Philadelphia-based nonprofit Mighty Writers, known for teaching kids language and critical thinking skills, has taken on a new mission in the COVID-19 era.
In the last month, they’ve given out nearly 2,000 lunches, 1,000 boxes of groceries and 20,000 diapers to communities hit hard by the pandemic.
“It grew really quickly, where it’s become a major part of what we do,” Executive Director Tim Whitaker said.
With neighborhood locations in Philadelphia, Camden and Atlantic City, Mighty Writers would normally be focused on their free after-school reading and writing programs for thousands of kids.
“It just seemed, when the virus came, a number of the families we work with work in the restaurant business, and they were laid off immediately," Whitaker said.
So, in addition to their online curriculum, they have also found ways to meet the more pressing needs of the communities they serve.
“So it was pretty clear there was a crisis going on, and it seemed like an obvious thing for us to be able to connect with places that could distribute food and then bring it to us, and we can distribute it on a daily basis right at our locations,” he said.
In addition to the food, kids are also getting writing packets so they can continue to get their write on — safely at home.
Trending Coronavirus Coverage From RADIO.COM
—Disney World receives guidelines for when parks eventually reopen
—How likely is a second stimulus check?
—Families face ‘tough love’ conversations as coronavirus infects whole households
—6 creative ways to celebrate Mother’s Day while social distancing
—No stimulus check yet? 6 reasons why it may be held up
—Doctor who pushed vitamin treatment for COVID-19 charged with fraud—Heartburn medicine being studied as possible treatment for coronavirus
—30-year-old teacher dies of coronavirus after symptoms were dismissed as panic attack
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram