February 1, 2016

On a day off from classes in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, ten Dornsife School of Public Health students volunteered in West Philadelphia for a dinner service for the homeless on January 18.

The volunteer service was organized by the Chosen 300 Ministries, a collective of more than 85 multi-denominational ministries from across the city of Philadelphia whose mission is to serve food to the homeless in Philadelphia.

The Chosen 300 Ministries hosted dinner services in both Center City and West Philadelphia as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service. A group of Dornsife students joined other community volunteers at the West Philadelphia outreach center. The Martin Luther King Jr. service provided homeless patrons a hot meal, a warm place to enjoy their food, and a worship service.

“Service to others is fundamental to public health, and putting others’ needs first is essential to advancing human rights, even if it is as simple as providing a hot meal on a cold day,” said Anthony Picozzi, MPH’17. Picozzi, a Dornsife Student Government Executive Officer and head of the group’s Community Activism Committee, plans to arrange more outreach services in the Philadelphia community throughout the quarter.

To get involved, the SGO Community Activism Committee holds weekly meetings on Mondays at 11:30 AM at Nesbitt Hall Room 240.