The City Is Giving Out Free Boxes of Food to Anyone Who Needs

Starting Monday, March 30, the city of Philadelphia has free boxes of food prepared for pickup for anyone who needs one, with each box designed to last five days. This is in addition to the meal sites already set up for students while schools are closed.

The food can be picked up Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m to noon at any of 20 sites in different neighborhoods throughout Philly. The city, working with Philabundance and the Share Food Program, plans to add additional locations later this week.

It’s one box per household, and anyone can get a box — there’s no need to show an ID or proof of income. The food sites are listed out and plotted on a map here.

There are also more than 80 sites giving out food specifically to students while schools are closed. Forty-nine schools are open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Six Philadelphia Housing Authority community center are open every weekday, also from 9 a.m. to noon. Several charter schools are also distributing meals (the hours at those vary). No ID is needed; any child is eligible.

Anyone who wants to support these programs can donate to Philabundance or Share. The city also has this list of other ways to help out during the coronavirus crisis, from donating to the PHL COVID-19 Fund to making hand sanitizer for neighbors who need it.