The Philly October mutual aid and volunteering calendar
Plus free and low-cost civic events
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 am out every single Friday at Mifflin Park with Punks With Lunch. If you’re looking for a Narcan training, kit-making session or for free vegetables, come out with us!
Wednesday, October 14
The Everywhere Project — LOVE Park, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. (SEPTA: 15th Street/City Hall stations). 6:45 p.m. setup for LOVE Park outreach to hand out food, clothing, harm reduction supplies and more. Register before attending.
Philly Food Rescue — Claim food-rescue assignments through the app; availability varies by day. Sign up here.
Rail Park cleanup — 1300 Noble Street. 5:30–7:00 p.m. Help clean up trash and do maintenance at the Rail Park in Callowhill with other volunteers. Get more info here.
Garden maintenance with PHS – Glenwood Green Acres Community Garden. 9:00– 12:00 p.m. Volunteers will help with garden tasks like weeding and pruning. RSVP here.
Philly Repro Happy Hour at Nikki Lopez – 304 South Street. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. join Abortion Fund PA to talk with other advocates and health professionals about reproductive health and rights. Find more info here.
Thursday, October 15
Harm reduction kit making night with The Everywhere Project — 6 p.m. Check registration and location details before attending.
Books Through Bars — 4722 Baltimore Ave. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Volunteering hours for returning volunteers only to respond to request letters and pack books. Check out more here and RSVP.
Friday, October 16
Free food picnic with Punks with Lunch and The Platia — Mifflin Square Park. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Deliver or hand out food and harm-reduction supplies, make bagel sandwiches and coffee, and learn about kit-making. Message me to RSVP.
Lockpicking workshop at Wooden Shoe Books — 704 South St. 6–9 p.m. Free. Confirm before attending.
Clothing swap at the Velvet Whip – 319 N 11th Street. Join a fashion swap to clear out your closet and find new clothing without adding to the landfill or buying things. Event is from 6 to 9 p.m. and you can find more info here.
Saturday, October 17
PAWS Trunk-or-Treat Adoption Event — 1400 S. 33rd St. Noon–3 p.m. Adoption event and pet-supply drive. Contact PAWS to confirm whether volunteers are still needed.
Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival — Liberty Lands, 913 N. 3rd St. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free to attend and proceeds support Street Tails Animal Rescue. Features a pet costume contest, local vendors and food. Event details and volunteer info here.
Share Food Program — 3111 W. Allegheny Ave. 9 a.m.–noon. Pack food boxes for seniors. Registration required.
The Everywhere Project — Kensington outreach. Volunteers meet around noon, but confirm with TEP and sign up ahead of time.
Sunday, October 18
Homies Helping Homies — 2300 Wharton St. 10 a.m. Food and essential-goods distribution at Wharton Square Park. Reach out ahead of time to confirm.
Punks with Lunch — Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. (SEPTA: Snyder Station) 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hand out food and harm reduction supplies. Find out more here.
Monday, October 19
Books Through Bars — 4722 Baltimore Ave. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Volunteering hours for returning volunteers only to respond to request letters and pack books. Check out more here and RSVP.
ACCT Philly — 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Dog walking, cat socialization and kennel cleaning. Volunteers must be 18+ and commit at least three hours per month. Application and orientation required.
Tuesday, October 20
The People’s Kitchen: 1149 S. 9th St. Volunteer for shifts in the kitchen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Help prepare free meals or fill the community fridge on 9th street. Confirm shift times and availability before attending.
Share Food Program — 3111 W. Allegheny Ave. 1–3:30 p.m. Senior Food Box Packing. Registration required.
Sunday Love Project — 3200 Kensington Ave. Volunteer shifts are available helping people shop at the Greater Goods store in Kensington, for folks who submit the required child-abuse clearance before attending. Volunteer information can be found here.
Wednesday, October 21
The Everywhere Project — LOVE Park, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. (SEPTA: 15th Street/City Hall stations). 6:45 p.m. setup for LOVE Park outreach to hand out food, clothing, harm reduction supplies and more. Register before attending.
Punks with Lunch — Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. (SEPTA: Snyder Station). 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hand out food and harm reduction supplies. Find out more here.
Thursday, October 22
Broad Street Love – 315 S. Broad Street. 12:00–2:00 p.m. every Thursday. Sort clothing for Broad Street Love to distribute to their guests. You'll also assist guests looking for new-to-them items, like a personal shopper would. RSVP and learn more here.
Harm reduction kit making night with The Everywhere Project — 6 p.m. Check registration and location details before attending. Books Through Bars — 4722 Baltimore Ave. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Volunteering hours for returning volunteers only to respond to request letters and pack books. Check out more here and RSVP.
Friday, October 23
Free food picnic with Punks with Lunch and The Platia — Mifflin Square Park. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Deliver or hand out food and harm-reduction supplies, make bagel sandwiches and coffee, and learn about kit-making. Message me to RSVP.
Saturday, October 24
The Everywhere Project — Kensington outreach. Volunteers meet around noon, but confirm with TEP and sign up ahead of time.
Cook with the Asian Food Collective – The Community Hub (Formerly Old Pine Community Center). Shifts are divided between 8:30am to 10:30am and 10:30am to 12:30pm. All volunteers must fill out this form to be assigned a spot. See more about their mission here.
Familiar Hearts Animal Society Halloween adoption event – 6175 Ridge Ave. 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meet new animal friends who are looking for homes and enjoy vendors like tarot readers, teas and spooky things. No RSVP necessary.
Sunday, October 25
Homies Helping Homies — 2300 Wharton St. 10 a.m. Food and essential-goods distribution at Wharton Square Park. Reach out ahead of time to confirm.
Punks with Lunch — Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. (SEPTA: Snyder Station). 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hand out food and harm reduction supplies. Find out more here.
Monday, October 26
Books Through Bars — 4722 Baltimore Ave. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Volunteering hours for returning volunteers only to respond to request letters and pack books. Check out more here and RSVP.
Broad Street Love meal service – 315 S. Broad Street. Prepare and serve meals for clients at Broad Street Love, from 10:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday. Learn more here.
Wednesday, October 28
The Everywhere Project — LOVE Park, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. (SEPTA: 15th Street/City Hall stations). 6:45 p.m. setup for LOVE Park outreach to hand out food, clothing, harm reduction supplies and more. Register before attending.
Punks with Lunch — Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. (SEPTA: Snyder Station). 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hand out food and harm reduction supplies. Find out more here.
Thursday, October 29
Share Food Program — 9 a.m.–noon. Warehouse packing at 3111 W. Allegheny Ave. Registration required.
Harm reduction kit making night with The Everywhere Project — 6 p.m. Check registration and location details before attending.
Books Through Bars — 4722 Baltimore Ave. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Volunteering hours for returning volunteers only to respond to request letters and pack books. Check out more here and RSVP.
Friday, October 30
Free food picnic with Punks with Lunch and The Platia — Mifflin Square Park. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Deliver or hand out food and harm-reduction supplies, make bagel sandwiches and coffee, and learn about kit-making. Message me to RSVP.
Saturday, October 31
Sharing Excess — 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. West Philly pop-up food distribution at Malcolm X Park. Volunteers help set up and distribute produce. Check the registration page for open slots.
Solidarity Through Bars at Wooden Shoe Books — 704 South St. 2 p.m. Prisoner correspondence and letter-writing project. Materials provided; no personal address or funds required. Get more info here.
