PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson hosted a food giveaway in Grays Ferry on Sunday.
The community lined up around the corner of James Finnegans Playground, desperate for food as local shops remain closed following the fatal collapse of a Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia parking garage earlier this week.
“Look at God. He said today I’m opening up something for you,” Mayor Park said. “Whenever y’all need, come and get it. We got it.”
Michelle and her neighbor Stephanie said the collapse has sent shock waves through the entire community. Complicating matters, the Fresh Grocer near the demolition site remains closed. Her grandchildren found out about the giveaway on Facebook, and they’re grateful.
“And come to look at Facebook, and you see they’re giving out help,” she said. “It’s not just help with food, it’s medical and getting help with your animals. It’s a little bit of everything here.”
Mayor Parker and Council President Kenyatta handed out boxes of food and reminded residents that Stephen Shevchuk, the man killed in the collapse, will be honored, an investigation into what happened at the garage will go on, and the community will get the help they need.
“We will all be working together. Just today, I want us to keep our minds focused on supporting the community at large,” Parker said.
More food giveaways will be announced throughout the week.
Officials said demolition crews will continue to tear down the last sections of the structure before recovery efforts begin to recover the remains of the two workers trapped in the rubble.
Local businesses, including the Fresh Grocer, remain closed, as crews work to complete demolition
Local businesses, including the Fresh Grocer, remain closed, as crews work to complete demolition
