PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A group of Philadelphia-area teenagers created a contactless alternative to food banks to help needy families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Helping the Hungry Virtually, or HTHV, puts grocery store gift cards into the hands of the needy. After her friend started the first chapter in San Diego, 17-year-old Théa Kerekes, a senior at Lower Merion High School, founded the Philadelphia branch in September.
"What we first did was reached out to our local elementary schools so that they could match us with families in need, because there are countless families in need in Philadelphia right now," Kerekes said. "Honestly, the best way that we can help these families is through the schools, because the schools really do know their families and their students a lot better than we ever will."
There are now eight HTHV chapters nationwide. Using donations from its GoFundMe page, the group mails grocery gift cards to those in need. Kerekes said the Philadelphia chapter has raised $4,700 and has helped 80 families in the city and the suburbs.
Rather than standing in line at a food bank, Kerekes said HTHV is contactless and provides a measure of dignity for the recipients.
"They've all been incredibly grateful. Very open, super nice," she added.
Kerekes said the endeavor has shown her how pervasive the issue of food insecurity really is.
"I obviously knew that a lot of people were struggling financially right now and do need help financially, especially with groceries and food, but I didn't realize how many people, exactly," she admitted.
Three other teens, Faye Berry, Jamaal Raheem and Jane Spencer, make up the Philadelphia chapter. Kerekes said the group plans to continue its work to help the hungry long after the pandemic has waned.
