PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Like many trying to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, organizations that provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need are doing things a little differently this year.
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, near 12th and Vine streets, was founded more than 140 years ago by philanthropist John Wanamaker. The organization originally planned on hosting a big celebration this year, complete with sit-down dining and TVs under a big tent. That all changed earlier this week when the city announced stricter COVID-19 restrictions.
“We ourselves are wanting to be responsible and to be able to respect and be in compliance with all of the other restrictions that other businesses and restaurants are following,” said Jeremy Montgomery, president and CEO of the mission. “But the other side of things is public health, and the good of those who are truly hungry can kill equally, particularly to those who are vulnerable and live in the streets.”
Instead, the mission is prepared to distribute up to 1,000 hot meals to the public, all from its parking lot on Thanksgiving Day. Temporary hand-washing stations and bathrooms will be available.
And they’re not alone. Cathedral Kitchen in Camden usually feeds approximately 300 men, women and children on turkey day. Now, the nonprofit is changing things up with takeaway food bags.
“We will do a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal to-go,” said Carrie Kitchen-Santiago, executive director, “but we also have a tent set up in our parking lot and there will be some combination of hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee. We will be giving out blankets to everybody. And, we are also giving out personal care items or hygiene items.
“A lot of folks who come for our meals are transient and may need basic things like socks, underwear, deodorant, hand sanitizer, masks.”
The clowns are just an added perk.
“Everybody can use some cheering up,” said Kitchen-Santiago, “so there are some clowns joining to spend some time, to put a smile on people’s faces. Because everything has been pretty grim, especially because of COVID.”
The Monday before Thanksgiving Day, Philadelphia police officers will be distributing meals to families outside of Catholic Social Services’ Northeast Philadelphia Family Service Center, rather than indoors.
At MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance), it’s a tradition for families to volunteer to prepare meals at the organization’s Parkway-area headquarters and deliver them to clients who are sick. But this year, the work in the kitchen will be conducted by a limited staff, in shifts and days ahead of time.
But as always, volunteers are still needed to deliver meals on the holiday.
“We normally have probably about 175 to 185 delivery volunteers,” said Jody Ann McIntosh, senior manager of community engagement. “This year, that number is going to be over 200, so there are still opportunities for folks to join us on Thanksgiving Day.
“And, everything is no-contact, from the moment you arrive at MANNA to get your meals to the moment you deliver the meals to the clients. So there is a complete no-contact delivery process.”
You also have until Friday to order one of MANNA’s pies for yourself. The Pie in the Sky effort is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Each pie sold feeds a family of four.
“The need for our services increased during the pandemic,” added McIntosh, “and we normally get another rush of clients coming in for the holidays as well. We have been fortunate enough to meet that need.”