Pa.’s COVID-19 vaccine allocation creates ‘vaccine deserts’ in parts of Philly Jason Laughlin, The Philadelphia Inquirer
From Broad Street to the Delaware River, a swath of densely populated South Philadelphia neighborhoods have no easy access to desperately needed COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’ve got old people from South Philly trying to fudge their addresses so they can go to other states and other parts of this state so they can get vaccinated,” said Joseph F. Marino, president of the advisory council at East Passyunk Community Center. He has struggled for months to find doses for seniors who were regulars at the center before the pandemic.
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A volunteer prepares a meal via Catering by Design. (Jeffrey Holder/JEH Creatives)
When the coronavirus pandemic hit Philadelphia in the spring, a coalition of local nonprofits teamed up to help those disproportionately affected by a rising hunger crisis.
Now, more than nine months later, the cadre of nonprofits is still serving Philadelphians across three different city sites. As of last Friday, Step Up to the Plate had provided more than 400,000 meals to people experiencing housing and food insecurity.
On an ordinary day, lunches come in the form of bagged meals. On Christmas Day, a newly installed warming tent will be used to offer special hot meals for more than 500 people.