City Councilmember, Jamie Gauthier’s office is hosting its first 3rd District Back-to-School Drive for local families. Donations of backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off through August 25th at the 3rd District Office located at 606 S. 52nd Street, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Families with school-age children are asked to register if they want to receive school supplies. Please click here to fill out an online registration form. Additional info is below.

Although summer is in full swing, West Philadelphia community-based non-profit, ACHIEVEability, is preparing for the upcoming school year and gearing up to give away school supplies to 650 students. From now through August 4th, donated backpacks and school supplies will be accepted at the organization’s office at 5901 Market St.

The list of suggested donation items is below.

ACHIEVEability is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The organization was founded in 1981 by the Sisters of Mercy and known as Philadelphians Concerned About Housing (PCAH). The non-profit has grown exponentially since its launch and now serves West Philadelphia neighborhoods that are beyond the resurgence of University City and experience a 34.5 percent poverty rate.

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The annual Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Basket Drive has kicked off. CPN, in collaboration with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will again prepare and distribute food baskets for neighbors in need during the holiday season.

A suggested donation is $45. This amount will help the organizers feed two families in their commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” In the year before the pandemic, CPN was able to raise enough money to reach over 200 local families (800 people total).

As always, volunteers are an integral part of this event. Help is needed on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore), where the baskets will be packed and distributed. Please feel free to contact CPN at mlewis1071@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or donate bulk items for the drive.

For more information and to submit your donation, go here.

Today is Giving Tuesday, the day when we’re reminded of all the hard work done in our community by local non-profits and community groups.

Throughout the day, we’ll be posting messages from local non-profits and encourage you to support them with your donation or volunteer work. You can also find a list of local organizations on our Civic Life page. Continue Reading

There’s a chance to support Ukraine in West Philly. A benefit concert, titled Philly Loves Ukraine, will be held next Friday, April 8 at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut). The concert is featuring well-known local brass band West Philadelphia Orchestra and Sing Slavic, a West Philly-based ensemble.

“Ukrainians are currently facing a brutal invasion simply because of existing as a sovereign state striving for a freer, more democratic, and less corrupt future,” reads a message from the event organizer, Philly Stands With Ukraine (Facebook page). “Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, thousands of people have been killed, and more than 3 million people have fled their homes. To show our support for Ukrainians whose peace, freedom, and lives are threatened, we are organizing a benefit concert in West Philly.” Continue Reading

Walnut Street West Library, one of the oldest Free Library of Philadelphia branches, has reopened its doors to the public after last week’s fire in an electrical transformer located under the sidewalk on 40th Street, in front of the library.

“Walnut West [head] librarian Bruce [Siebers] arrived at work early last Thursday morning, January 20, before anyone else. When he turned on the lights, they flickered, then suddenly there was a WHOOSH and black smoke billowed into the rooms,” writes Alice Wells, a member of volunteer group The Friends of Walnut West Library. “He ran outside – smoke was visible from the street too. In moments the block was filled with fire trucks, police cars, an ambulance and PECO and PGW trucks.” Continue Reading