where individuals can send a small amount of their supply to find out exactly what contains. But you can also get an idea of what’s in your drugs using test strips. By dipping a strip into a small dissolved amount of your drug, you’ll know the makeup of the product – although this might not show everything since you are testing a small sample size. Test strips are free through groups like The [Everywhere Project](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com) and [Punks with Lunch](https://punkswithlunch.com/?ref=theplatia.com). Whether you’re a regular drug user or recreational, it’s good to understand what you’re putting into your body. When you know what’s in your supply you can make better choices and prepare yourself to party safely. ### Block parties can reduce fear. Here's how to throw one in Philly URL: https://www.theplatia.com/block-parties-can-reduce-fear-heres-how-to-throw-one-in-philly/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T18:45:06.000Z Being a community-minded citizen starts at home. Even though we can battle with the people we share space with over garbage pickup and parking spaces, engaging with our neighbors gives us a better sense of how to take care of our communities holistically. A neighbor – even one you don’t particularly like – can remind you about an accessibility issue, like how a stair railing helps the elderly exit their homes, or a pocket patch of grass is enjoyable for a dog. Knowing your neighbors is proven [to reduce fear](https://actionlab.strongtowns.org/hc/en-us/articles/32906906525460-Block-Parties-Core-Insights?ref=theplatia.com) by turning unknown people into known demographic communities. One way to engage with those neighbors is to work together to host a block party. In Philly, there are a few documents you need to prepare in advance, and some logistics to make the event a success. Ideally you’re starting to plan in April for a June or July block party. Signatures, vendors, city paperwork all take time. The Streets Department requires online applications submitted 45 days in advance, with signed consent from “[75% of households](https://stsweb.phila.gov/blockParty/?ref=theplatia.com)” on the block. There will undoubtedly be a neighbor [who doesn’t feel included](https://whyy.org/articles/6-secrets-for-throwing-an-epic-philly-block-party/?ref=theplatia.com) and needs some time to agree. Start by securing signatures of consent of street closure from up to 75% of block households. Remember, streets still need to be accessible to emergency vehicles, delivery trucks doing business on that street, and home owners, but it will be closed for through-traffic. [You can find that document here](https://stsweb.phila.gov/blockParty/?ref=theplatia.com). You’ll want to reach out with a handful of pre-selected dates and have neighbors choose from those. Maybe a beloved neighbor has a birthday, or there’s a local holiday where neighbors will be home and ready to party. At least 21 days prior to the event (45 is recommended to be safe!) apply [via the Philadelphia Streets Department website](https://www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/street-closures/apply-to-hold-a-block-party-or-street-event/?ref=theplatia.com) or call (215) 686-5500 with questions. The price for a permit starts at $25, but can reach $60 if you file with fewer than 21 days notice, and your block can apply for up to five parties per year (and I hope you do!) If you’re planning on *announcing* that you’re serving alcohol… no you’re not. Because public alcohol distribution requires extra insurance. Working out the details between neighbors builds comradery through problem solving. Here are tasks that can get people involved and motivated: - Who’s your block captain? Have they filed for this permit before and have any personal tips to share with everyone? - If you will ask people to move their cars, do you have an alley or driveways that can be utilized? - What kind of vendors do you want? Figure out if anyone on the block has a business that can participate. A mobile food cart or a chef? A DJ? Games? - Which neighbor knows CPR, Heimlich Maneuver or is a street medic or EMS that can assist in an emergency? - Who will organize the potluck? An ingredient card at each dish can help stay clear of allergy issues. - Who will organize the setup? Someone needs to break out tables and chairs, meet the vendors, and set the street closure barricades. - Who will organize the cleanup? The folks who don’t mind staying up late can be useful for clearing trash after the event. - Pick someone to be in charge of music, and get everyone involved by creating a shared playlist. - Have a poll for what kind of games or events you want out on the street. - Have small kids? Dogs? Mini pools are a tiny refuge in the hot sun – different pools for the dogs and the kids, of course. A sprinkler can cool down adults. Getting everyone involved in a community event creates a bond and gives you insight into the people you share space with, so above all, decision-making can be a collaborative event. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings & harm reduction journalism in Philadelphia, based on Greek community traditions. Sign Up For A Free Newsletter Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### One thing you can do today to help URL: https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-2/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T18:45:36.000Z There are so many people who can benefit from community that it sometimes feels disorienting to know where to begin. Instead of waiting for a grand plan, you can do a small action today to make a connection with a neighbor. This is why The Platia revolves around a concept called [harm reduction](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/), which includes reducing the damage in our communities for the most vulnerable, from making sure everyone has food to eat, to raising our children as a village. Because we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEkLEFAMAs/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Dark Side Burlesque (@darksideburlesque)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEkLEFAMAs/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ***This month I'll be out with*** [***Dark Side Burlesque***](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEkLEFAMAs/?ref=theplatia.com) ***showing you how to use drug testing strips to make sure everyone in your community knows what they're putting in their body. Come learn about strips while Dark Side strips... and did I mention it's BIRD themed?*** If mutual aid is a new concept to you and you're overwhelmed, here's three small **free things** you can do now to make your community more sustainable. 1. **Block and report a troll on a social platform.** Misinformation is incredible harmful to vulnerable communities, especially in the health, wellness, parenting and LGBTQ spaces, or any community where people would look for support during a confusing or difficult time. [Misinformation and disinformation](https://guides.lib.uiowa.edu/c.php?g=849536&p=6077637&ref=theplatia.com) run unchecked on social platforms, from bots, from bad actors and also from regular people who fall for the fake info and share it, or reply and amplify it. If you find an account spreading this type of content, do not engage with it. That simply spreads the misinformation further. Block and report the account immediately. Hide it from your thread if it's a reply, so a passerby doesn't fall for it. Getting these accounts muted and shut down is the best defense until the platforms take safety seriously. 1. **Take your leftovers with you – always** Even if you're not sure if you're going to eat them, ask for a to-go container. If the food is in mostly untouched shape, you can give it to someone you pass on your way home. Someone else in your family can make leftovers with it. You can use the garnish or ingredients to make another meal. Food waste is an enormous problem in Philadelphia, where [206 million pounds of food goes in the trash every year](https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2025/06/16/reduce-food-waste/?ref=theplatia.com). And even though restaurants and [bars are getting very savvy](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-bartenders-are-turning-food-waste-into-cocktails?ref=theplatia.com) at what happens to pre-plate waste and packaging, there's still the issue of post-plate waste, or, the food you leave behind. You can help by considering what that leftover could become, or taking that untouched bread basket for a nearby food pantry. If you're the last to leave, you can even ask a bakery or restaurant if they have any extra bread they wouldn't mind throwing in. In the worst case scenario, you throw it out at home a few days later – but it was going in the trash anyway. 1. **Switch to a handkerchief** Putting less garbage in landfills can make a community healthier with [less disease transmission and better mental health](https://archive.epa.gov/region4/rcra/mgtoolkit/web/html/community.html?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=With%20efficient%20curbside%20recycling%20programs,the%20place%20they%20call%20home.&text=Making%20waste%20reduction%20a%20priority,total%20payroll%2010%20times%20larger.). Tissues, paper towels and old clothing add to the landfills and allergy season plus spring cleaning time has arrived. Instead of throwing out old, worn clothing [you can't donat](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-donate-clothing-checklist/), take out the scissors and cut a small square that you can use as a handkerchief. [Brother Sewing Machine](https://www.brother-usa.com/blogs/stitching-sewcial/sew-a-handkerchief?srsltid=AfmBOore%5FX9dSObRifBGARSa7YsLVX-zRtCnUNaImS2zsbUnXUY76dHR&ref=theplatia.com) has a tutorial for a pattern, but you truly don't even need that. Just cut a square and put it in your pocket. Make a few so that you have one ready when you're washing the used one. Thank you, Annemarie The Platia is a non-profit tiny newsroom. Every dollar goes toward civic trainings and mutual aid. $5 can get coffee for an afternoon food distribution. $20 can provide FOIA training. $100 funds Narcan training. Let's put resources back into the community together. [Donate to the Platia ](https://www.theplatia.com/#/portal/support) [One Thing You Can Do Today: March Edition](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-march/) [One Thing You Can Do Today: February Edition](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today/) ### The arts make you a better person URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-art-get-involved/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T19:15:26.000Z Most Americans are dissatisfied with the way people treat each other in this country, and say it’s only getting worse. That’s the top-line finding from [The Dignity Barometer](https://www.dignity.us/2026-dignity-barometer?ref=theplatia.com), created in 2026 by Hart Research to gauge the way Americans feel about their connections to each other. 78% of polled Americans say it’s a concern that we can’t come together as a country to solve problems. The good news is that volunteer organizations are where people not only experience dignity, but find hope that we can treat people with dignity. And there’s a direct connection between people who take part in the arts, and those who get involved in volunteering groups or social clubs. [Adults who attend art events](https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/new-research-explores-arts-engagement-and-social-connectedness?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=Some%20highlights%20from%20the%20brief%20include:%20%2A,the%20social%20and%20emotional%20support%20they%20needed) are more likely to have social support nets, get together with friends and family, and feel less lonely on the whole. That’s why I was so excited when [Step Outside Show](https://www.instagram.com/stepoutsideshow/?ref=theplatia.com) opened on South Street, right near me. It was a free place to meet other people interested in visual arts, meet the artists and talk about local issues. It was a place to make art and become part of a circle of artists. Like many scrappy things in a quickly gentrifying city, the show is closed now. But the intent stuck with me, and was buzzing around in my head when National Cheesesteak Day rolled around. See, in art spaces, like South Street Art Mart and others, I kept seeing this shirt. Unmistakably a man slinging cheesesteaks in a font reminiscent of the old hardcore bands. Writing the [Eater guide to Philly’s best cheesesteaks](https://philly.eater.com/maps/best-cheesesteak-philadelphia?ref=theplatia.com), I have had dozens. So instead of fighting over seeded breads and types of cheeses, I wanted to explore the people who make this city – the artists – and their attachment to this blue collar specialty that in recent years has become vegan, met new cheeses, and even achieved [Bib Gourmand status](https://philly.eater.com/maps/michelin-starred-bib-gourmand-restaurants-philly?ref=theplatia.com). So, I spend the day getting back to basics, eating a greasy old-school steak [and talk about wearable art that absolutely screams Philly](https://www.doomedfuture.com/product-page/keep-philadelphia-hardcore?ref=theplatia.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-01-at-3.35.57-PM.png) Street artist Doomed Future, who works on Step Outside Show with a collective of other artists, made this shirt in homage to his grandfather, who worked at Jim’s West back in the 50’s and 60’s. I lured him back there to sit on a freezing cold bench outside and drip cheesesteak oil on ourselves, to talk about his grandfather, what it means to keep Philly hardcore and why I am only going to a papi shop for dinner after a hardcore show from now on. Some snippets I had to cut out of the video thanks to Instagram’s three-minute time rule: - We were both passionate about what it means to progress but also keep the traditions of a place that make it beautiful. - Bacon, egg and cheese slander; not from me. - If you can make something beautiful for a living, you should. And given all the research I shared above, you’ll be more civic-minded if you can build a support network, preferably one around art. Luckily, there’s a new location imminent for the Step Outside Show, but you’ll have to follow [Doomed Future](https://www.instagram.com/doomedfuture/?ref=theplatia.com) to find that out. **In the meantime, if you're looking to get involved with arts organizations across the city, here are a few:** - The [Art Well](https://www.theartwell.org/?ref=theplatia.com) provides programming to engage kids in self expression. - [Fresh Artists](https://www.freshartists.org/who-we-are?ref=theplatia.com) supports students artists while school programs continue to be defunded. - The [Philadelphia Arts Collective](https://www.philartistscollective.org/mission.html?ref=theplatia.com) reimagines theatrical classics for everyone. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWoVU0wuH5I/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWoVU0wuH5I/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings & harm reduction journalism in Philadelphia, based on Greek community traditions. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### How food waste can become clothing URL: https://www.theplatia.com/how-food-waste-can-become-clothing/ Last updated: 2026-03-28T15:58:03.000Z Food waste is a major concern for me, as someone who eats a lot for a living. After an article last year where I explored [all the kinds of waste that are created in kitchens and catering](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-bartenders-are-turning-food-waste-into-cocktails?ref=theplatia.com), I became fascinated with the ways that ingredients can be reused. For example, a fat wash from meat drippings is becoming more common in kitchens, but did you know that you can make milk punch from a day-old croissant? That's why when I heard what [Natalia Burakowska](https://terratela.com/blogs/tales/meet-natalia-burakowska?srsltid=AfmBOoqmYIbubk2hqG4VihIyEjV5IBXQa6ZN4BTZ2HLsitAVDUikULrl&ref=theplatia.com) is doing with her clothing brand, [Terratela](https://terratela.com/?ref=theplatia.com), I had to talk to her. And I honestly could have listened all day. Terratela uses fibers and "plastics" made from waste like milk proteins, seaweed, soybean shells and even cigarette butts. We bonded over growing up in immigrant families where everything was reused – I have more jars and Cento cans than a sane person should – but I love her knowledge about how these food items were already being used, and how new technology can bring them back in ways that are accessible for today's consumers. Because, [who knew that our problematic friend Henry Ford would be the one to champion the soybean suit](https://www.thehenryford.org/collections/explore/artifact/67258?ref=theplatia.com) (and throw it away once cheaper plastics became available)? Watch the interview below, and come out to meet Natalia at the [Circles and Circularity](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbRYiZkS2G/?ref=theplatia.com) event at Post Haste on March 29th from 3-6pm. ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings & harm reduction guides in Philadelphia, based on Greek community traditions. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### How you can file a Right-To-Know request URL: https://www.theplatia.com/how-you-can-file-a-right-to-know-request/ Last updated: 2026-03-26T16:54:12.000Z With a few No Kings events coming up, I want to remind people about a right you can exercise any day. Citizens of Pennsylvania have the right to request access to state and local government records as part of the Right-To-Know Law. Active since 2009, this law makes it easier for citizens to understand where their money is being spent and what our governing agencies are doing with their power. If you are worried about something the government is doing with their power, you can ask for information about it. You might be familiar with a [Freedom of Information Act request](https://www.foia.gov/?ref=theplatia.com), which you can file against the federal government. If you're not new around here, you know I believe everyone should have access to this info and should attempt a FOIA at least once. **This is important because these are your elected officials and the body that represents you.** You can request information about the following: - Police records of arrests or incidents. - 911 response time logs. - Operating manuals used by government agencies. - Agency budgets and contracts, including government employee salaries. - Records of state grants and budgets. - Emails as related to a [“transaction of activity”](https://pafoic.org/what-is-a-public-record-under-the-right-to-know-law/?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=Records%20relating%20to%20police%20use,and%20beneficiary%20or%20dependent%20information.). - Zoning permits or requests. - Restaurant health inspections. - 311 complaints as they pertain to public safety. - Meetings minutes and safety inspections for government agencies (even schools and school board meetings). And more. Here’s the process: 1. Identify which agency has the information you’re looking for. For example, are you looking for [vehicle information from PennDOT](https://www.pa.gov/services/penndot/submit-a-right-to-know-request-to-penndot?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=Overview,-Before%20filing%20a&text=Pennsylvania's%20Right%20To%20Know%20Law,%2C%20U.S.%20mail%2C%20or%20fax.), or do you want [police cam footage?](https://www.pa.gov/services/psp/request-pennsylvania-state-police-audio-or-video-recordings?ref=theplatia.com) Not all requests go through the Right-To-Know form or the same open records agent, so looking up the exact agency will get your request filed sooner. Google for the record you're looking for and note the agency that comes up. You can even check to see if that information is already part of an [open data set](https://opendataphilly.org/?ref=theplatia.com). You can even look up [a specific records officer’s information](https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/AOROSearch.cfm?ref=theplatia.com). 2. [Fill out the Right-To-Know form](https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Documents/RTKL/RTKRequestForm.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) with as much information as possible about what you’re searching for, what data and records you are exploring, and anything that might help the records office steer you in the right direction. You do not need to provide a reason for the request or any personal information. You simply want to provide enough to help the records agent find the right file. 3. Send that information by fax (lol), email or in-person. Again – check the person you're sending to. Should it go to the [Philly police department](https://www.phillypolice.com/forms/ppd%5Fright%5Fto%5Fknow/?ref=theplatia.com), or [the school district](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/about/right-to-know?ref=theplatia.com)? Agencies are required to respond within five business days before the unanswered request is deemed a “denial.” Agencies might attempt a denial saying the information is private under other laws, like attorney-client privilege or HIPAA, but you have the ability to appeal that denial. Open Records PA has a great document on[ what to include in your appeal](https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Documents/RTKL/CitizensGuide.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) and how to process it. Investigative journalism groups can help you make a template for, or brainstorm your request, or [prepare you to file a FOIA](https://www.muckrock.com/foi/?ref=theplatia.com). ## Sign up for The Platia Civic trainings & harm reduction guides in Philadelphia, based on Greek community traditions. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### A visit to the Penn's Landing encampment and what you can do to help URL: https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T18:40:31.000Z Update April 2: The city records office has requested an extension to process documents related to the removal of the encampment. I have also added more links in context in the story below. *Update: As of March 19, at noon Eastern, Mayor Parker's office has not replied to my request for comment about whether she will visit the encampment, and how much of the H.O.M.E. budget is dedicated to transitional housing. I have also sent a records request to better understand the process of ejection for the camp. An update below shows more information on the parcel of land and it's holding companies. Also, more information at the bottom of the article about how you can help.* Being a journalist does not exclude me from the same complicated questions anyone would ask when finding out that people live in makeshift shelters ten minutes from my door in Philadelphia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-03-at-2.38.56-PM-1.png) Residents of Camp Chloe and mutual aid workers discussing the groups demands of the city. By Annemarie Dooling When learning about the residents of an encampment on the Delaware River behind the South Philly Walmart shopping center lot – also known by locals as the Walmart pier or the "Chicken Man pier" - I want to ask very basic questions. Why would someone fight to live outside? Why wouldn’t they take advantage of a shelter? Are they safe living there? Who owns that property? Given the systems we live in, these are normal questions to ask, and so, if you are reading this and also have these questions, let’s put aside our assumptions and talk about this with open minds. On Monday, March 16, [I attended a conference](https://www.threads.com/@travelinganna/post/DV8ncm%5FjSY8?ref=theplatia.com) held by mutual aid groups representing the residents of the encampment that goes by the name Camp Chloe. The event happened on the pier and was relatively small, with mostly representatives of the residents carrying signs to support them. Some residents attended but did not want to speak or be filmed for their own safety, The event was to bring attention to two major topics. The first, that since [October 14th](https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/crews-clean-out-south-philly-homeless-encampment-off-of-delaware-river-trail/4286680/?ref=theplatia.com), crews from the City of Philadelphia have swept the encampment, cleaning out shelters and also destroying personal belongings and identification. That means some residents of the encampment had been forced to vacate with little notice, and some without proper ID. **Let's talk about this slice of property, a group of unused piers hidden behind a shopping center.** The property this encampment sits on has a connection to an LLC ccalled SOUTH CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CAPITAL 1499 LLC, which planned to create a shopping center, apartments and townhomes along the “[only developable piece remaining ](https://media.philly.com/documents/1401-1499-S.-Columbus-Blvd-Brochure%5Fsm1.pdf?ref=theplatia.com)within the 1.2 million \[square feet\] of retail along Columbus Blvd.” [The property is tied to developer Bart Blatstein](https://www.silverarchcp.com/silver-arch-capital-partners-announces-15-million-loan-closing-acquisition-former-foxwoods-property/?ref=theplatia.com), who you may know from [several mega development project](https://www.phillymag.com/tag/bart-blatstein/?ref=theplatia.com)s and [Tower Investments](https://www.towerdev.com/sugar-mill-development?ref=theplatia.com). The LLC has an interesting history including bankruptcy filings in 2022 and [relationships](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1722383/000172238317000001/xslFormDX01/primary%5Fdoc.xml?ref=theplatia.com) with [an executive who was indicted for fraud](https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-leaders-real-estate-investment-firm-indicted-650-million-ponzi-scheme-conspiracy?bm-verify=AAQAAAAM%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F%5FpnEBUrY6YH1RneAcmK7Hpq-PfSvBICpJXfSUC7WXkHciBSkVIBtZ1%5FaxpuiZA3dmy%5FAAxgOgD4a6lMZOYrl4sMuqQIFEimq7cvZ8znrtM2iS7NYrL6jAJMJEIlqTwXyzoMPEgXx5Vs0ua2tY%5FIOgKymw5nMGJgsEToGNeI-0IIIE6U0S4GC71YqYM543oXU9Hkfqo85bEPnA1tRIOrQsV%5FusmCdqa1eRkVFz-3yLRMuSVHCg68BENA9qBkR9ALfXgO2SvsO7WjUi9by2kGleERqd3i2axzUz%5FAhfn-Ac3LdlkWrpPjcab9nRZmXxIrDiRHOSfO-mWtOXwnnmGncPwS9c3B3NLBSw9XFD9emOdLZniQgOINslQY%5Fx3dHwdK-tulK0yu3XxDnwASs60&ref=theplatia.com). Part of that fraud, notably, [was luring investors into the Philadelphia Water Club project with the promise of demand](https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/06/23/nj-developer-files-chapt-11-accused-of-fraud.html?ref=theplatia.com) \[paywalled link\], but no such demand materialized. When that LLC and its [ownership disolved in 2025](https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub%5F47446/09a38128-c93f-4b17-9773-1f5288dfeb94%5F4224.pdf?ref=theplatia.com), ownership of its assets were sold to South Christopher Columbus Capital 1499 Propco LLC, with the stipulation that "to generate the greatest return possible to creditors and investors, , the Wind-Down CEO has determined that the Property should be subdivided into condominium units before development and sale." *That has not happened,* but it looks like [a Trader Joe's is slotted](https://billypenn.com/2020/01/23/giant-aldi-another-trader-joes-all-the-new-supermarkets-planned-for-philly-this-year/?ref=theplatia.com) for the 1500 space, which is noted by Tower Investments as their "[Sugar Mill Development.](https://www.towerdev.com/sugar-mill-development?ref=theplatia.com)" In short, the owners of that land have moved that property through several LLCs and holding groups, with lots of plans but little development. Today, the site is only occupied by the camp. 311 complaints in the area of the property include graffiti on lamp posts, unshoveled snow and potholes (at the far end of the parking lot), as well as direct complaints about the encampment in several spaces along the waterfront in April and June of 2025\. Residents of the camp living in this space say they were not alerted to an ejection process (eviction for non-tenants). The Philadelphia courts portal shows no filings, even though both residents and the NBC report linked above mention the city themselves coming to clear the parcel of private property. [L&I reports](https://li.phila.gov/Property-History/search/Violation-Detail?address=1341R%20S%20CHRISTOPHER%20COLUMBUS%20BLVD&Id=CF-2025-105892&ref=theplatia.com) of the parcel of land do show that the piers failed inspection and were deemed unsafe in October and February. The city would have just cause to remove people from the pier for safety, but there are no records to back that up. Instead, residents say they were woken up with “cow bells” to their belongings being thrown away and identification destroyed, which made it difficult for them to find another place to go. The other reason for the conference was that the mutual aid groups speaking for the residents invited Mayor Cherelle Parker to visit the encampment and hear their needs. As of the time of publication, Mayor Parker has not replied to this request. While the city of Philadelphia does have shelters available for unsettled people, most do not allow pets (Camp Chloe is named for the encampment dog) and many separate couples and families. According to Project HOME, [homelessness increased by 9.8 percent in Philadelphia](https://www.projecthome.org/homelessness-facts?ref=theplatia.com) between 2023 and 2024, including increases in people seeking transitional homes, and increases in people in need in areas like Center City and South Philadelphia. You can read more about who the city counts as homeless [on page two of this PIT document](https://www.phila.gov/media/20240923121315/OHS-PIT-Count-Summary-Report-2024.pdf?ref=theplatia.com). So, while shelters are more crowded or don’t provide support for families looking for shelter together, there are more people who need housing assistance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/dc/06dc596d-2ca5-4964-9ea6-2514f620991b/content/images/2026/03/0.jpg) Police Officers stood at the periphery of the press conference. A long-time resident of Camp Chloe who introduced himself as Chris gave group demands for the city, [which you can also find online](https://www.instagram.com/p/DV6oZbXiUAX/?img%5Findex=1&ref=theplatia.com). 1. **Safe Sleep Sites**. This request is for designated safe areas where a camp can exist and “self police”. That would include a fixed address for identification and mutual aid (for example, unhoused people can register to vote with a nearby cross street they are affixed to). The request also includes hygiene, like water and trash pickup. 2. **A “Property Receipt” System**. This request would protect camp resident belongings, which are often discarded as trash during clean outs. People who live in shelters and encampments have little opportunity to carry many sentimental or vital items, and in sweeps, those items are often lost forever. This request asks for advocates to contain and store personal belongings, and provide a receipt, if a camp or residents are moved. 3. **“Housing over Shelter.**” With this request, residents are asking to understand how much of the [$2 billion dollar housing budget in Philadelphia](https://www.phila.gov/media/20250414183040/City-of-Philadelphia%5F04102025%5F508-Compliant.pdf?ref=theplatia.com) is being used for affordable housing (possibly like [the modular development plans](https://www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2026/01/mayor-cherelle-parker-unveils-plans-modular-housing-factory-north-philadelphia/410842/?ref=theplatia.com) in North Philly) or “navigation centers,” which are shelters that allow families to stay with pets and their belongings temporarily. These centers offer plans and strategy toward permanent housing for entire families, rather than simply placing a roof over a head for a night. The Kensington low-barrier center is one such example, [run by Prevention Point](https://www.instagram.com/p/DGgq9tYyuJo/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==). For camp residents, that type of housing is far preferable to spending the night alone in shelters that might be unsafe. [You can dig into the H.O.M.E. plan here](https://www.phila.gov/documents/mayor-cherelle-l-parkers-h-o-m-e-initiative/?ref=theplatia.com). 4. **An oversight board with lived experience**. This request asks to make official a board of the camp’s choosing, with people who have experienced homelessness. This board would work with the city for any camp clearings, safety requests or questions of personal belongings and identification. Those are the requests of the group, who spoke about trying to understand the process of ejection, and why camp clearings happened without notice. This is a lot of information, but I hope it gives you more insight into why people may choose living in a camp versus shelters, or why they build community in these ways, when they are vulnerable and have little support. **What can a regular person do to support our neighbors in this situation?** - You can leave comments with the city on [the official correspondence form](https://www.phila.gov/departments/mayor/mayors-correspondence-form/?ref=theplatia.com) or [with your local representative](https://vote.phila.gov/voting/current-elected-officials/elected-officials-in-philadelphia-county/?ref=theplatia.com), sharing your concern over the treatment of your neighbors, or asking to understand the housing plan. Our elected officials are city servants, and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable reaching out. - You can call Councilman Squilla of District 1 at (215) 686-3458 and ask for information on the eviction. - Several mutual aid groups provide food and hygiene items to people living in Camp Chloe. Start with the [South Philly Action Coalition](https://www.instagram.com/southphillyactioncoalition/?ref=theplatia.com), where your monetary donations will go directly to impacted people. - What kind of donated items are always in need? Socks, hygiene items like tampons and pads, toothpaste and brushes, combs and wipes are always useful, but a representative from the South Philly Actions Coalition says monetary donations can help the group route needs more efficiently. - Talk to someone who lives on the street. Stigma is one of the main reasons people can’t find the help or resources they need, but most Americans are closer to living like our unhoused neighbors than billionaires. Say hello to the person you pass by every day to begin to change your own bias and make a connection. ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is an independent newsroom that holds civic trainings & discussions in Philadelphia. Sign up for free to help support live community-based journalism. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### One thing you can do today URL: https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-march/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T22:24:39.000Z There are so many people who can benefit from community that it sometimes feels disorienting to know where to begin. Instead of waiting for a grand plan, you can do a small action today to make a connection with a neighbor. This is why The Platia revolves around a concept called [harm reduction](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/), which includes reducing the damage in our communities for the most vulnerable, from making sure everyone has food to eat, to raising our children as a village. Because we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors. If this is a new concept to you and you're overwhelmed with how to create mutual aid in your community, here's two small things you can do now. 1. **Use Spring cleaning as an excuse to donate books.** How many books are collecting dust on your shelves? Pull out a few that you're not likely to read anymore, and pass them along. [**Books Through Bars**](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/donate-books?ref=theplatia.com) collects soft cover books in a myriad of topics – especially college text books, books in a series and religious texts – to distribute to people behind bars. Here, in Philly, you can either drop them off in West Philly, or you can stop in for a volunteer orientation. Don't forget to ask your neighbors if they have any books to add to your pile. You'll be surprised how many people will be thrilled to participate. 2. Speaking of Spring cleaning, **have a neighbor you can assist with yard care?** while you're outside wiping down your own porch or cleaning branches out of your own yard, check on a neighbor who may need a hand with their own. If you don't know your neighbors that well, this is a good will exercise in getting to know them and being a part of community beautification. If you become inspired, the Horticultural Society has a [Tree Tenders program](https://phsonline.org/programs/tree-programs/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com) where you can request or distribute trees across the city. Finally, if you need to distribute Narcan, Plan B, condoms or hygiene items in your neighborhood (or even a private training) The Platia has resources for you. reply and I can set you up. Happy Spring, Annemarie What I learned during my day with Books Through Bars [Read more ](https://www.theplatia.com/what-i-learned-during-my-day-with-books-through-bars/) One thing you can do today: February edition [Read more ](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today/) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. This newsroom is based on mutual aid and all content is available for remixing. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Looking to donate clothing? Use this checklist URL: https://www.theplatia.com/philly-donate-clothing-checklist/ Last updated: 2026-03-12T19:54:04.000Z We've been talking a lot about Spring cleaning, and decluttering, and the ways to circulate resources through your community that you might be finished with. Going through your closet is a great way to start, identifying items you may have worn last year that don't fit, don't meet your aesthetic, or that you maybe even never wore. And donating those items is a great way to keep shopping down and clothe people who can't afford, or don't have time to refill their closets right now. After spending time with a few groups in the Philly area who collect clothes to distribute to different demographics, here are a few tips to help you decide what gets recirculated and what gets recycled. ### Patch or recycle clothes with holes Let's get this out of the way: If it's too damaged for you to wear, it's too damaged for someone else to wear. A quick stitch or patch might make an unworn item useful for yourself, or donating. But if the item is worn through, unfixable or tattered, the recycle heap is the best place for it. Damaged items might make great linens donations to animal shelters like the [ACCT](https://acctphilly.org/?ref=theplatia.com), or check the [Philly recycling map](https://www.phila.gov/recycling-donation-finder/?services=Textile+donation+or+recycling&ref=theplatia.com) for the closest textiles recycle center. ### Extra small and extra large sizes are in demand For people in rehabilitation or battling illness, donations of smaller sizes save the time and energy that might go into tailoring their existing clothes. Similarly, extra large sizes can be few and far between in donation hubs. In fact, there are mutual aid groups who do drives for only large sizes at different points in the year. If you have clothing in these sizes, consider giving your closet a walkthrough for anything you aren't in love with anymore. [The Wardrobe](https://careerwardrobe.org/?ref=theplatia.com) is a great place to bring business casual items, which will go to folks who need office outfits. They have several locations across Philly. ### Clean your clothes before throwing them in that donation bag Many people toss clothing from their closet directly into the donation bag, and that can mean people receive soiled and unwashed items. Do a wash before you donate so that you know you're giving clean items away. The added benefit here is that anything in your pockets will fall out in the wash cycle. [Homies Helping Homies ](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/contribute?ref=theplatia.com)is another Philly mutual aid group that will collect and distribute clothing to folks on the street. They accept lots of items for donation, so check their list before you arrive at a drop-off location. And if you're in South Philly, [Punks With Lunch](https://punkswithlunch.com/?ref=theplatia.com) accepts drop-offs at Mifflin Park on Fridays, and I can help facilitate that if you need it. If you have a large donation and can't bring it to these locations, reach out and I can help connect you with a mutual aid group that can pick up items. And if you have something in good condition that you aren't sure about, let's talk about it. ### You can volunteer at the Philadelphia Flower Show URL: https://www.theplatia.com/you-can-volunteer-at-the-philadelphia-flower-show/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T22:27:33.000Z It's a hidden fact (more popular by the day) that you can volunteer at the Philadelphia Flower Show and get free admission. I've volunteered at three separate shows, and saw drastically different exhibits each time. It's become something I look forward to and even plan in advance. Some quick facts: - You can sign up in advance to receive volunteer information at [PHSonline.org](https://phsonline.org/?ref=theplatia.com). [Looking at the volunteer hub](https://phsonline.org/volunteer/for-individuals?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=19639101525&gbraid=0AAAAADr1-uH6UnoKyBwOcC7Thcxx22Ut%5F&gclid=CjwKCAiAzZ%5FNBhAEEiwAMtqKy1gxKozc81LLh449auNqZ8J%5FgackdlFQjqxZq24xGms2GS7YhGsbDBoCRdYQAvD%5FBwE&ref=theplatia.com), I can see there are still shifts open at the flower show right now. - Each shift is about three hours long, and divided into departments. You could be helping with the horticulture, standing at an information booth, or acting as an ambassador when people enter the Convention Center. - You must stay at your post for the duration of your shift, so PHS gives us water bottles and an orientation prior to start time. Via email you'll also receive a map and tips sheet weeks ahead of time. - One shift volunteer session entitles you to free entry the day of your shift. Two shifts entitles you to a ticket. More shifts grants you a guest ticket as well. - Because I take being a show ambassador a little too seriously, I use my free entry to see the show prior to my scheduled start time so that I can suggest exhibits and vendors to guests. Most of the volunteers are PHS regulars who give their time every year and have a regular post. Their knowledge is paramount to knowing the tips and tricks. But the best part of this volunteer opportunity is seeing smiling faces exit the show hall after seeing the exhibits you recommended. What are some of the top questions I get from guests at the show? There are always a handful that stand out [so I compiled them into a video](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbmiGwjtAL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbmiGwjtAL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbmiGwjtAL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. This newsroom is based on mutual aid and all content is available for remixing. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Overdose prevention training this week URL: https://www.theplatia.com/overdose-prevention-training-this-week/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T04:19:58.000Z Join The Platia on March 3, to learn what to do when you see someone possibly overdosing on the street. You can [sign up at this link](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/savelives?ref=theplatia.com), but keep reading too! We'll go over the signs to identify if someone needs help, how to use Narcan, CPR sheets, how to stay safe while helping. We'll also talk about mutual aid with [Punks With Lunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) and ways you can volunteer immediately. The group provides food, hygiene items and harm reduction care to people in South Philly. This is a safe space: no question is too small or too big. As usual, I'll have harm reduction items for you to take home and care pamphlets. This event is at Maisy's Meeting House and is donation-based. All fees go directly to keeping Maisy's doors open so that we can have more events. And any [donations to me](https://venmo.com/u/Annemarie-Dooling?ref=theplatia.com) go directly to our overdose trainer and Punks With Lunch. **Sign up on Maisy's Meeting House website here:** [**https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/savelives**](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/savelives?ref=theplatia.com) **Thanks,** **Annemarie** ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly based on Greek community traditions where we break bread and discuss challenges. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### This group teaches you how to feed yourself URL: https://www.theplatia.com/this-group-teaches-you-how-to-feed-yourself/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T16:24:40.000Z This is not a Platia event, but a separate event run by the organization [C.R.O.P.S.](https://www.cropsnj.org/?ref=theplatia.com) in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey. I continually look to C.R.O.P.S. as I explore food systems, because of the way they're thinking about who gets food and where it comes from. C.R.O.P.S. is working toward [installing a food system in AC](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OEN3vnsMPKXwvjSJE6wacS3lId5qwxsN/view?ref=theplatia.com) that gives the resources back to the community through sliding scale farmer's markets and gardening classes. There's a lot to learn about putting the power back in the hands of the people and giving them the choice of what to grow, what to cook and how to take care of themselves in an area that could be classified a food dessert despite the prevelence of casinos and nightlife. One of the classes on offer this year is "Seed to Supper," a a five-week journey through planting your own produce garden. The first two events, "planning your garden," and "getting started with healthy soils," have passed, but the March 19, April 16 and April 30 events still have open RSVPs. Each class is free to the public. On March 19th, you'll learn how to begin planting your garden. April 16th brings a deep dive into pest management. Finally on April 30th, you harvest your bounty. Each event is held at 167 South Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, at 10am and [you can sign up here](https://www.trackitforward.com/site/1072937/events?ref=theplatia.com) or on the C.R.O.P.S. website linked above. If C.R.O.P.S. sounds interesting to you, they also accept volunteers on rotating projects and shifts. [You can find out more about that here.](https://www.cropsnj.org/?ref=theplatia.com) One Small Thing You Can Do Today [Read Article ](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today/) Where Does Our Food Come From? [Read Article ](https://www.theplatia.com/understanding-food-systems/) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. Sign up to receive information on events. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### How to be more involved in Kensington URL: https://www.theplatia.com/how-to-be-more-involved-in-kensington/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T21:47:07.000Z Misinformation often begins accidentally, just from a lack of knowledge. And misinformation about harm reduction abounds, from not thinking addiction could happen to you or your loved ones, to believing people on the street deserve their circumstances, to not understanding how needle exchange programs can help. But what happens in the Kensington area of Philly has direct impacts on you and the rest of Philadelphia. [Restaurants may miss shipments](https://billypenn.com/2023/08/04/kensington-philadelphia-encampments-restaurants-denied-insurance/?ref=theplatia.com#:~:text=Their%20main%20food%20supplier%2C%20the,in%20person%20to%20do%20so.) that can hurt their business, and new residents can [fall prey to dirty landlords](https://prospect.org/2025/02/03/2025-02-03-onion-of-kensington-fentanyl-philadelphia/?ref=theplatia.com) who take advantage of a lack of oversight in a community, and outdated policing programs [disproportionately impact black youth](https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/one-in-five-disparities-in-crime-and-policing/?ref=theplatia.com). That's why it's important to understand the context of Kensington, and the ecosystem we are all a part of, here in Philly. Here are some ways to do that: Prevention Point offers drop-in volunteering where you can learn about nalaxone and drug testing, and how that can help the community. You'll learn about the drug supply and where Narcan can help, and other measures of overdose prevention. [You can sign up with them here](https://ppponline.org/ways-help?ref=theplatia.com). Used needles are showing up on the ground in many Philly neighborhoods. You've probably come across one or two while walking your dog, and chances are you did not have a sharps container on-hand. If you find a needle, pick it up with tongs or thick safety gloves, and place it into a thick plastic container, like a used laundry container or thicker milk jug (not a paper milk carton). Throwing it directly in the garbage can be a danger to you, animals that get into the trash, and sanitation workers. [The city has several drop-off points](https://www.phila.gov/documents/safe-sharps-disposal/?ref=theplatia.com), as do groups like Punks With Lunch, who will collect this from you. Organizations like The Sunday Love Project provide food for families that live in neighborhoods impacted by the open air drug market. They accept donations and drop-offs that provide fresh produce and food to families and kids, as well as cooking classes on nutrition and health. [Volunteering at the store](https://sundaylove.org/get-involved?ref=theplatia.com) is a great way to meet people who live in Kensington and hear their stories. The more people you meet who have been impacted by drug use and drug policy, the more you will see how harm reduction can impact your own life, awe can identify harm reduction misinfo together. ### Learn life-saving CPR skills next week URL: https://www.theplatia.com/learn-life-saving-cpr-skills-next-week/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T15:08:20.000Z As a journalist I try to have people [who report to me](https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom/) on rapid response events take what's called "street medic training." Also called "Stop The Bleed," these are the kind of skills you should know if you may be in prolonged protest and areas of unrest – and that sometimes scares people. But they are also good skills to know if you cook a lot, have a kid or animal at home, or are generally clumsy (like me). In fact, last week I made the hasty decision to use a serrated knife too quickly and sliced right through the top of my finger. Good thing, I had a first aid kit at home with the right kind of bandage. A personal goal for myself is to learn more lifesaving skills I might need at home. That's why we're doing CPR this month. 436,000 Americans suffer from cardiac arrest a year, which most cases happening at home, with no warning. Starting CPR immediately, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest is 6%, but if you have to wait until EMS arrives, that survival rate drops to 2%. The American Heart Association says that during a cardiocirculatory emergency, the initiation of CPR "[by lay bystanders increases survival rates at least 2‐ to 3‐fold.](https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.117.005738?ref=theplatia.com)" Knowing CPR can also create calm during chaos, giving purpose and order to a situation that might cause bystanders to become unmoored. Suddenly you have a skill to help when a situation seems helpless. Getting a training together has been on my list of priorities for the last year, so I'm very happy to offer this class. I wish it could have been free, like other Platia events, but it was important to me to bring in a trainer and pay them. Still, this CPR event costs less than many others, and I hope that opens doors to people who have not been able to get the training. **This event will be held on Tuesday, February 24th at Maisy's Meeting House in Old City and you can sign up on their website at this URL:** I hope to see you there, and reach out if you want to know about other volunteer and mutual aid opportunities in the meantime! - **Annemarie** ### One thing you can do today URL: https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T15:50:22.000Z There are so many people who can benefit from community that it sometimes feels disorienting to know where to begin. But instead of waiting for someone to hand you a grand plan, you can do a small point of action today to make a connection with a neighbor. This is why The Platia revolves around a concept called [harm reduction](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/), or reducing the damage in our communities for the most vulnerable, from making sure everyone has food to eat, to raising our children as a village. Because we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors. If this is a new concept to you and you're overwhelmed with how to begin, here are three small steps, pick one to do today. 1\. Buy [a few hand warmers](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/thaw-small-disposable-hand-warmer-2-pack-25thaucasudsphndwrbda/25thaucasudsphndwrbda?sku=27693854&srsltid=AfmBOoocGRT8O%5FVXadmgcDSPeNu6q8O-NYXWks7LJ7TXqwWtg3%5Fj4Jcw2cI&ref=theplatia.com) in any local pharmacy, hardware store or dollar store. I like to buy the value pack because it makes them significantly cheaper. Keep a few in your coat pocket and hand them out as you see people who need a little warmth. That could be a city worker fixing a pothole, someone sleeping on the street, a young person at a protest, or anyone who looks cold. You don't have to validate their need, just ask if they'd like one. Groups like [The Everywhere Project](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com) (who we're having an event with on 2/15!) have more ideas on how to help the unhoused around you. If you can't make our event, [we have a wishlist for items that go in a cold weather kit](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3UX4CS4L4RJQT/ref=hz%5Fls%5Fbiz%5Fex?ref=theplatia.com) that you can use to make your own kits, or help us fill ours. 2\. Ask for the name of a person you see or interact with daily. Personifying the people around us helps us see our neighborhood as a community rather than a geographic spot of a map, and creates connections. While we've been trained to be individuals, we are dependent on every one in our communities to keep running, and learning their names is [the first step](https://thewelcomingtable.com/connect-with-your-neighbors/?ref=theplatia.com) to starting conversations that better the entire block. 3\. Take a plastic bag outside with you and pick up items of trash you see on your walk. I take my dog's bathroom bags because I'm used to turning them inside out so that I don't touch the trash, and they can hold a few pieces of garbage. By cleaning up trash on your street, you're not only helping with community hygiene, you're giving your neighbors pride in where they live, which is a gateway to other forms of harm reduction in the community. In Philly you can learn more about this work from folks like [Ya Fav Trashman](https://www.instagram.com/%5Fyafavtrashman/?ref=theplatia.com). If you're ready to take the next step from here, [events by The Platia](https://www.theplatia.com/platia-events-in-january-february-march/) will introduce you to mutual aid groups that keep our communities running. Come out, learn, meet them and help your community thrive. Thanks, Annemarie ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. This newsroom is based on mutual aid and all content is available for remixing. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Understanding food systems URL: https://www.theplatia.com/understanding-food-systems/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T15:48:26.000Z When I'm asked why a newsroom with a focus on harm reduction talks so much about food and eating, I remember that the culture around food that we see online is one of luxury. It's a culture of new restaurants and of the current place to be. There's not nearly enough talking about where our food comes from, who helps it get from the ground to the plate, and who gets access to quality meals. Being well fed, as part of being healthy, helps you make better decisions and empower your community. And even though we have an abundance of great cuisine in this country, there are still people who do not have access to enough food daily to help them thrive in life. Before we narrow down to those systems, let's understand what we can do at surface level to help change this. See the video below for thoughts on shopping in your own zip code, keeping an eye on neighbors who visit community fridges and buying from small businesses, all in an effort to build a robust food resource in your own community. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT8uPeDDohr/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Annemarie Dooling (@travelinganna)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT8uPeDDohr/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### Platia Events in January, February & March URL: https://www.theplatia.com/platia-events-in-january-february-march/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T23:04:11.000Z Welcome to a new year. We've got a lot to do and The Platia has a few classes on offer already. In January, The Platia is hosting a deescalation event that is at capacity. If you want to attend the next one, [please let me know](https://www.instagram.com/travelinganna/?ref=theplatia.com). **In February, join us for a CPR class.** The dummy for this class is expensive, so there will be a $30 cost to attend, which is still way below regular CPR class rates. For that price, you will be trained in CPR but will not receive a certificate, and also leave with emergency items you may need for your community, like overdose kits and wound care kits, and we will have beverages. [Sign up here](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/schedule/2a4de86c/category/Other%2520Clubhouse%2520Events?ref=theplatia.com). [**We're also putting together warming kits with our friends The Everywhere Project on Feb 15.**](https://www.everywhereproject.org/event-details-registration/winter-weather-kits-with-the-platia?media%5Fid=3813900156601720103%5F63402386156&media%5Fauthor%5Fid=63402386156&utm%5Fsource=ig%5Ftext%5Fpost%5Fpermalink)Join us to learn what people who sleep on the streets need during the colder seasons, share baked goods and talk about solutions we can do in our own communities. This event is totally free, but bringing baked goods is encouraged. [If you can't make it, please consider buying an item off the wish list for us to pack](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3UX4CS4L4RJQT/ref=hz%5Fls%5Fbiz%5Fex?ref=theplatia.com). In March, **I will personally host another FOIA training**. At that event we'll share how to file a [Freedom of Information Act request](https://www.foia.gov/?ref=theplatia.com) and come up with scenarios where we'd need to request information from the government that would otherwise be held back. . As always, if there's a training you want that I have not offered, let me know. There's a lot to be done right now, from feeding neighbors, to childcare and other community support roles. Let me know what would help you to learn more about. With gratitude, Annemarie ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. This newsroom is based on mutual aid and all content is available for remixing. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Is journalism "harm reduction"? URL: https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T18:54:27.000Z If you're new to The Platia, thank you so much. Let me take a moment to explain what The Platia is, and why I believe happiness and civic success is tied to information sharing. *The Platia* \[ plat-e-uh\] comes from the term for the village meeting space in the Greek mountains where citizens come together to cook, share concerns, and make community decisions. They make action over cups of coffee and enjoy their civic involvement. After years of travel and studying awe and happiness, I saw that we are sorely missing this in the US. Harm reduction is defined as the practice of reducing the harm associated with drug use. It’s a practice that believes everyone deserves dignity, regardless of their circumstances. But, it also aims to provide resources to people who live in communities that have been impacted by drug policy and laws. So, harm reduction includes learning how to use Narcan to assist a neighbor on the street, but it can also mean providing after-school resources in neighborhoods where drugs are likely to impact teens. It can mean making meals for community refrigerators, or understanding how open-air drug markets make it more difficult for nearby immigrant communities to be without grocery stores. It also includes understanding how misinformation and stereotypes harm our neighbors. *The Platia investigates how acts of care and putting resources back into the community can create thriving neighborhoods when municipal resources are dwindling.* **Why make a newsroom focused on harm reduction?** Because drug use and homelessness, and enforcement, have an outsized impact on urban areas, cutting off educational and civic resources and [creating decades-long harm in our neighborhoods](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK596363/?ref=theplatia.com). **How does this newsroom work?** The Platia puts the power back in the hands of the community through free and low-cost trainings and discussions where you don’t need to be afraid to ask basic questions. You might be writing letters to incarcerated people while learning about the prison system, or crafting charm bracelets while learning deescalation techniques. I also investigate the bigger concerns that keep the city in disparity, like the war on the poor, targeting encampments, and food inequality. That includes weekly newsletters of volunteer and mutal aid opportunities. Other than operating costs for website and materials, *all donations go to certified trainers and partnering mutual aid groups.* I have a fiscal sponsorship through the Tiny News Collective, a group of micro newsrooms aiming to improve their communities, and receive grants through various organizations; none of which tell me what to do with that money. I hope you'll join us at an event to understand how even small changes can impact your neighborhood. Thanks for reading this, and reach out with any questions. Annemarie Every donation to The Platia goes directly to food distributions, warming kits and Narcan classes. Leave a note if there's a special issue you want your donation to go to. [Donate here ](http://venmo.com/u/annemarie-dooling?ref=theplatia.com) Understanding food systems [Read more ](https://www.theplatia.com/understanding-food-systems/) How to find and help mutual aid groups that provide food [Read more ](https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups/) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of civic trainings & discussions in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. Sign up for alerts about low-cost events. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### What I learned during my day with Books Through Bars URL: https://www.theplatia.com/what-i-learned-during-my-day-with-books-through-bars/ Last updated: 2026-08-27T13:44:13.000Z Last week, in preparation for a Platia book drive, I spent the afternoon at Books Through Bars in West Philly. The small space is packed with tables and chairs for volunteers, lots of mail bins, and two full libraries worth of organized books. If you’re unfamiliar with the group, they are an approved organization that receives letters from incarcerated people and fulfills their requests for reading material through donated books. According to Books Through Bars, “[The United States is ranked #22 in educational attainment globally, but #1 in incarceration.](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/education-incarceration?ref=theplatia.com)” And though [people who take advantage of educational services while incarcerated are less likely to return to prison](https://elearninginfographics.com/breaking-the-prison-cycle-through-education-infographic/?ref=theplatia.com), the process to get the materials in their hands is a long one. The process goes like this: - A letter is sent from a correctional facility with the person's ID number and location. In the letter they request what they’d like. That might look like simply a list that says, “Please send crime novels and thrillers.” Or, that might be detailed, such as, “Please send me books by Dean Koontz and Stephen King.” - A volunteer with Books Through Bars goes into their libraries and finds that book or the closest relative option. - They sort the request to be checked and invoiced by another volunteer, who makes sure to identify each book, stamp it, and note what’s included in the package for anyone at the facility who deals with mail. Some facts I learned during the very thorough volunteer session with Books Through Bars: Many facilities do not actually give incarcerated folks the letters or mail they receive. They go through a Mailboxes Etc. of sorts and receive a scanned digital copy of the letter. Initially I had hoped to do a New Year’s card-making activity and we decided to write well-wishing letters instead, knowing the art in the cards wouldn’t actually arrive in their hands. The Books Through Bars stamp each volunteer stamps into every book sent out helps to identify the originating location, but it also helps other folks in the facility learn that there is an organization they can reach out to for reading material. Each facility has different stipulations to the packages received. Some allow magazines, while others do not, while some allow only National Geographic. Some do not allow hardcover books. All books must be in at least decent condition, and some allow only good condition. Puzzle, drawing and prompt writing books are popular, but low in stock (if you have them, donate them). A full series of a book, ala *Harry Potter* or *Twilight*, can be requested, so think about what you're willing to part with when you donate just book two of a series. Law textbooks and dictionaries are in demand. Overall, the amount of work is more substantial than even I could have guessed. Books Through Bars creates a service that helps people in the lowest part of their life to build confidence that they will be a productive member of society, and reminds them that they are still valuable as human beings. ## How you can help Find an ever-changing list of what book topics are in demand [on their website](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/donate-books?ref=theplatia.com), as well as information on volunteer training and [correspondence opportunities](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/address-this?ref=theplatia.com). Make sure that what you're donating has a use, and if not, consider other mutual aid groups that might be able to use those donations. ## Sign up for The Platia newsletter for mutual aid and volunteering The newsletter features people doing good work in Philly and small things you can do to help. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### The Platia 2025 Impact Report URL: https://www.theplatia.com/the-platia-2025-impact-report/ Last updated: 2025-11-24T20:14:28.000Z I want to thank everyone who has donated or attended a Platia event in 2025\. The idea was a big one: To take service journalism out of the gate-keeping newsrooms and teach the community how to care for itself through events. And the events shouldn't make you feel bad. You should feel positive, energized and ready to take action for your neighborhood, friends and family. I want to bring information to you in ways that encourage actions, like discussion, open questions and [chunking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunking%5F%28psychology%29?ref=theplatia.com), rather than push a bunch of articles at you. In keeping with transparency, it's important to me to explain where your time and money has gone. I know many of you who participate are going through your own life struggles, and yet you spend time to be part of a community. Thank you so much. Here's what your partnership has done. The impact of The Platia has been tangible. Since June we’ve held crafting and discussions on: - Food redistribution - Overdose prevention - Crowd deescalation - Mass Incarceration These events have had between 4 and 10 paying participants each, with all of them being 40 and under, living around Center City, Philadelphia, and having an interest in community service and the arts. They have paid from $5 to $20 to attend. A handful have come for free and promised a donation when they can. Several have purchased retail from the venue after the workshop. We introduce ourselves and why the topic matters to us. We share wine or coffee while sitting on couches. Sometimes we draw or make keychains while we talk. At each event people have received something to take home, like a Narcan kit, or deescalation one-pager to remember in the heat of the moment. I have done no paid marketing. For each event I: - Post to several local FB groups and Discord channels. - My venue partner messages her members, who do not pay to attend in-house events. - Post fliers at coffee shops around Philly. - Reply to people online looking for things to do in Philly. In former big media roles I would be taking this time of year to quantify reach: how many millions of page views and social impressions? As the owner of a micro newsroom, I have no page views, but I do have actual impact: - Everyone who came to overdose prevention has already used and requested more Narcan. - One of those people set up their own Narcan distribution center. - Four bags of winter clothing have been donated to a mutual aid partner. - Together, the Platia community purchased a hot water dispenser and enough coffee for winter outreach for a mutual aid partner. - A group commissioned me to provide private training based on a public event. - Together, the Platia community collected four boxes of books for incarcerated folks, to be dispensed through a partner organization. It has cost me around $1000 to run this program since June. That has included: - $150 Donation to the venue that allows me to host monthly for free. - $150 Donation to mutual aid groups that have provided me information. - $200 Payment to specialized trainers. - $300 Event items, like wine and craft supplies, gas to transport items, last-minute needs for community donations. Marketing print-outs, staple gun, etc. - $350 Website, domain, LLC status that will enable me to secure grants and bigger donations. *This cost will go down next year, and I'll be able to pay partners more*. What would I like to see next year? - I am choosing fiscal sponsorship over 501c3 to keep events and decisions as open to the community as possible, without a board or extra paperwork. - I would love venue partners in other neighborhoods, to expand the reach of programs. - It would be great to host joint events with more mutual aid groups to have a better understanding of the civic ecosystem and how my skills can help. - I would like to pay myself. Right now my writing pays the bills for The Platia. - I would like to email list to grow, even with out of town subscribers, just to get the word around about a new form of journalism that teaches and informs without scolding. If you can partner, want to hear more about my work, or have an idea that can help. Please reach out. I want to know what I can do to bring civic work to your life. ### Reporter's Notebook: Food Redistribution URL: https://www.theplatia.com/reporters-notebook-food-redistribution/ Last updated: 2025-11-13T16:12:19.000Z If you’re not familiar with the workings of a newsroom, there’s a small army of support staff that perform the research and take the written words and edit them, fact-check them, video them, code the page, answer reader questions and feedback, and grab the data. In other words, people with a lot of titles other than “journalist” get information into your hands. I have never held a title called “writer” or “reporter”, and because of that, it took me a long time to accept that I was, in fact, a journalist. Looking back at the work I did, with titles like “editor” and “correspondent” and the ever-ambiguous “lead”, I can very clearly see a common thread that would indicate that everyone in that newsroom is a journalist. **That indicator is power.** Having dominion over what a large group of people understand to be factual is power. Whether or not you write the words, being in a newsroom (or having a large social following, or similar) you have responsibility to the community you serve, whether that’s a geographic community or by interest or life stage. **Being part of the machine that gets information to people at scale influences what the general public believes, and that means you hold power. Let’s talk about what that means for me, as I provide information to you.** I recently wrote for Philadelphia Magazine about [grassroots groups creating systems to end food waste](https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2025/06/16/reduce-food-waste/?ref=theplatia.com). Between volunteering and food writing, I have a unique position to see the way food moves around this city, where it comes from, who gets it, and the impact of that. Specifically, I’ve been troubled by how a city with 100 new restaurants annually, with catered block parties and galas any night of the week and dozens of farms within driving distance, could possibly have a single hungry person. **I thought hard about the audience for this story.** Understanding the content it would live next to on the website, and people I see sharing Philly Mag stories, I knew that leaning into “how to help” would be most important to an audience who, likely, goes to expensive restaurants, doesn’t want to feel bad about it, but does care about the waste made in that industry. So, knowing who could help me frame the individual impact was important, and I knew exactly who to ask from being within the community. I’ve been embedded with one particular mutual aid group who passes out produce and meals to people throughout the city, not with the intention of using them as a source, but because I find their work interesting; there’s some natural magic in people who get their hands dirty rather than just talking about problems and I’m drawn to those people. **Did they know I’m a journalist?** It would have been very easy to not announce myself and, in fact, when I review restaurants I don’t announce myself unless I need photos or cooperation (*I don’t want to be treated differently than a regular consumer would because it makes for an untruthful review*). But this group knew I was a journalist from my first visit because not giving them the opportunity to protect their inner workings from a member of the media would be punching down and creating harm in my own backyard. When the time came that I had a story involving their work, I knew ahead of my ask that they had a blanket policy to not speak to the media. The policy to stay clear of journalists is common in mutual aid and grassroots organizing, stemming from years of disrespect and misunderstanding. They don’t believe they’ll be listened to, or are afraid they will be framed in ways that make their already hard work more difficult. **The more I report independently from a big publishing body, the more I sit with this knowledge and consider what it means to be someone in a community who reports information.** Does my role as a journalist usurp my duty as a community member and digital citizen, where my goal would be to elevate my neighbors? How could my words harm these groups in ways that might result in people not being fed? Why do we feel that being a journalist in a community and being a person in the community are separate? What does that say about the goals of journalism? For my reporting on the Philly Mag story, I wanted to answer complex questions about why food gets to some people, and not others. With so much excitement about new restaurants and Michelin guides, we still have an enormous food equality problem here and it was my goal to get into that issue. I don’t want to be responsible for ending any solutions that feed the community. I want to ask, “why do these groups need to work so hard and bend the rules to feed people in the first place?” [https://www.instagram.com/p/DK-7w9Utzg-](https://www.instagram.com/p/DK-7w9Utzg-?ref=theplatia.com) While I’m proud of the story I’ve put out, the hours of research, the days of interviews, the editing with a fantastic editor who understood how important this topic is, **there’s so much more I’d like to say about these smaller groups who act from the space of mutual aid, not charity.** I’d like to paint a picture of a group of people of different ages and backgrounds meeting at one space on the same day every week. Through closed chats they share information about where to find necessities like hygiene products, tents, tables, water and other items for successful and safe food distribution. **Where does the food come from?** Produce, snacks, meals and other perishables are acquired daily from other mutual aid groups who had leftover items after their distribution, kitchens and food banks with excess, stores and restaurants with excess who might call them with minutes to spare. On any given day a table could be packed with boxes of peppers, lettuce and apples from local markets or big supermarkets like ACME, full loaves of bread from bakeries and cookie shops, and hot meals from The People’s Kitchen or Double Trellis Food Initiative. The night before distribution, the chat lights up with assignments: who will go where to pick up what. Since there is no hierarchy in mutual aid, whoever is available will go on that run. **How does food distribution work?** Once tables are set up, you hand items to people who wait with curiosity and bags open. You try to balance both giving something to everyone and making sure there’s enough for the growing line. Behind the tables are volunteers: someone maintains the hygiene items (Plan B and detergent are popular and there’s always toothpaste and toothbrushes available), someone maintains the harm reduction supplies (kits for needle exchange or wound care), someone keeps an eye on the clothing if there are donations that day (socks are popular and often donated through a major retailer), and a handful of people together keep dominion over the available food, usually separated by individual items and produce, and hot meals. Produce is my favorite station because often people will look over all the boxes of fruit and vegetables and ask what they are, and what they can make. With such a diverse line of customers, there are always recipes and ideas to share, and I go home thinking about what I can make, too. Some people will choose very carefully by what they can carry and eat without preparation. Other people will take one of everything and build out a home menu. On rare days when there are items left over, group members have taken items home – after all, mutual aid means there’s no hierarchy and food should be free for everyone, and that includes volunteers. **What kind of people come to the distribution table?** All kinds of people. A person in need doesn’t necessarily look like a Warner Brothers cartoon, with satchel on stick, so it’s impossible to say who is truly hungry. Teens come to the table to try Double Trellis hot lunches. Children playing at the park come for fruit and water. Multigenerational families are always there, with strollers and walking aids. Customers span race, culture and ethnicity, across all age groups and varying levels of health. After the food is gone, the tables are cleaned off, anything extra is sent to food pantries, and the day is discussed: how many people lined up? What are the most requested items? This down time is often filled with deep community involvement. I’ve watched as this group gave safety information about lost family members to worried relatives. I’ve seen them break up fights. I’ve watched as they entertained children and organized clothing for people who were robbed. I’ve seen them discuss news events and pass out books. They know the names of most customers who come to distribution, they know their stories and needs. The work expands beyond providing a tactical resource to providing an emotional resource, which is much needed in an age of exceptionalism. Seeing someone at their lowest point and reminding them that we are equal is a radical act of love. Community care is handed out, with the food as the entry point rather than a gift of charity. There’s so much more to be said about how they do that, and also how they devote a lot of time to figuring out how to pay for everything from water bottles to latex gloves, how they communicate by giving everyone a say but depending on a core body to act on those decisions. It’s sometimes very messy. Other times my corporate brain is impressed by how a team with no true governing body can be so productive. This work is never done, it’s a very difficult endless cycle to lift all boats. Thinking about roles in the community, journalists are storytellers who are here to share these tales as far and wide as we can, to tell the world what is happening. We are also a part of that community and are only as good as the people around us. ****Tell me: How can journalists better report on what you’re doing in your community? What could we do to make you trust us more? What would make you believe a storyteller is trustworthy?** [Email Me ](#/portal/signup/free) ### Where to find Narcan in Philly URL: https://www.theplatia.com/find-narcan-in-philly/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T21:50:58.000Z Through many programs in Philadelphia, you can receive free Narcan to protect your family, friends and neighbors from drug overdoses. Narcan, a brand name for the drug naloxone, most simply reverses overdoses by blocking the opioid from impacting the body. It can be carried in a pocket or purse, and won't harm someone if they are not experiencing an overdose, just sleeping. You can find Narcan at the locations listed below, and you can find information on training and discussion groups at Platia monthly meetings. **I personally supply Narcan at these locations:** South Street Art Mart at 530 S. 4th St. Maisy's Meeting House at 39 N. 3rd St. Mifflin Square Park on Fridays, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you come to this distro to get Narcan, we can also teach you how to use it. **Other places to get Narcan:** Prevention Point at 2913 Kensington Ave. Prevention Point also offers mobile service vans at the following locations: **Tuesday** - 37th St. & Brown St, 1:00 – 3:00 pm - 54th St. & Market St, 3:30 – 5:30 pm **Wednesday** - Broad St. & Passyunk Ave, 8:30 – 10:00 am - 13th & Washington St, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm **Thursday** - Frankford Ave. & Pratt St, 12:00 – 2:00 pm - 11th St & Indiana Ave, 2:30 – 5:00 pm **Saturday** - 3rd St & Girard Ave, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm - 10th St & Fairmount Ave, 1:30 – 3:30 pm You can also receive Narcan at any of the 61 firehouses in Philly. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/71kMN9aRsYtN7RmBA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/71kMN9aRsYtN7RmBA?ref=theplatia.com) ### Free Event: How anyone can cite public records and file FOIAs URL: https://www.theplatia.com/december-event-how-to-cite-public-records-and-file-foias/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T15:20:03.000Z On December 3 I am hosting a workshop for creators in Philly where we'll learn how to cite public records and file Freedom of Information requests for documentation that you believe should be accessed by the public. This is part of a program I am building in partnership with my work with [News Creator Corps](https://newscreatorcorps.org/?ref=theplatia.com), where I run training efforts to teach journalism skills to content creators, with a mission to fight misinformation. The training will be taught by [Muck Rock](https://www.muckrock.com/?ref=theplatia.com), a transparency non-profit that offers journalism tools and training. These are skills usually reserved for journalists in-the-know, but we're opening this up to everyone. This event is for people who create content in any form, with any number of followers. We'll have a happy hour with snacks, and then get into the training. [Here's the registration to sign up. ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/news-creator-corps-citing-sources-training-tickets-1821278616369?ref=theplatia.com) ### Free food and how to help mutual aid groups URL: https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T17:45:08.000Z 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 you can receive from and drop-off to: - [Broad Street Love](https://broadstreetlove.org/our-services/meals/?ref=theplatia.com): Hot meals Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM at 315 S Broad St. - CARP: [Community Action Relief Project](https://phlcarp.wordpress.com/?ref=theplatia.com) in Kensington - [Northwest Mutual Aid Collective](https://www.northwestmutualaidcollective.org/?ref=theplatia.com) provides home grocery delivery in the 19144, 19119, 19129, 19138, and 19128 zip codes. - [Food Not Bombs](https://www.instagram.com/foodnotbombs.southphilly/?hl=en&ref=theplatia.com) and [South Philly Punks with Lunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com) 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. - [Face to Face](https://facetofacegermantown.org/what-we-do/?ref=theplatia.com#dining%5Froom): Hot meals served Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m. at 123 E Price St. in Germantown. - [Homies Helping Homies](https://www.instagram.com/homies.helping.homies/?ref=theplatia.com) provides food at Wharton Square Park Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - [The People's Kitchen](https://www.peopleskitchenphilly.com/?ref=theplatia.com) at 1149 South 9th Street in the Italian Market, provides daily meals in their fridge. - [The Everywhere Project](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com) 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](https://www.instagram.com/southphlcommunityfridge/?ref=theplatia.com) 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](https://www.instagram.com/germantownfridge/?ref=theplatia.com) has two locations: - 20 West Armat Street - 19 East High Street - [Friend's Pantry](https://www.historicasmh.org/friendspantry?ref=theplatia.com) at the Arch Meeting House in Old City - [Mama-Tee](https://www.mamateefridge.com/fridgelocations?ref=theplatia.com) 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](https://eastfallscommunityfridge.wordpress.com/?ref=theplatia.com) is filled by neighbors at 3507 Midvale Avenue - [Umoja Community Fridge in North Philly](https://www.instagram.com/umojacommunityfridge/?ref=theplatia.com) is at 2200 W Jefferson Street at Peace Park - [The Sunday Love Project's Greater Goods Storefront](https://sundaylove.org/services?ref=theplatia.com) is at 3200 Kensington Avenue and has food and basic items, plus some kid's goods. Wanna donate clothing? Read the guide here. [Read more here ](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-donate-clothing-checklist/) ### 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. - A recurring donation helps mutual aid groups with funds they can count on. A couple of dollars a month adds up – and donations to 501c3 orgs are tax-deductible. - Shopping at your local grocery store supports the local ecosystem and reduces waste because stores know what their community will buy, and they don't order more. - Mobilize your community with a sandwich-making day and reach out to one of the groups above for information on what day and how to pass the sandwiches off. Sandwiches are great quick meals people can carry on them. - Shopping from stores that utilize local farmer's markets means less packaging waste from food shipped overseas. That includes beverages and alcohol. - Before you donate understand what each pantry and kitchen needs. Some can only accept bulk items, while others can't utilize bulk. Some cannot accept hot food, while others prefer it because they are a 1:1 donation service. Ask before you drop off. - Think beyond food: Organizations need packaging and supplies, data entry, grant paperwork assistance, delivery drivers in cars and bikes, and maintenance and repair help on fridges and pantries. What do you have to offer? - Go to a distribution point to meet people and understand what food insecurity looks like. You might be surprised. Wanna donate books? Read about Books Through Bars and how to drop off your donations. [Read more here ](https://www.theplatia.com/what-i-learned-during-my-day-with-books-through-bars/) **Wanna look into mutual aid organizations yourself to find the best fit for you?** Here are just a few of the groups I have volunteered with, interviewed or attended events with. **Homies Helping Homies:** Food rescue, distribution tables, community cleanups and other neighborhood mutual aid in Point Breeze and surrounding areas.[ homieshelpinghomies.com](https://www.homieshelpinghomies.com/?ref=theplatia.com). **Punks with Lunch:** Food, Narcan, testing strips and other harm-reduction supplies. Regular outreach is at Broad and Snyder and Mifflin Square Park.[ punkswithlunch.com](https://punkswithlunch.com/volunteer-with-us?ref=theplatia.com). **Sunday Love Project / Greater Goods:** Free grocery store at 3200 Kensington Ave. Published store hours are Monday 9–11:45 a.m. for neighbors 65+ and Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–12:45 p.m. for all neighbors. Volunteer shifts should be confirmed directly.[ sundaylove.org](https://sundaylove.org/services?ref=theplatia.com). **Share Food Program:** Warehouse packing, farm work, pantry support, remote calling and Philly Food Rescue. The Philadelphia warehouse/volunteer center is at 3111 W. Allegheny Ave.[ Share volunteer opportunities](https://www.sharefoodprogram.org/get-involved/?ref=theplatia.com). **Sharing Excess:** Food rescue, produce gleaning, pop-up distributions and Saturday Sharehouse shifts. The Philadelphia operation includes the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and the West Philly Sharehouse at 5109 Warren St.[ Volunteer information](https://www.sharingexcess.com/get-involved/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). **The Everywhere Project:** Food, clothing and harm-reduction outreach. LOVE Park outreach is held Wednesday evenings at 15th and JFK and they hold many other kit-making events and training.[ Events and volunteer information](https://www.everywhereproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com). **Books Through Bars:** Volunteer work includes reading requests from incarcerated people, selecting books and preparing packages. Returning volunteers can attend Monday and Thursday sessions from 6:30–8:30 p.m.; first-Saturday drop-ins run 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at 4722 Baltimore Ave. Orientation is required before drop-in sessions.[ Volunteer information](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/volunteer?ref=theplatia.com). **Philly Unknown:** Volunteers can assist with outreach, compassion-bag preparation, initiative support, events, the organization's hub, donation pickup and the Ruth Street Garden. Contact them before attending.[ Philly Unknown](https://phillyunknownproject.org/?ref=theplatia.com). **Food Not Bombs:** Volunteers can help with food pickup and distribution in South Philly at Mifflin Park, or West Philly at Malcolm X Park.[ Food Not Bombs](https://foodnotbombs.net/?ref=theplatia.com). ## Sign up for The Platia A series of discussions and civic trainings in Philly, based on Greek community traditions. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Holiday card making and book drive event information URL: https://www.theplatia.com/november-2025-event-information/ Last updated: 2025-11-19T14:49:57.000Z Every month The Platia provides a space to meet new friends and discuss a major civic issue in Philadelphia. On November 23rd at noon, we are creating holiday cards, and accepting books that can be donated to people in prisons. This is a family-friendly card-making event. We'll be creating the cards at a cozy venue in Old City. All card making supplies, like card stock, glitter, pens and pencils and stickers, will be provided. And - hot cocoa! You can take the cards home, or we will be handing them to people who may not receive other holiday cards, through [Punks with Lunch](https://www.instagram.com/south.philly.punkswithlunch/?ref=theplatia.com). Please bring at least one book - in decent condition. We'll be accepting mystery and thriller books, business and documentary books, sports and self-help books; [you can read more about what's acceptable](https://www.booksthroughbars.org/donate-books?ref=theplatia.com#current-needs) through our friends at **Books Through Bars** who will make sure the books get in peoples hands. All costs of this event go to the venue, Maisy's Meeting House, and the two organizations mentioned above - the Platia is a non-profit newsroom. [You can sign up here on the Maisy's Meeting House website. See you there! ](https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/schedule/2a4de86c/appointment/84842925/calendar/11716358?ref=theplatia.com) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of discussions and civic trainings in Philly. Based on the greek village meeting place where you break bread and solve challenges, we encourage community action through interaction. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### About the person behind this newsroom URL: https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T13:50:39.000Z Working in the news industry for 20 years as a community and audience expert, I saw a lot of fear coming from news. I decided to build my own tiny newsroom to empower the community, called The Platia. **Every free signup helps me get more volunteers at events and built more mutual aid programs.** ## Sign up for The Platia The Platia is journalism as mutual aid. Sign up to get the free newsletter, because civic citizens are happier citizens. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. I'm a Brooklyn native who grew up in a Mediterranean multi-generational household, the first person in my family to attend college. [I've held leadership positions in major newsrooms](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adooling/?ref=theplatia.com) like USA TODAY and the Wall Street Journal, and have bylines at publications like The New York Times, Vox Media, Bon Appetite, The Miami Herald, and more. After being let go from a national newsroom, I spent time with family in a mountain village in Greece. I was inspired by the way the community came together in their plaza or "plateia" to take care of each other. I came back ready to put that into action here, to put power back in the hands of my own community. **The mission of The Platia is to use the tentpoles of mutual aid to solve neighborhood problems. There are a few ways we can work together:** - If you'd like to use any of the guides I've published, please do, link back when you can, and I'd love to see how you used them! - If you'd like to partner on a discussion forum or training, please reach out. - You can attend any of my events to learn about CPR, Narcan use, de-escalation, and other skills you can use to help your own neighborhood. - I can supply your store or event with harm reduction and public health items, like overdose prevention tools, emergency contraception, free food guides, ICE information cards, and more – all free. - I can teach your business or community group the skills of journalism, like how to file a Right-to-Know request against the city for information you are due. - I pay for every event out of my own pocket, and if you are able to, small donations go a long way. If you donate, please Venmo me at *annemarie-dooling*, mention that its for The Platia and provide contact information so that I can send back information on exactly what your money went to. [Read my writing and other journalism projects here](https://annemariedooling.com/?ref=theplatia.com) and [contact me here](https://www.instagram.com/travelinganna/?ref=theplatia.com). ### My Ethics Policy From time-to-time I might accept a free meal at a local restaurant as part of my work writing food guides. That content is designated to Instagram or freelance work published at a major publisher with my byline. Those meals do not guarantee positive writing, or any mentions in writing at all. Usually if I accept a meal, it's something new a chef wants to walk me through, or a new restaurant that might invite writers to a soft opening or to try a new menu. I do not accept payment from restaurants or anyone in the food industry to write about them. I do not accept free trips in exchange for travel writing. From time-to-time I might accept a toured or hosted trip to a place I might write about, specifically with my dog for dog-friendly articles. That content is usually designated to Instagram or published at a major publisher with my byline. Those trips do not guarantee positive writing, or any writing. Beyond the built-in tools of Google and social platforms, I do not use AI on The Platia. I accept donations from large corporations, including money and food, that go directly to the mutual aid groups I work with. That does not guarantee any writing or mentions in articles. I do not accept money from politicians or policy-makers. ### Free Civic Information URL: https://www.theplatia.com/free-civic-information-2/ Last updated: 2025-10-21T23:32:16.000Z The Platia trainings focus on harm reduction and community elevation. This page features information you can save under Creative Commons license, to create mutual aid in your own community. For more information email adooling@gmail.com. Free food redistribution checklist to save and share. [Download here ](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGwcC%5F48kk/AgLK9nOfhzzU343UUKAVsA/view?utm%5Fcontent=DAGwcC%5F48kk&utm%5Fcampaign=designshare&utm%5Fmedium=link2&utm%5Fsource=uniquelinks&utlId=hb1d440036f) Overdose Prevention 101: A guide to using Narcan and helping your community. [Download Here ](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGvIW485WU/rsEabQG87rPZD2V5V%5FsdVg/view?utm%5Fcontent=DAGvIW485WU&utm%5Fcampaign=designshare&utm%5Fmedium=link2&utm%5Fsource=uniquelinks&utlId=h0375ee7125) Philly wastes 206 million pounds of food annually. Here are tips from local nonprofits and mutual aid groups redistributing surplus food to help feed thousands of Philadelphians. [Read Here ](https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2025/06/16/reduce-food-waste/?ref=theplatia.com) ## Sign up for The Platia A series of discussions and civic trainings based on the greek village meeting place where you break bread and solve challenges. We encourage community action through interaction. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. [Return to The Platia](https://www.theplatia.com/)