McClinton joins Health Partners Foundation, community leaders to distribute 10,000 pounds of free food to neighbors in need
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton July 30, 2020 | 4:35 PM
State Rep. Joanna McClinton teamed up with the Health Partners Foundation, Yeadon's Mayor Rohan Hepkins and the Share Food Program Wednesday to distribute 10,000 pounds of free groceries and fresh produce to neighbors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"No one should be forced to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "However, that's the sad reality many are facing right now because of this health crisis. I am proud to partner with community leaders who understand these struggles and join in our fight to provide our neighbors with resources that help them overcome the coronavirus safely."
The group provided more than 700 families with meal packages filled with a variety of meats, cheese, fruits, vegetables, bread and other important resources.
"Helping vulnerable community residents address food insecurity is an essential part of the work being done by the Health Partners Foundation," said Staci Scott, president and executive director of the Health Partners Foundation. "However, given the current conditions we find ourselves in, providing access to wholesome, fresh food is more than just fulfillment of our mission -- it is the right thing to do at the right time. That time is now. Families are struggling financially, emotionally, and at HPF we’re just trying to do our part to help out. We distributed 600 bags of food to folks who need it most. It was a good day."
“We have not faced a crisis like this COVID-19 pandemic since the 1918 worldwide flu," Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins said. "We must rise to the occasion to take care of our residents of today who are likewise in need of help and food relief. What we’re proving today allows us to do just that. We’re happy to partner with the Health Partners Foundation, the office of state Representative McClinton and Yeadon Borough to provide relief for our residents in need.”
"In the last few months, I have spent countless hours talking with family, friends and neighbors about how COVID-19 has impacted them," said George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program. "I have continued to hear some common themes, one of which was the increased struggle to put food on the table every day. Food distributions like this are critical in today’s world, and we must do everything we can to make sure they not only continue, but continue to grow, so we can reach everyone in need across the Philadelphia region.”
McClinton also thanked all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, including members of Yeadon Borough Council, along with students from Harcum Upward Bound.
Just a few weeks ago, McClinton and the Greyhound Cafe delivered 50 free dinners to residents at Bartram Village in Southwest Philadelphia.