Community and Family

Michelle Obama’s ‘Pass the Love’ campaign coming to Philly

The former first lady — in collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier America and Higher Ground, Michelle and Barack Obama’s production company — seeks to raise funds to distribute 1 million healthy meals to families in need across the U.S.

The effort is part of the Pass the Love w/ Waffles + Mochi campaign, and its next stop is Philly, Obama announced via Twitter on Tuesday. | From WHYY (Read more.)

Community and Family

City of Philadelphia supporting children meal sites

The City of Philadelphia, along with the School District of Philadelphia and Nutritional Development Services, announced Thursday it will be supporting more than 500 child and youth meal sites this summer. The joint partnership is an effort to make sure children have access to free, healthy food. | From WHYY (Read more.)

coronavirus

Philly college students are struggling to afford food, housing

In 2020, 195,000 students from more than 200 colleges and universities across the country responded to the survey — including students attending schools in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia — and provides one view on the impact of the pandemic on students’ lives. The most common obstacle respondents faced this year was not being able to afford rent, mortgage, or utility bills. The number of students who said they experienced housing insecurity in 2020 rose by almost 10% from 2019. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Community and Family

African farming grows in Southwest Philadelphia

Earlier in the year, before the pandemic, Sankofa advertised to anyone with a yard in Southwest Philadelphia to sign up to receive a raised bed. The program is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, enabling Sankofa to charge just $25, about 80% less than the cost of the raw materials. | From: WHYY (Read more.)