Richona McKnight, Director of Development, and Anna Donahoe, Director of Women’s and Neighborhood Programs, od City Team Chester discussed the support they offer families and individuals throughout the Delaware Valley.  They discussed the widening gap between low-income wages and cost of living, and how more people than ever before are living in poverty in our community. CityTeam programs meet immediate needs while providing a path to lasting solutions.  City Team Chester is part of a national organization, the only east coast chapter.  They began as a soup kitchen, offering meals and expanded their services to now include programs for all ages and living conditions.  For men they offer 
the Men’s Renew Program with long term shelter and program for men in recovery from addiction, the Turning Point for Men and Connect Shelter with overnight shelter and long-term shelter for homeless men and Forward Housing, transitional housing for men who complete our programs.  They also have Turning Point for Women (transitional housing for young women age 18-24 and young women age 18-24 with children.  They continue to offer emergency relief, food, clothing even diapers and baby supplies.  To help cut the transportation barrier they now have a mobile food pantry to help reach local residents trapped within the Chester ‘food desert.’  Their holistic approach includes medical services, job coaching and parenting classes.  They are proud of their Hope Café, a twice monthly meal serving families restaurant style with menu choices and volunteer hosting staff.  They use these events and services as ways to establish trust and confidence in their agency.  We discussed individual and business volunteering and donations, both cash and in-kind supplies are needed.  

Finally, we spoke of the upcoming holidays, the line to apply for assistance began hours before they opened. City Team Chester will have nearly twice as many families requesting meals and holiday clothing and toys this year.  You or your company can adopt a family this year to provide the gifts and food needed. Another way to help is the annual Turkey Drop, November 22 at local participating Acme Markets.  Lead by John DeBella, the staff of WMGK and Beasley Media Group will be collecting turkeys, turkey coupons and other items, as well as cash, for the families served by City Team Chester.  

For more information on Turkey Drop, volunteering, donating or applying for help, visit CITYTEAM.ORG/CHESTER