ModestNeeds grants

At Modest Needs, we all know from experience how hard it is to ask for help, even when you really need it. We're happy that you've found us, and we'll do everything we can to find a way to help you. If you're brand new to Modest Needs and would like to apply for a grant, just follow the three simple steps here.
We know that, sometimes, applying for help can be confusing. To make this process simpler, we've written a 'Frequently Asked Questions' page just for applicants. This page will tell you everything you need to know about how Modest Needs works, from the kinds of grants we can and can't make to detailed information about our application process. You can access our FAQ for applicants by following this link.

More details here.

Wheels to Work!

Planting Potatoes @ La Esquina!

438 W Jefferson St

La Esquina gardeners will be putting lots of baby potato plants in the ground this Saturday (Aug. 14) and could use a little help. If you would like to help on Saturday or any time in the future or have questions about how to get involved with this lovely - and very productive! - neighborhood farm stop by or reach out: laesquinagarden@gmail.com

After a pandemic delay, Philly is finally opening 12 community composting sites

Michaela Winberg, WHYY

Philly is about to take a stride forward in reducing its impact on the environment. Starting this summer, some community groups will finally have a free composting option — after the pilot program was delayed a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Department of Parks and Recreation is opening its first 12 community composting sites, where members of those groups that applied to be part of the pilot can drop off food scraps and other organic waste at no cost. Also about to launch: Compost pickup at about 30 city rec centers, kicking off in September.
Streets Department officials say they don’t have the capacity to bring back widespread composting. But local advocates think this is a solid start. Now, some Philly prisons are composting, and they won an EPA award for diverting more than 44 million tons of food waste from landfills. But other than that, if a Philly resident wants to make a difference by composting, they’d have to do it in their backyard, or pay a monthly fee to a private company like Bennett Compost or Circle Compost.

More here.

What you need to know about the City’s plastic bag ban

Bria Spivey, Department of Commerce, Office of Sustainability, Office of the Mayor

August 1, 2021 - Retail establishments are required to have posted at all points of sale conspicuous signage informing customers that single-use plastic bags and non-recycled content paper bags will no longer be provided by the establishment as of October 1, 2021.

Details here.

SKCP COMMUNITY ZONING MEETING (VIRTUAL)

SKCP's RCO will host a virtual Community Zoning Meeting [pdf] on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 6:30 PM.

We will review the following project:

6.30pm 1300 N Howard Street

We will have time for questions during the meeting but we ask that questions be submitted ahead of time.

Please review the project, submit questions, and register here for the meeting.

If you prefer, you may also sign up by calling South Kensington Community Partners' office at215-427-3463 and leaving a message with your name and number. SKCP will provide reasonable accommodation to any neighbor that requests additional assistance with joining the meeting or otherwise submitting feedback on the projects.

REPORT 311@southkensingtoncommunity.org

Vaccination @ Cousin's Supermarket Berks

Vaccination Opportunity: July 24th, 10 am-1pm Cousin's Supermarket @ Berks 1900 N 5th Street

SECOND DOSE ALERT:
Did you know that being FULLY vaccinated can protect you from the Delta variant. People who are only partially vaccinated, which means they only have one dose of Pfizer or Moderna, are only 33% protected. Just getting that second dose raises your protection up to nearly 90% Have you or do you know someone that has missed their 2nd vaccination dose. If so, you can receive your second dose regardless of how much time has passed without having to receive the 1st dose again. More information and the registration link can be found here.

Latest COVID Vaccine News

Latest COVID Vaccine News

• Get a vaccine without an appointment - Starting July 7 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (8am to 1:30pm) at the following Ambulatory Health Annex locations:
  °Health Center 3 Annex (4219 Chester Ave, 19104)
  °Berks Street Annex (2001 W. Berks St, 19121)
  °Health Center 6 Annex (301 W. Girard Ave, 19123)
  °Health Center 10 Annex (2230 Cottman Ave, 19149)

• For more information about vaccine clinic dates or to schedule an appointment, visit www.phila.gov/vaccine or call 3-1-1.

Health Center #6 Vaccination entrance on 3rd Street

Philly officials say even fully vaccinated people should again wear masks inside public spaces

Philly officials say even fully vaccinated people should again wear masks inside public spaces
Stacey Burling and Sarah Gantz, Philadelphia Inquirer

The recommendation is meant to "normalize" mask wearing and protect children too young for vaccines. As the highly contagious delta variant fuels COVID-19 case spikes among the unvaccinated in many parts of the country, Philadelphia health officials said Thursday they now “strongly recommend” that everyone — including the fully vaccinated — wear masks inside public places. James Garrow, a spokesperson for the city Department of Public Health, said officials are concerned about a small increase in hospitalizations among children too young to be vaccinated. Vaccines are only approved for people 12 and older. National statistics also point to trouble ahead.
Read here.

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Updated Mask Recommendations Due to the COVID Delta Variant
James Garrow Board of Health, Department of Public Health

Countries around the globe, and states throughout the United States, are seeing the number of people infected with COVID rise as the Delta variant spreads. Even here in Philadelphia, we’re seeing more people test positive. Because of the rapid increase in cases here and around the country, and because we are seeing hospitalizations rise among children in Philadelphia, we are now strongly recommending that everyone mask while indoors in places where you do not know that everyone is vaccinated.
Read here.

SEPTA Summer 2021 Travel Survey

We would like to hear from you in our Summer 2021 Travel Survey. If you’ve taken one of our Travel Surveys in the past, you'll notice some differences with the new survey, but the goal remains the same: To help us improve our service and keep our passengers and employees safe.

View here the results from the SEPTA Winter 2021 COVID-19 Travel Survey

Click here to participate.

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Webinar: SEPTA is the WAY TO GO BACK
Aug 4, 2021 12:00 PM

Tune-in to hear what SEPTA is doing to meet your safety, security, and service needs through this recovery and beyond - including cleaning protocols, mask requirements, new fare options, and schedule changes.
Speakers:
°Leslie Richards, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
°Scott Sauer, Assistant General Manager Operations

Click here to register.

Report a Pothole!!

Get a library card

A Free Library card is available at no cost to anyone who lives, works, pays taxes, or goes to school in the City of Philadelphia. In addition, anyone who lives in the state of Pennsylvania can obtain a Free Library card without charge.

• Your library card will be valid for 60 days until you verify your account.

• After verification, you can request a physical card by visiting any of our library locations.

You will be asked for identification the first time you borrow physical materials with your new card.

Click here to apply.

New app connects conflict resolution volunteers to those in need

Michael D’Onofrio, Philadelphia Tribune

Got a conflict that needs resolving? There’s an app for that. Philly Truce, a phone app that launched in May, is angling to become the Uber of conflict resolution by offering a safe space for volunteer community mediators to connect with those seeking assistance.
The app also is an alternative to interacting with Philadelphia police officers, whom many African Americans don’t trust. It has the backing of the Philadelphia Interfaith Coalition, as well as some city and state officials.

Click here to how it works

Covid-19 vaccines: How to talk to friends & family

COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out in Pennsylvania, bringing us new hope and a path back to our lives. Every Pennsylvanian who chooses to get vaccinated brings us a step closer to moving past the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we can defeat the virus. Many of us have friends and family who are hesitant to get the vaccine. Here are some ideas for how to talk to loved ones about their concerns in a safe and supportive way.

More here.

Learn about the Covid-19 variants.

Register Here Registration link: https://bit.ly/3hdVQ5d

Covid-19 vaccine clinic @ Norris Square Park

Click here for additional sites, FAQ and upcoming schedule.

Covid-19 Vaccine SECOND DOSE ALERT

Did you know that being FULLY vaccinated can protect you from the Delta variant. People who are only partially vaccinated, which means they only have one dose of Pfizer or Moderna, are only 33% protected. Just getting that second dose raises your protection up to nearly 90% Have you or do you know someone that has missed their 2nd vaccination dose. If so, you can receive your second dose regardless of how much time has passed without having to receive the 1st dose again. More information and the registration link can be found here.

Vaccination Opportunity

Friday, July 16, 4-7 pm
Pop Vaccine Clinic (NEPCA)
1013 Cottman Ave, 19111

Friday 1-4 pm, Every Friday- August 20th
Logan Library 1333 Wagner Ave, 19141

Saturday, July 17, 9-1 pm
Cognitive Behavioral Health Services
3257 N 6th St, 19140

Child Tax Credit: how to enroll

If families didn’t make enough to be required to file taxes in 2020 or 2019, they can still get benefits by signing up using the IRS non-filer portal. They can also find out whether they are eligible and enrolled to receive their payment using the IRS online tool. The tool also allows individuals to provide or update bank account information or unenroll from advance payments.

Info from the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project (via PhillyTenant.org)

View the information clicking here.