Category: JLP Works Blog

JLP Partners: Community Impact Fridays

Jewish Relief Agency Fights Hunger and Builds Community 

The Junior League of Philadelphia partners with JRA by packing produce and assembling food bags for families in need. Together, we help JRA fulfill its mission of relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening our community.
Since 2000, the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) has been working to ensure that no member of our community goes hungry. Through its monthly Food Distribution Program, JRA provides over 6,000 low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia with kosher, nutritious food and essential home supplies.
Each month, volunteers pack and deliver boxes of food weighing about 15 pounds, filled with carbohydrates, proteins, and fresh produce. Families with children also receive child-friendly snacks through the Family Friendly Food Initiative, while seniors and other households can opt for Everyday Essentials bags with items like shampoo, toilet paper, and incontinence supplies. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, JRA expanded its offerings to include critical household goods like dish soap and laundry detergent.
What makes JRA unique is its home delivery model, which removes barriers like transportation and mobility issues while also addressing social isolation. Many of the individuals JRA serves are elderly or disabled, and the deliveries offer not only sustenance but also a warm sense of community.
For more information about JRA or to get involved, visit jewishrelief.org.

 

Riverbend Environmental Education Center Inspires with Nature-Based STEM Programs 

The Junior League of Philadelphia supports Riverbend’s mission through Volunteer Work Days, helping maintain the preserve and ensuring that Riverbend can continue to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Riverbend Environmental Education Center is transforming the way students learn about science and the environment. By combining nature-based learning with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, Riverbend connects students to the natural world while equipping them with critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Each year, Riverbend provides some 35,000 program visits, including school programs and off-site nature experiences, to inspire students to care for the Earth’s resources. With nearly half of their school program participants coming from underserved communities, Riverbend is dedicated to making environmental education accessible and impactful for all. Their hands-on inquiry-based programs bring science to life, fostering environmental literacy and empowering learners to take action for a healthier planet.
Riverbend’s innovative programs include STEM-based activities like aquaponics, nature preserve exploration, and outdoor lessons at their Gladwyne site or in schools across the region. When students engage in nature-based curricula, they’re three times more likely to find the material engaging and create lasting memories.
For more information about Riverbend’s programs and opportunities to get involved, visit riverbendeec.org.

 

Cathedral Kitchen Nourishes the Community, One Meal at a Time

The Junior League of Philadelphia proudly partners with Cathedral Kitchen, including hosting sandwich-making events that help provide additional food support to their guests. Together, we’re making a tangible difference in the community.
Cathedral Kitchen (CK) is Camden, New Jersey’s largest emergency food provider, serving over 100,000 meals annually to food-insecure residents in Camden and surrounding areas. But CK goes beyond serving meals—it’s a hub of support, empowerment, and community building.
Hot meals are prepared on-site, plated, and served to guests at their tables, fostering a dignified and welcoming environment. CK also provides groceries to local senior centers, supplies food to after-school programs, and collaborates with local pantries and soup kitchens to meet the broader community’s needs.
CK’s impact extends beyond meals. Their 15-week Culinary and Baking Arts Employment Training Course equips students with culinary skills, ServSafe certification, financial literacy, and job placement support, with over 86% of graduates finding employment within three months. Additionally, CK’s social enterprises, including CK Catering and CK Dinner To-Go, help sustain their programming while creating jobs in Camden.
Support services offered during meal hours include housing and utility assistance, mental health and substance use treatment, and personal care items for guests. Families can “shop” for free groceries through the Marketstand every Wednesday, providing choice and dignity to those in need.
For more information or to support Cathedral Kitchen, visit cathedralkitchen.org.

 

Face to Face Offers Support for Our Neighbors

Since 1984, Face to Face has been a vital resource for families and individuals in Germantown, providing meals, services, and support. What started with hot meals for neighbors has grown into a variety of programs that meet basic human needs while addressing long-term challenges.
Face to Face’s programs include a Dining Room serving farm-fresh meals in a welcoming environment, a Legal Center tackling housing and estate issues, and a Social Service Center assisting with benefits, housing navigation, and utility aid. They also offer health and mental health support, an art program, a computer lab, and even a Washeteria with private showers.
Junior League of Philadelphia members support Face to Face by volunteering to help prepare and serve meals and collect essential items for outreach packages. Together, we support their mission to meet immediate needs and create pathways to a brighter future for their guests.
For more about Face to Face’s work, visit facetofacegermantown.org.
 
Greener Partners are Growing Health One Garden at a Time
Greener Partners has been connecting Philadelphia communities to healthy food, farms, and education since 2008. What started as a small garden has blossomed into programs that distribute fresh produce, educate children, and strengthen urban gardens. Their work impacts thousands of people each year.
Programs like its mobile farm, Farm Explorer, teach children the joys of growing and eating fresh food. At Lankenau Medical Center’s Deaver Wellness Farm, Greener Partners has delivered over 14,000 pounds of produce to patients, proving the power of “food as medicine.” In schools, its Healthy Schools Project brings gardens, no-cost produce distributions, and farm-to-table education to students and families.
The JLP has supported Greener Partners’ efforts, including community food distributions and urban garden initiatives. Together, we’re empowering communities to grow their own food and embrace healthier lives.
For more about Greener Partners, visit greenerpartners.org.
 
Food Relief with a Mission: Garden of Health’s Commitment to Nutrition for All 
When organizations address food insecurity, it is uncommon for them to consider allergies and other food restrictions. Garden of Health addresses this need. Since 2015, the organization has partnered with food pantries to educate them about allergy-friendly foods, ensuring all donations reach those in need. This aligns with their mission to provide safe, healthy food to low-income families, including those with dietary restrictions, in Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
In addition to its food pantry, Garden of Health operates a food distribution system, maintains a farm in Harfield, and will soon implement aquaponics, combining aquaculture (raising aquatic animals in tanks) with hydroponics (growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution). A team of volunteers, led by Founder Carol Bauer, runs the organization’s operations, which are supported by frequent fundraisers and food drives.
Since its inception nine years ago, Garden of Health has distributed over 500,000 pounds of food, provided emergency pantry assistance to 811 people, supported more than 60 health relief organizations, and has consistently cultivated an 8-acre garden. For nearly the same amount of time, the JLP has partnered with Garden of Health. At the JLP’s most recent Annual Meeting, members collected food items to support Garden of Health’s food drive, further serving the community.
To learn more about Garden of Health, please visit gardenofhealthinc.org.

 

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.
Our Mission in Action: Highlights from The Junior League of Philadelphia’s September General Membership Meeting

The first General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the year took place on September 24, 2024, at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia. Members gathered for a cocktail hour to mingle before the official start of the evening’s events. The Annual Fund, Sponsorship, and Leadership Committees hosted tables to engage directly with attendees, discussing the opportunities each committee provides. Members were also encouraged to sign a poster reflecting their reasons for joining and continuing with the League.

JLP members sit at September's GMM

September GMM 2024. Photo credit: BeauMonde Originals

At 7 p.m., the GMM officially kicked with an introductory speech by our President, Kate Hall. The past year’s achievements were highlighted, notably the Thrift Shop’s exceptional performance in its 20th year. The Shop has already raised over $300,000 this year, thanks to the generous donations and active participation of our members. The V.P. of Marketing & Communications also discussed recent changes to Junior League branding, including new colors and logos that better reflect the diversity, energy, and mission of our organization. To commemorate this update, the Branding & Marketing Committee provided custom League baseball caps to each member.

 

September GMM. Photo credit: BeauMonde Originals

Following the initial presentations, life coach Joanna Platt from The Joy of Enough delivered an inspiring program centered on belonging. She began by challenging traditional perceptions of successful business professionals, noting that while children often draw leaders as men, the qualities of effective leaders—such as empathy, creativity, and resilience—transcend gender. She encouraged members to reflect on their own sense of belonging within the League, asking, “At what point did you know you belonged here?” This engaging session inspired members to consider how to foster an inclusive environment and ensure every member feels welcome within the League.

 

This GMM not only celebrated our accomplishments but also encouraged each of all attendees to strengthen their connections within the League and reinforce their commitment to making a difference in the community.

Finding Inspiration: A Sustainer Day at the Keen Collection
JLP Sustainers visit the Keen Collection of Outside Art in Philadelphia

 

“One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture…” — said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The Sustainer day trip on October 16 accomplished seeing a fine picture, as Goethe suggests. About 10 Sustainers gathered to view the Keen Collection of Outside Art at the Bethany Mission in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia. This private collection is owned by Victor Keen. The artists featured in Outside Art are self-taught and untrained in traditional methods.

The collection includes over 100 works of outside art, as well as several displays of antique radios, toasters, and toys. The tour was led by Molly Dougherty, Development Director, who shared touching stories about the lives and tragedies of the artists. Victor Keen also joined our tour, providing further insight into the art. The Keen Collection is truly a gem in the Philadelphia art community.

Spooky Finds: Halloween Shopping at the JLP Thrift Shop

By Corienne Myslinski

For those that participate, Halloween is just around the corner!

It reminds me that I need to decorate, carve a pumpkin, and think about what my costume will be this year. Naturally, this brings me to The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. Thrift Shop to see what’s available. Shopping for Halloween items at the Shop is a great way to support the JLP and reuse decorations and costumes. Plus, when I no longer need these items, I can donate them back to keep the cycle going.

I stopped by the Shop on September 29 and some items that struck my eye were:

These adorable invitations! I am not having a party this year but if I do next year, I have made a mental note to look first at the Shop.

Remind me next time I am here I need to donate some kitchen items so I can buy other kitchen items, like these super cute cookie cutters:

Or look at this unique pitcher and leaf dish:

These photos do not begin to cover all the Halloween items available. The Halloween section is located toward the back of the Shop, near the Lancaster Avenue entrance. While these specific items might not be there when you visit, the Shop always has unique and affordable treasures. As for me, I picked up this felt mask to use while handing out candy this year:

You never know what you are going to find at the JLP Thrift Shop!

Save the Date for Fall Fete, hosted by the JLP Fundraising Committee

When: Friday, October 18, 2024, from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased on the membership portal here for $120, which includes two adult beverage tickets and light hors d’oeuvres. This early bird pricing has been extended until Friday, October 11th! 

A ticket purchase does qualify for 2 Ways and Means credits. Angel Fund support is also available should you need a free or discounted ticket to attend, and can be requested on the member portal under Resources < Forms.

What is Fall Fete? Fall Fete is one of Junior League of Philadelphia’s largest annual fundraisers. Proceeds support JLP’s mission and benefit our community partners. The bulk of the funds raised come from the silent auction. The Fundraising Committee’s goal is to raise $8,000 from Fall Fete this year. 

What is the dress code? Cocktail attire. Embrace the nautical theme if you’re willing and able! 

What types of items will be featured at the silent auction? Many silent auction items will be a foodie’s delight! Gift certificates to fantastic restaurants in and around the city will be up for grabs, along with a Nothing Bundt Cakes basket that includes free bundlets for a year and a lifetime coupon! Fitness-related items such as a climbing certificate to REACH climbing or Club Pilates-Rittenhouse will also be featured. Want to get the kiddos out of the house? Bid on a one-year family membership to The Elmwood Park Zoo. 

What is Fundraising Co-Chair Ashley White most looking forward to at this year’s Fall Fete? The location and the views! 

JLP Hosts Events to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of its Thrift Shop in Ardmore

The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. is delighted to celebrate a milestone that truly marks a part of our legacy – 20 years of the JLP thrift shop operating in Ardmore, PA. Over the past two decades, the shop has established itself as a shopping destination, and according to the thrift shop’s website, has won awards and recognition from organizations such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, Main Line Life, and Main Line Today.

Potentially a reason why the shop wins local awards is because of the amazing items that are donated, making every day an opportunity to find something interesting. Suzanne Farley, the Manager of the thrift shop shared that once someone donated a Picasso Print that was authenticated and sold through Freeman’s Auction House.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary, Junior League members were invited to a luncheon hosted by the Thrift Shop Committee. There was food, fun, and guest speakers who discussed topics like closets, clothing, and undergarments. Shannan Allen, known as The Closet Consultant, helps women create a style that demonstrates their unique gift to the world and their brand. Karima Renee, known as The Philly Bra Lady, is a lingerie educator helping women navigate the vast landscape of bras and finding the perfect fit.

Cheers for 20 years in Ardmore and beyond!

JLP Members Represent at National Junior League Development Conference

During the weekend of August 16, JLP members Joan Allmaras, Victoria Denaro, and Sarah Hoang attended the Junior League’s Organizational Development Training conference in Norfolk, Virginia. “It was an incredible opportunity to discover how the Junior League empowers women and strengthens communities,” Victoria said.

Organizational Development Training (ODT), previously known as the Organizational Development Institute, is a specialized conference focused on organizational growth and personal development. Participants choose a specific track and receive the in-depth training needed to excel in their roles.

They spent the weekend connecting with other Leagues and gathering fresh ideas to enhance our own. Victoria said, “We’re excited to share these insights and implement the best ones for our League.”

All JLP Members Invited to the 2024 Annual Meeting

Each year, we hold our Annual Meeting to conduct the most important business of our organization. The Board of Directors, based on recommendations from the Project Advisory Committee, proposes the community work in which we will engage and the fundraisers we will conduct to support our mission. If needed, the Board proposes the adoption of, or amendment to, significant programs and/or policies. After Annual Meeting, members vote electronically on the motions presented.
This year’s Annual Meeting will take place on April 15 at the Warwick Hotel in Center City. The Placement Fair and Cocktail Hour begins at 6 p.m. with the Annual Meeting following at 7 p.m. All New Members, Actives, Transfers, and Sustainers are welcome. This event counts as an Annual Meeting credit to those in attendance.

Members are required to review the Voting Packet prior to the event. Please see you email for more details.

Additionally, we will also be collecting food items at Annual Meeting to support the Garden of Health Food Drive. See the JLP calendar for more information on the specific items needed.  

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at Annual Meeting!