PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC) has served marginalized communities throughout greater Philadelphia for 35 years.
SEAMAAC's mission to build a stronger community can be seen in its education, health and social services, and community development programs.
"What we found [is] that the hurt is across the community," said the coalition's director of community development, Andy Toy. "It's not just the Asian American community. It's not just the people of color. It's across the community in Southeast Philadelphia."
In the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition has been helping to feed people in Philadelphia with the help of other community partners, by giving out nearly a half-million boxes of food and meals.
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"We didn't stop," said Toy. "We don't ask questions. If somebody has a need, we're willing to make sure we get them food in the box or a meal, helping people overcome hunger and food insecurity in a neighborhood that is often forgotten."
The oldest and largest refugee-founded agency in the region also oversees a neighborhood garden in South Philadelphia that provides nourishment to more than a hundred families each year.
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"It still is a place for immigrants or refugees to call home, so they grow a lot of indigenous foods there, vegetables that they can't find at the store or are very expensive," said Toy.
SEAMAAC nurtures through food, provides support through challenging times, and brings communities together.
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This story is part of Asian Americans Making a Difference, a KYW Newsradio series in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Each week this month, KYW's Denise Nakano will profile prominent individuals and community groups in the Philadelphia region to draw attention to the contributions of people of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.