One small thing you can do today, plus fall volunteering and community events
It's totally free and can create big community change.
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. It’s for spending time in cemeteries, which used to be community meeting grounds (Dolly said it best).
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. 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 is hosting a free pumpkin carving from 2 to 7 p.m. at their Manayunk storefront at 4203 Main St.
🎃 Maisy’s Meeting House 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
🎃 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.
Reach out if I can help with anything, whether that's a Narcan training, setting up food distribution or a story tip.
Annemarie
