UPDATED: 4:28 p.m.
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Philadelphia began the program with 20 sites on Monday, to get it rolling in time to help residents through to the end of the month. Demand was so great that many sites ran out quickly, so Deputy Mayor Cynthia Figueroa said they will double the number of meals given, and they'll be distributed through twice as many sites, starting Thursday.
Figueroa said officials knew demand would be high when meal distribution began.
"I think we projected based on what we've seen at the youth meal sites, that they were going to be well-utilized. I was a little surprised at how quickly it ran out," she said.
Some of the 20 sites on Monday morning ran out in 15 minutes, some in half an hour. One church in West Oak Lane began giving out the food boxes when a line started forming at 8 a.m., and they were long gone by the time people showed up at 10 a.m.
"We did this relatively quickly based on the need we were seeing, so I think we learned a lot from Monday," she said.
The boxes are meant to contain a five-day supply of food. This program is separate from the School District of Philadelphia’s meal program for students.
"This is to augment existing community-based pantries and resources," Figueroa said. "The goal is not to take away from those resources but to augment those resources."
On Thursday, Figueroa said the sites will strictly adhere to the 10 a.m. to noon distribution schedule. There will be 40 sites this time and 16,000 boxes of food.
For more information and an interactive map showing where to find free food, visit phila.gov.
Rapid growth of cases
Philadelphia health officials released more grim numbers on Wednesday: another coronavirus-related death and 360 new cases.
To date, there are now 1,675 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the city, including 15 fatalities.
Of the total cases, 99 people are health care workers.
Of the new cases, 75 were previously reported to the state Department of Health, but there was missing information regarding county residence. They have now been reclassified as Philly residents.
“We are continuing to see a rapid increase in cases of the coronavirus in Philadelphia residents,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley.
Mayor Jim Kenney also said messaging from the federal government has been confusing.
“From, ‘It’s not really happening and it’s going to go away,’ to, ‘A quarter of a million people dying, but I don’t want to fight with any other government,’ ” he said.
Officials say the federal response has been more helpful recently, with a supply drop to local hospitals and an analysis that shows the city getting $26 million in direct aid from the $2 trillion aid bill.
Center City testing site
To keep up with the number of cases, the city has opened a new testing site in Center City, in addition to the one at Citizens Bank Park and some 20 others operated by hospitals.
The Center City site will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is not a drive-thru but health officials say it is easily accessible.
However, tests are by appointment-only, and due to limited supplies and lab capacity, Farley said this testing site will follow certain criteria, like other facilities.
“Tests are available for those with symptoms, who are health care workers, or above the age of 50,” he explained.
To make an appointment, call 267-491-5870.
For resources regarding COVID-19, visit phila.gov/covid-19 or call the Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline at 1-800-722-7112.