Food: Five Community Gardens Enriching Philadelphia
Community gardens are spreading like weeds throughout Philadelphia. These beautiful green spaces ensure sustainable, fresh produce in a concrete jungle and provide a refreshing feel to a metropolitan area. Not only do these open spaces equip their communities with healthy food options, they also improve the daily quality of people’s lives and give them opportunities […]
Nicetown: Community Involvement is Key to Accomplishing Zero Waste and Litter
Philadelphia isn’t disparagingly called Filthadelphia for no reason: Cans, bottles, bags, take-out boxes and other types of trash are ubiquitous on the streets of Philly. But following on Mayor Jim Kenny’s executive order in 2016 creating the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, the city is beginning to discover some ways Philadelphia might eventually kick that […]
South Philadelphia: Co-op President Advances Local Food Access
Jessica Calter, a South Philadelphia resident, is inspired by her neighbors’ willingness to come together to solve problems in the neighborhood — including access to local, healthy foods. Calter is the president of the South Philly Food Co-op, a cooperative that is currently working to open a grocery store at 2031 S. Juniper St. How did you […]
PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods.com Magazine
In the summer of 2017, through a generous donation from Lew and Janet Klein, PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods.com invited five former students (Jonathan Ginsburg, Jared Phillips, Ramona Roberts, Brianna Spause and Bob Stewart) to participate in a fellowship program to continue reporting throughout the summer. Each week we posted stories online about the happenings of particular neighborhoods from […]
East Kensington: Green Spaces Foster Sense Of Community
Even in the increasingly solitary digital age, people still often feel the need for community in their lives. In Philadelphia and cities across the country, green spaces of all shapes and sizes can fulfill that need. “People like a place to congregate,” said City Councilman Mark Squilla, whose District 1 encompasses East Kensington. “If you […]
Spruce Hill: Greensgrow Urban Farm Talks Food Insecurity And Community
Greensgrow Farm was created to bring fresh, locally-grown produce to Philadelphia. Today, two locations and mobile markets (in Fishtown and West Philadelphia) provide fruits, vegetables, flowers and a sense of community across the city. The urban farm located at 5123 Baltimore Ave. seeks to raise awareness of the necessity of wholesome agricultural practices, as well […]
How To: Qualify To Receive Financial Assistance For A Water Bill
When Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez saw her constituent’s water bills, she knew she needed to act. Despite a new assistance plan in place, there were still people who owed thousands of dollars in late and overdue payments. “This is crazy,” Quiñones-Sánchez said. “This is a government owned utility. How did people get into this debt?” […]
Social Issues: Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez Talks Income Inequality
María Quiñones-Sánchez took office 10 years ago representing District 7 in Philadelphia City Council. Long considered a party outsider, it is not uncommon to find her battling politically with Latino leaders in her own neighborhood, as well as other council members. Her sprawling council district is comprised of a wide area, covering all or parts […]
How To: Start A Community Garden
Finding a place to care for plants or harvest crops in an urban setting like Philadelphia may not be easy. However, throughout the city there are more than 60 community gardens at the public’s disposal. If none of the established gardens are close enough to home, or the waiting list to join is too long, there’s […]
How To: Recycle, And Get Rewarded For It
Every month, Philadelphia throws out enough glass jars to fill the Municipal Services Building to the brim – you know the one, the 17-story building on 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. If not recycled properly, those glass jars will go to a landfill where they will take more than 4,000 years to decompose. The city […]