UPDATE: Saturday Free Food Distribution

Beginning in June, through a partnership with Share Food Program and the City of Philadelphia, SKCP and the Arab American CDC distributed free boxes of healthy food every Saturday in the parking lot of Al Aqsa Islamic Society. Unfortunately, with the coming of the new year, the Farm to Families program that supplied that food was suspended.

We are working to identify new partners and suppliers and now expect that Saturday distribution will begin again within the next two weeks.

At that time, we will continue to offer some delivery to nearby (19122/23) seniors and other immune compromised households unable to make it to the distribution site. If you would like to request delivery or assist someone on your block, or help with delivery please call and leave a message at 215-427-3463.

Together with the AACDC, we offer our Gratitude and Appreciation to the Share Food Program & to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) for the additional support that enabled us to extend our offerings and support more households. Much appreciation also to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product. And of course, to all our neighbors including everyone who received food and all those who volunteered to help distribute.

Find free food and meals during COVID-19 clicking here.

COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITY GROUPS

Phase 1a, 1b or 1c? Understanding Coronavirus Vaccine Priority Groups. Dena Bunis, AARP

CDC panel recommends Americans 75 and older, frontline workers be second in line for shots.

People age 75 and older and frontline essential workers, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, grocery store staff and U.S. Postal Service employees, should be next in line to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a federal advisory panel recommended on Dec. 20.

By a 13-1 vote, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also recommended to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that people ages 65 to 74, people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk conditions and other essential workers follow in what's being called Phase 1c, behind Americans 75-plus and frontline essential employees in Phase 1b. Whether or not to include all people 65 and older in Phase 1b consumed much of the debate during ACIP's five-hour meeting.

Read more here.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses. The COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed to Pennsylvanians in a phased approach.

*Have a question about the COVID-19 vaccines?

Call PA Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions, click here for answers.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING OPTIONS

Spread cheer, recycle right this year.

From presents and party supplies to wrapping paper and plastics, there’s a lot to recycle during the holidays. But don’t forget one of the most important items—your tree. The 2021 Christmas Tree Recycling program runs Monday, January 4th to Saturday, January 16th (8a-6p Monday-Saturday, NO Sundays) at the City’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers.
You may also drop off your trees on Saturday, January 9th and Saturday, January 16th (from 9a-3p) at these 13 designated locations:

54th St. & Woodbine Ave. 43rd St. & Powelton Ave.
Broad St. & Christian St. Castor Ave. & Foulkrod St.
1400 Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec.) 15th St. & Bigler St.
Corinthian Ave. & Poplar St. 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec.)
American St. & Thompson St. Graver Ln. & Seminole St.
Cathedral Rd. & Ridge Ave. Washington Ln. & Ardleigh St.
4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Rec. Ctr.)

Help the City cut down on costly contamination. For more on what you can and can’t recycle this holiday season, visit philadelphiastreets.com/holiday.

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How to let goats eat your Christmas tree, or recycle it another way in Philly
Danya Henninger, BillyPenn

You don’t have to trash that fir you so carefully decorated after it was chopped down. The folks behind the Philly Goat Project partnered with the Philadelphia Streets Department and Parks and Rec to get the trees to their animals this year. Douglas firs are apparently a favorite, but the goats will eat any kind of evergreen, according to WHYY’s PlanPhilly, devouring the whole thing in about 20 minutes.
Philly Goat Project tree drop-offs are happening at the following times and places:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, at 6336 Ardleigh St.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, at 6336 Ardleigh St.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at 3850 W. Ford Rd.

Read more here.

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Utility Shutoff Starting Soon!!!

Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers. Click the image to download the NEC list with addresses.

Contact a Neighborhood Energy Center (NEC) if you need help with:

(Download the list clicking on the image)

• Energy Assistance Grants

• Utility Payments Arrangements

• Energy Conservation

• UESF

• Home Repair Programs

• Budged Counseling

• LIHEAP

Heater Hotline
The Heater Hotline provides free repairs for income eligible homeowners with broken gas, oil, coal, or electric heating systems. This year round program can perform preventative maintenance and heater clean outs during the spring and summer months.
More details here.

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit https://clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

UPDATE: Saturday Free Food Distribution

Since June, SKCP and the Arab American CDC have been able to distribute free boxes of healthy food every Saturday with the partnership of the Share Food Program and the City of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, with the coming of the new year, the Farm to Families program that supplied that food has ended. We are working now to identify new partners and suppliers and hope to resume distribution within a couple of weeks. Further updates coming soon.

Together with the AACDC, we offer our Gratitude and Appreciation to the Share Food Program & to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) for the additional support that enabled us to extend our offerings and support more households. Much appreciation also to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product. And of course, to all our neighbors including everyone who received food and all those who volunteered to help distribute.

Find free food and meals during COVID-19 clicking here.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Thanks to you,
we've met our Annual Fundraiser goal!

We are so inspired by and thankful for your generosity, especially during these times that have made SKCP's work in the community even more critical. Your contributions will have great impact in our efforts to continue to serve our neighbors and expand our programs, and we will continue to highlight the "patches" of work we do as an organization through December 31st. That said, it's not too late to donate if you'd like to support these efforts as a part of the 2020 Annual Fundraiser!

Click here to DONATE

Package Theft TIPS

DONATE TO SKCP's ANNUAL FUNRAISER

Connecting our community to resources, opportunities, the land, and each other.
During these challenging and unprecedented times, South Kensington Community Partners has redoubled its efforts to connect our community with critical resources, whether it's distributing hundreds of food boxes to neighbors in need each week or connecting residents with programs to help prevent eviction/foreclosure or make needed home repairs.
Your support helps South Kensington Community Partners keep the lights on in our neighborhood office, reach more neighbors in need of support, and provide more cleaning and greening services throughout our service area.
We recognize that times are tough and greatly appreciate donations of any amount here.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

No ID or proof of income is needed. *Distribution is "first come first serve" so it is best to arrive before or as close to 4pm as possible. There will be a line, but it will move quickly. One allotment per family but you can pick up for an elder or neighbor. Offerings vary by week but include fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, bread, chicken, and eggs. Masks are required and we ask that you maintain social distancing to protect yourself, our neighbors and volunteers.

We are able to do some local deliveries (19122/23): Please leave a message at 215-427-3463 to request delivery or to volunteer to help with distribution.

SKCP would like to thank our valued partner, the Arab American CDC. Together we say THANK YOU to the City of Philadelphia and the Share Food Program & THANK YOU to Penn Treaty Special Services District for additional support that enables us to extend our offering and support more households. Much appreciation to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

SKCP Annual Fundraising

Connecting our community to resources, opportunities, the land, and each other.

During these challenging and unprecedented times, South Kensington Community Partners has redoubled its efforts to connect our community with critical resources, whether it's distributing hundreds of food boxes to neighbors in need each week or connecting residents with programs to help prevent eviction/foreclosure or make needed home repairs.
Your support helps South Kensington Community Partners keep the lights on in our neighborhood office, reach more neighbors in need of support, and provide more cleaning and greening services throughout our service area.

We recognize that times are tough and greatly appreciate donations of any amount.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Stay Informed on COVID-19 in Philadelphia

Here are some quick ways to stay informed:

• Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free text alerts with info and updates from @PHLPublicHealth.
  

• Residents with questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus can use the 24/7 helpline to talk to a medical professional. Call 800-722-7112

For the latest updates and information on COVID-19 in Philadelphia
please visit the Phila.gov webpage phila.gov/COVID-19

Pennie - Pennsylvania's NEW health insurance marketplace

Pennie - Pennsylvania's NEW health insurance marketplace - has extended its Open Enrollment deadline.
If you still need to enroll in health insurance for 2021, you have the opportunity to do so now. There are two enrollment deadlines:

• For health coverage starting January 1, you must enroll in an insurance option by 11:59 PM ET on December 22.

• For health coverage starting February 1, you must enroll in an insurance option by January 15.

Pennie replaces the federal health insurance marketplace for Pennsylvanians. If you previously received coverage through Healthcare.Gov, you will now receive coverage through Pennie. If you need assistance with any part of the enrollment process, Pennie offers resources and care representatives who can help

To learn more about Pennie and to shop for coverage, visit https://pennie.com.

LAST time to recycle your leaves.

Saturday, December 19th, 9AM - 3PM

@ American & Thompson Streets

Bagged Leaf Drop-Off will be offered city-wide, on Saturdays until Dec 19th at 13 citywide locations from 9 AM to 3 PM. Crews assigned to accept ONLY bagged leaves and yard waste as part of the program. No household rubbish will be accepted.

More here.

Utility Shutoff Information

• Need Help Paying Your Electric Bill?
  PECO's Customer Assistance Program can help!

• Need Help Paying Your Gas Bill?
  PGW's Customer Responsibility Program can help!

• What is a Neighborhood Energy Center?
  Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers

• Need Help Paying Your Water Bill?
  Apply for the Water Department's Tiered Assistance Program!

• DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR HEAT?
  THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) CAN HELP: online or Call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 to request an application.

• Are You Struggling to Afford Internet Access?
  Comcast Internet Essentials
  Other Internet Options - Pre-Paid Internet Service
  PHL ConnectEd
  Find free public WIFI at: https://tinyurl.com/wifiphilly

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit www.clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

FREE Boxes of Food every Saturday

1501 Germantown Avenue

(Parking Lot of Al Aqsa Islamic Academy)

Starting at 4 pm

No ID or proof of income is needed. *Distribution is "first come first serve" so it is best to arrive before or as close to 4pm as possible. There will be a line, but it will move quickly. One allotment per family but you can pick up for an elder or neighbor. Offerings vary by week but can include fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, bread, chicken, and eggs. Masks are required and we ask that you maintain social distancing to protect yourself, our neighbors and volunteers.
We are able to do some local deliveries (19122/23): Please leave a message at 215-427-3463 to request delivery or to volunteer to help with distribution.

THANK YOU to the City of Philadelphia and the Share Food Program and our partners The Arab American CDC. Much appreciation to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, Lost Bread, and Punch Buggy for their generous donations of time, space and product.

Recycle Leaves!!

It’s time to recycle your leaves.

Saturday, December 12th, 9AM - 3PM @ American & Thompson Streets

Bagged Leaf Drop-Off will be offered city-wide, on Saturdays until Dec 19th (except on November 28th) at 13 citywide locations from 9 AM to 3 PM. Crews assigned toaccept ONLY bagged leaves and yard wasteas part of the program. No household rubbish will be accepted.

More here.

Resources for businesses

Find services and support for businesses in Philadelphia here.
In the neighborhood:

• Finanta
  1301 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 | 267-236-7000
  finanta@finanta.org, |http://finanta.org/
  Services offered: Classes & workshops, Funding, Growing your business, Running a business, Starting a business

• NextFab North,
  1227 N. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 | 215-921-3649
  info@nextfab.com
  https://nextfab.com/contact/, | https://nextfab.com/location/north-philadelphia/
  Services offered: Classes & workshops, Funding, Product development, Starting a business

PA 30 Day Fund is Back Open!The PA 30 Day Fund is back! Once again, loans up to $3,000 are available for Pennsylvania business with 3 to 30 employees. No repayment is required. The fund promises a quick and easy application with rapid processing time, and any voluntary repayments will be passed on to other businesses in need.

Apply now and more details here.

DONATE YOUR TECHNOLOGY

PHLDonateTech: providing computers to families and residents in need

Closing the digital divide is more important than ever. Families need computers during the pandemic to learn, work, and connect. PHLDonateTech is the City of Philadelphia's latest initiative calling on residents and businesses to donate, recycle, and provide computers to families and people in need across Philadelphia. The campaign requests donations of laptops and desktops in fair or good condition. Have questions? Check out our FAQ. 
Learn more here.