Green Philadelphia Community and Volunteering

Greater Philadelphia Cares is the largest provider of volunteer services in the Greater Philadelphia region. The organization mobilizes over 15,000 volunteers to take part in a wide variety of flexibly scheduled projects that have a dramatic impact on the lives of residents in need. Each month, Greater Philadelphia Cares offers over 100 flexible, diverse service opportunities, as well as customized service projects for civic and corporate groups. Many of their efforts are directed towards environmental causes.

A nonprofit food distribution system, Philabundance is the region's largest nonprofit hunger relief organization. Philabundance offers a full plate of services to Delaware Valley residents at risk of chronic hunger and malnutrition. Last year, Philabundance received about 24 million pounds of food donations from families and business.

A campaign founded on the principle that when you buy local, you support the independent, one-of-a-kind businesses that make up the heart of Philly neighborhoods. Buying local keeps money in the community and builds a strong local living economy.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has run Philadelphia Green®, the nation’s most comprehensive urban greening program since 1974. Philadelphia Green has supported the development and ongoing care of community gardens, neighborhood parks, and high-profile public green spaces in Philadelphia.  Working in partnership with neighborhood residents, community organizations and city agencies, the program uses greening as a community building tool. It educates and empowers people to make the city a more attractive and livable place through horticulture.

Currently, Philadelphia Green® oversees the rehabilitation and management of several high-profile sites, including the grounds of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the adjacent Azalea Garden, John F. Kennedy Boulevard (from 20th Street to Amtrak's 30th Street Station), Penn's Landing along the Delaware River, and the 26th Street Gateway that leads travelers to the city from Philadelphia International Airport.

The Schuylkill River Center, home to the Green Woods Charter Elementary School, provides a number of exhibits and hiking trails where tourists can learn about the natural world.