New Catholic Charities Food Warehouse Receives Blessing

Catholic Charities of Philadelphia held a special blessing ceremony on Wednesday for its new food warehouse in Folcroft. The event marked the beginning of a new phase in the organization’s efforts to combat food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia area.

The warehouse, located at 9 Independence Court, will serve as a storage hub for non-perishable food items, supporting the Community Food Program. This initiative provides essential nutrition to approximately 1.8 million people annually who face food insecurity.

The Most Rev. John McIntyre, auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia and administrator of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP), presided over the blessing. He was joined by key staff members, including Heather Huot, secretary and executive vice president for CCoP, and Lizanne Hagedorn, director of the organization’s Nutritional Development Services.

The ceremony also included participation from government officials, donors, and community supporters, reflecting the collaborative nature of the effort to address local needs. The warehouse is expected to enhance the capacity of the Community Food Program and the distribution networks it supports.

In parallel, Delaware County is celebrating National Weatherization Day on October 30. Community Action Agency of Delaware County Inc. (CAADC) will host an open house to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Weatherization Assistance Program. The event will include client success stories, program information, and a workshop on energy efficiency.

The Weatherization Assistance Program, signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1974, has served every U.S. county and five U.S. territories. Since its inception, it has provided services to over 7.2 million households, offering energy education and home conservation modifications.

CAADC administers the program in Delaware County, focusing on reducing energy burdens for low-income families. The initiative helps households save an average of 20% on annual energy costs and returns $4.50 for every dollar invested in energy, health, and safety benefits.

The event will highlight the program’s ongoing impact and its role in promoting safe, healthy, and energy-efficient homes for communities in need.

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