Planting Seeds of Change with the Philadelphia Orchard Project
The Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) has been transforming urban spaces into thriving orchards since 2007. By partnering with community groups, POP designs and plants orchards filled with fruit trees, berry bushes, and herbs in lower-wealth neighborhoods, providing access to fresh, healthy food where it’s needed most. These orchards not only boost community-based food production but also offer environmental benefits and nature education opportunities.
POP’s orchards can be found in schoolyards, vacant lots, and community gardens across Philadelphia. The produce from these sites supports local communities, including an orchard at Bartram’s Garden and the educational food forest at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center.
In collaboration with the Junior League of Philadelphia, POP continues to make a significant impact. JLP volunteers assist during Orchard Work Days and played a vital role in creating the Learning Orchard at The Woodlands, a hub for developing climate-resilient fruiting plants.
Urban orchards are key to fighting climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing the city’s carbon footprint through local food production. POP’s latest venture includes high tunnels at The Woodlands Cemetery, where they cultivate both cold-hardy and warm-climate plants like figs, guava, and olive trees, preparing Philadelphia’s orchards for future climate challenges.
For more about POP, visit phillyorchards.org.
Healing Through Food: MANNA’s Volunteers and Programs Transform Lives in Philadelphia
MANNA, headquartered in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood, aims to improve health outcomes through nutrition for individuals with serious illnesses, such as cancer, renal diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Since its founding in 1990, MANNA has provided more than 22,000,000 meals to 40,000 people in need.
This impact is possible due to a team of over 9,000 volunteers who cook, arrange, and package meals for delivery throughout the Philadelphia area, including South Jersey and surrounding regions. These dedicated volunteers include members of the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) who participate through League-coordinated events.
In addition to nutritious meals designed to last approximately one week, MANNA also offers nutritional counseling from licensed nutritionists. Those who receive MANNA’s services save an estimated $13,000 per month in healthcare costs.
MANNA relies primarily on monetary donations but also hosts fundraisers, such as its annual Pie in the Sky event. Held since 1994, this fundraiser supports Thanksgiving dinners and services for community members facing nutritional risks due to critical illnesses. This year, MANNA’s goal is to sell 9,000 pies by November 24.
For more information about MANNA and its work, visit mannapa.org.
Building Stronger Communities: The Impact of the Community Center at Visitation
In 2003, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia opened the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center to promote community development. This site later became The Community Center at Visitation (CCV). For the past 21 years, CCV has served the Kensington area and beyond, offering educational, social, and wellness opportunities. Through these resources, CCV aims to enhance the lives of community members and those around them.
Throughout the week, CCV provides a fresh food pantry, health and wellness clinic, trauma healing support groups, legal services, ESL classes, and computer literacy classes. For educational support, CCV also runs the CCV Scholars Program, a tuition assistance initiative for children in grades K-7. These programs are made possible through the dedication of volunteers and are overseen by a small staff led by Executive Director Chantel Brown.
The Junior League of Philadelphia has been a committed partner to CCV through the Done in a Day Committee (DIAD). DIAD supports CCV by volunteering at events such as the Fall Harvest Fest and the Holiday Toy Drive and by promoting CCV’s Self-Care Saturdays.
To learn more about CCV and its work, please visit communitycenteratvis.org.