Press Release: Rep. DeLissio announces $2.25M in state funding for local projects, including $1.75M to Share Food Program

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 28 – Share Food Program and Gaudenzia Foundation Inc. will receive state grants under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, state Rep. Pam DeLissio announced today.

The Gaudenzia Diagnostics and Rehabilitation Center and Share Volunteer Warehouse will receive $500,000 and $1,750,000, respectively.

“These projects will expand opportunities for the recipients and those served, and the awards reflect highly on the hard work of their staffs,” said DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila. “I’m grateful to have helped secure funding for these projects, and I look forward to seeing the finished work.”

The awarded projects are:

– To fund the deferred maintenance and renovation of Gaudenzia’s current building at 3200 Henry Ave. In addition to sitework, the building costs include the renovation of an existing building for Gaudenzia. The main items include concrete, masonry, moisture and thermal treatment, doors and windows, finishes, conveying, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work.

– Share Food Program will demolish and renovate the west wing of the organization’s warehouse. The new structure will act as an entryway to Share and will expand volunteer and staff working areas. The new two-story wing will create a community-facing facade. The exterior of the volunteer entrance will be enhanced through the installation of new lighting. The parking lot of the entrance will be expanded to accommodate more individuals and their vehicles. New sidewalks will be constructed, and the area’s impervious surface will be mitigated through stormwater drainage.

Gaudenzia Inc. President and CEO Dr. Dale Klatzker said, “We appreciate Governor Wolf and key legislators such as Representative DeLissio and Senator Hughes, in addition to other friends of Gaudenzia, for recognizing the importance and value of continuing to provide the critical substance use disorder and other related re-entry services that Gaudenzia DRC has been providing for many years. This RACP funding will help Gaudenzia make necessary capital renovations to DRC to better serve our clients.”

Share Food Program is the leading provider of hunger relief in the Greater Philadelphia region, and our Nicetown warehouse is at the heart of our fight against food insecurity. The RACP award will improve our capacity and operational efficiency in the near term and future-proof Share’s operations. As a central food distribution hub for hundreds of thousands of folks each month, Share Food Program is part of the critical infrastructure for our society. We’re immensely grateful to Representative DeLissio for her support for recognizing the importance of investing in our facilities.

Share Food Program Executive Director George Matysik

The grants are sourced from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are state-funded and cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.