PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Al Black holds a special place in his heart for Philadelphia’s unhoused community.
“We live in a very selfish and cruel world,” he said, “and I just want to make a difference in someone's life where I can.”
Black co-founded Feed the People 215, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to feeding and clothing the homeless with love. That mission started with a small group on social media.
“When we started doing work at different shelters, it was probably 10 years ago. They stopped it and I just kept going, you know. I gained a heart for it.”
Black and his team set up makeshift kitchens, and prepare hot meals with care. He believes something about the act of sharing a meal serves as a reminder that everyone deserves warmth, nourishment, and human connection.
“Sunday morning, I'll pick up all the food and we'll take it down to Center City,” he explained. “I set up 6-foot tables with aluminum pans and sternos. And we just get it poppin’ and we start a line. You look up one minute at two people and it goes into 100 people, and we just be a blessing to the community.”
Black calls the people he serves his friends, and he treats them as such. “I know a lot of the unhoused by name. They know my name from going down for so many years,” he said.
“And it's more than just feeding a stranger. Some of them have my phone number where they may need $20 to get through the day.”
He keeps bundles of socks and water in his personal truck, which are some of the most requested items. He also includes his children in his philanthropic efforts.
“I wanted some of my children to gain empathy and sympathy for different causes. I wanted them to know that, you know, we weren't born with a silver spoon. I've been preaching that to them all their lives — and I think they got it,” Black said, adding a message to anyone who looks down on those struggling with hard times.
“Anything can happen at the split of a moment, so we just have to be grateful for the little things we do have.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors 10 individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2023 honorees here.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story identified Black as co-founder of Feed the People 215. Black is sole founder of the nonprofit.