The Housing and Homeless Services Division of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) has partnered with Jason Pinardo, South Philadelphia native and entrepreneur, to host “Pop Up Philly,” an event that seeks to provide a sit down dinner for local citizens struggling with homelessness and to raise awareness and funds for services to the homeless population.

Last year, Mr. Pinardo held the first “Pop Up Philly” event after successfully raising more than $20,000 in less than 72 hours. He hopes to double that amount this year. In addition to a hot meal, guests will receive a gift card, clothing items, and a backpack with basic toiletry items along with referrals to services provided by CSS.

Pop Up Philly works to lift the spirits of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable through action and compassion. It shines a light on the desperate situation of people living in deep poverty.

The Housing and Homeless Services Division of CSS is committed to helping people find a hot meal and safe place to stay through a network of shelters and residences such as Saint John’s Hospice (SJH), which is located in Center City Philadelphia.

For over 45 years, SJH has provided crucial and life-sustaining services with dignity, respect, and compassion. Each weekday, this outreach ministry provides a nutritious and hot noon meal for more than 325 men as well as case management services, on-site nursing services, daily showers, and mailroom services for over 900 men. Each year, it provides residential services for over 250 men transitioning from homelessness to independent living in the community.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia which assists more than 174,000 children, adults, and families of all faiths throughout the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://cssphiladelphia.org/. To learn more about Saint John’s Hospice, please visit http://saintjohnshospice.org/. To learn more about this year’s “Pop Up Philly” event, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/popupphilly.