The College of Public Health is hoping to bring cheer this holiday season with a series of opportunities to support families in need. The college has sponsored nine families to provide gifts and clothing for children and funding for holiday meals through a program coordinated by the college’s Office of Community Engaged Research and Practice (CERP). 

Each department and the college’s dean’s office is sponsoring one family, collecting items that children and their parents have put on wish lists and raising monetary donations to go toward grocery store gift cards to support holiday meals. Then, faculty and staff will take part in a gift wrapping day before the gifts are delivered to the families.

In addition, the college is collaborating with the School District of Philadelphia Virtual Academy to hold a toy and book drive for Philadelphia children. Last month, in partnership with LiveToServePA, CERP coordinated a food drive to pack and distribute Thanksgiving baskets for 100 North Philadelphia families. 

For more information about how to make a donation to a sponsored family, contact Ra’Shaun Gass, department coordinator and community liaison at CERP, at rashaun.gass@temple.edu.