President Biden visits Philabundance for the third time in Pennsylvania this year

President Biden visited Philabundance for the third time, where he volunteered and spoke with staff and volunteers about public service.

President Joe Biden visited Philabundance, the area's largest hunger relief organization, for the third time in four years on Monday. He was joined by Philly's newly inaugurated mayor, Cherelle Parker. This visit marked the president's third time in Pennsylvania this year, emphasizing the state's importance in the upcoming presidential race.

During his visit, President Biden spent about 15 minutes speaking with volunteers about his decision to become a public defender and what Dr. King meant to him. He shook hands, hugged, or fist bumped all the volunteers and Philabundance staff, celebrating and thanking them for their commitment to service.

The president and first lady Jill Biden volunteered at Philabundance for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021, just days before being inaugurated, and visited again in 2022, singing the Philadelphia Eagles fight song. Biden celebrated King's legacy in Atlanta and D.C. last year as well.

About two dozen volunteers, ages 13-33, were placing bags of rice, low-fat milk, taco shells, and other foods onto a conveyor belt while listening to music when the president and the mayor entered Philabundance's packing room. Half of the volunteers were AmeriCorps members, and the rest were recipients of Philabundance's services who were recommended by partner organizations or their teachers.

Biden and Parker stood next to each other along the conveyor belt, chatting with young volunteers who stood across the belt. Parker placed bags of carrots in the boxes that moved by her, and Biden handled bundles of apples. Volunteers were excited about the president's visit, and President Biden made sure to engage with each of them, making them feel heard and appreciated.

Philabundance CEO Loree Jones-Brown said that the president's visit was incredibly impactful, as he celebrated and thanked the volunteers for their commitment to service. He spent time speaking with them about important issues like the Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and initiatives through the Farm Bill.

The nonprofit Philabundance serves about 135,000 people each week across 350 pantries and soup kitchens in the Greater Philadelphia region, providing nutritious and culturally diverse meals. The organization also advocates for government assistance programs like WIC and initiatives through the Farm Bill.

President Biden's visit to Philabundance highlighted the importance of addressing food insecurity and supporting organizations that provide essential services to those in need. It also emphasized the significance of Pennsylvania in the upcoming presidential race, demonstrating the president's commitment to engaging with communities and addressing critical issues.

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