The American Red Cross is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage and urging people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on the blood supply. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible. As a thank-you, all who come to give through Feb. 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Philadelphia residents can donate blood at the following locations:

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Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, high-quality healthcare services to those who face barriers to care, is coming to West Philadelphia to provide a comprehensive dental, vision, and medical clinic at School of the Future located at 4021 Parkside Ave on August 16-17. The clinic will provide medical care to those who might otherwise go without these essential services.

By bringing healthcare directly to those in need, RAM’s free clinics remove the barriers of cost and distance that often prevent people from seeking care. RAM Clinics offer free healthcare services that include general medical exams, women’s health exams, dental cleanings, extractions, eye exams, and prescription glasses made on-site.

No insurance or ID are required; this upcoming clinic in Philadelphia is open to anyone in need. RAM encourages anyone who could benefit from these services to attend and receive the care they deserve.

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The newly opened period pantry is open to all community members.

A new period pantry has opened at the Health Partners Plans Community Wellness Center, located at 6232 Market Street. This new hub addresses period poverty that impacts two in five people who menstruate. The pantry will provide free menstrual products, education on menstrual health, and access to community health workers who can assist with scheduling women’s health appointments.

Period poverty occurs when individuals cannot access or afford menstrual hygiene products and is often linked to limited access to basic facilities and running water. People facing period poverty frequently have to choose between basic needs, like buying food or paying for utilities, and purchasing menstrual products, which can lead to significant health and mental health challenges. This issue is particularly prevalent in large cities like Philadelphia and disproportionately impacts Black and Latina women.

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The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is partnering with several West and Southwest Philly produce trucks to promote fresh fruits and vegetables for neighborhood residents. The Philly Loves Fresh initiative encourages people to buy fresh produce from the trucks since it is not often available at local retail stores. Only about 19 percent of all food stores stock large amounts of fresh produce.

The initiative encourages residents to meet the owners and visit their trucks more often. Run by African immigrants or their families, some of these trucks have been serving local neighborhoods for over 30 years, often in the same spot! Here’s some historical context of how these trucks came to be in Philadelphia from the Philly Loves Fresh website:

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In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in school, reduce absenteeism and prioritize in-person learning after the winter break, the School District of Philadelphia will reinstate mandatory masking for students and employees for 10 days following the winter break – from January 3 through January 13, 2023.

This implementation is part of the District’s general COVID-19 protocol for the 2022-2023 school year that was shared in August.

District employees, students and families can pick up free at-home COVID-19 test kits at five school-based testing locations while supplies last. SDP testing locations will be closed on December 26 and January 2 in observance of the federal holidays.

Testing locations, the most updated COVID-19 data and more information can be found on the District’s COVID-19 Information Hub.

The School District of Philadelphia in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) has released updated COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the 2022-23 school year.

For the first 10 days of the new school year – from August 29 through September 9 – all students and staff will be required to wear masks while in school, regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level (see CDC COVID-19 Community Level Indicators).

Beyond the first 10 days of the new school year, masking is optional but encouraged for students and staff except under certain circumstances: Continue Reading