Volunteering on MLK Day of Service

In remembrance and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) employees volunteered at Jarrettown UM Church for a Caring for Friends meal assembly.

Caring for Friends is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, PA, that shares food & friendship with homebound, unhoused, and hungry people in the community and surrounding areas. Starting as a neighborly mission for founder Rita Ungaro-Schiavone, it has since expanded and partnered with fellow non-profit Philabundance to provide services to facilities, shelters, and other soup kitchens.

Michele Scholtz, who led the meal assembly event, has been volunteering with Caring for Friends for 35 years. “The need is being met bit by bit,” said Michele, who organizes a monthly event to prepare food. “I have a group of six or seven women who come out the third Wednesday of every month and put together 80 meals that I deliver to the Caring for Friends warehouse in northeast Philadelphia while picking up more supplies.” In speaking of the day’s events, Michele shared that the number would be doubled with the help of HCSG volunteers. “We’re going to supply 160 meals today through this event.”

The impact of the day was felt by everyone. “There was a great sense of community. With participants from all races, age groups, and backgrounds the event was the literal embodiment of Dr. King’s dream. I feel lucky to have been part of it,” said HCSG Employee Experience Specialist, Shanae’ Freeman, who helped organize the event with Jarrettown UM Church.

In a day filled with remembrance, teamwork, and service, the legacy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has left on the world persists as we continue to pursue helping others. In the words of Dr. King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”