Press Release: Volunteers, Elected Officials Pack 40,000 Pounds of Food on MLK Day 

Gov. Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro, along with other elected officials and volunteers helped Share Food Program nourish neighbors in need 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 15, 2024 – Today, Share Food Program welcomed 200 volunteers from organizations across the region, including Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro. Joining the governor and his family were State Representatives Morgan Cephas, Danilo Burgos, and Roni Green, City Commissioner Lisa Deeley, members of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, a group of individuals from Drexel University, as well as many other community volunteers. 

Teams of volunteers formed assembly lines to fill, weigh, and pack food into boxes to be distributed to community members facing food insecurity. 

This year, Share packed nearly 40,000 of pounds of food, which will feed hundreds throughout the region.  

“Share Food Program is so lucky to have an incredible support system of staff, community volunteers, and elected officials.” said George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program, “It’s days like today that remind us of how much we can achieve and how many more families we can help when we roll up our sleeves and really work together.” 

In addition to packing food boxes, volunteers at Share also engaged with area seniors via remote calls, volunteered at partner pantries throughout the city, and braved the cold weather to clean up Share’s on-site community farm. 

“I’m grateful for all the generous volunteers and supporters who rallied with Share to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and to serve others,” said Gregory J. Allen, PhD, member of Share Food Program’s Board of Directors, ”We hope that everyone who joined us today continues to be stalwart advocates for hunger-relief through volunteerism, donations, education, and legislative action. There’s no effort too big or small in our fight against food insecurity.” 

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About Share Food Program: 

Share Food Program is the leading hunger relief organization in the Greater Philadelphia region, working to eradicate food insecurity through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Through partnerships with nearly 800 schools and more than 400 community-based organizations and partner pantries, Share Food Program feeds hundreds of thousands of neighbors in need each month. 

To learn more and get involved, visit www.sharefoodprogram.org, or follow us on Facebook @sharefood and Twitter and Instagram @sharefoodphilly.