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Plymouth Whitemarsh High School World Language clubs help homeless Philadelphians

Colonial School District ›  |  Posted on
The PWHS World Language clubs packaged 250 comfort bags after school on the day before Winter Break. Several members helped serve the evening meal to people who are homeless after dropping off the donations at Grace Café in Philadelphia.

The Latin, French and Spanish clubs at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School came together to fill 250 comfort bags for the Grace Café. Grace Café offers weekly restaurant-style community meals for its downtown Philadelphia neighbors experiencing homelessness and struggling with food insecurity.

Between Thanksgiving and the Winter Break, members of the different clubs challenged each other to collect the most toiletries — including items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, cleansing wipes and tissues.

“I decided to donate my time because I feel that it’s important to help people in your community,” said PWHS Junior Rachel Kalani. “The most rewarding part about volunteering and donating to the toiletry drive was knowing that I was helping people who really needed it.”

The bags were given as a parting gift after the Sunday evening meal on December 23. Students who helped deliver the donations that evening also had the opportunity to help serve the dinner.

“I enjoyed being able to talk to these people and hearing their stories,” said PWHS senior Becca Porter. “It’s a great way to give back and connect with different people who have had different experiences in life. I have volunteered at different soup kitchens before and thought this was another opportunity to help more directly then just donating items.”

Grace Café is located in the basement of Arch Street Methodist Church across the street from Philadelphia City Hall.