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Recognizing and thanking the many faith-based organizations across the City-synagogues, churches, and mosques-for their activism and service to the public throughout the pandemic in providing the citizens of Philadelphia with food, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
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WHEREAS, The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges to the residents of Philadelphia with respect to public health and basic needs such as food, protective equipment and testing. In the City’s time of need, faith-based organizations rose to the challenge of partnering with the City and the private sector to provide much needed services to the members of our communities; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Sharon Baptist Church, led by Bishop Keith Reed in Wynnefield Heights, is to use the Bible to holistically develop people by Evangelizing the lost. Sharon Baptist Church hosted a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinic to assist residents in receiving a vaccine. The church started a community food distribution site that serves the needy every Saturday. They also provided free bagged lunches to children and families in need, distributed Thanksgiving food baskets, hosted a flu vaccine clinic, and served as a location for a COVID-19 testing facility; and
WHEREAS, Masjidullah, led by Imam W. Dean Mohammed, is a West Oak Lane place of worship that promotes faith, community and family with the guidance provided by Al-Islam in accordance with the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. In May of 2020, Masjidullah, in partnership with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, successfully tested nearly 300 individuals for the coronavirus at their mosque in Philadelphia. Masjidullah also participated in food distribution efforts as well as grab-and-go iftar dinners, all while offering weekly online classes and discussions to keep the community engaged; and
WHEREAS, Rodeph Sholom, led by Senior Rabbi Jill Maderer, is a Synagogue at 615 N. Broad Street that dedicates itself to Judaism's faithful message of treating each other with loving kindness. Rodeph Sholom created a COVID-19 Neighborhood Social Justice Fund allowing individuals to make a tzedakah to aid neighborhood nonprofits in need. They also hosted virtual services to keep members of the congregation engaged; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Masjid at Sister Clara Muhammad, led by Imam Nuriddin, is an Islamic place of worship and educational facility located in West Philadelphia. They have a mission to educate those in the community. Philadelphia Masjid has prepared nearly 300 meals per night for individuals in need. The group has also opened their doors as a distribution site to give out more than 200 meals to families in need. They also served as a vaccination clinic to aid Philadelphia residents in receiving their COVID-19 vaccine; and
WHEREAS, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, led by Rev. Dr. Donald D. Moore, is a West Philadelphia based religious organization that teaches, preaches, and interprets the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In partnership with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, the Church offered a COVID-19 testing facility which allowed members of the West Philadelphia community to be tested for the coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, The Vine Memorial Baptist Church, led by Rev. Ralph E. Blanks, is a church in West Philadelphia that has served the community for nearly 90 years. The church has hosted a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, a COVID-19 testing facility, and has organized food distribution to members of the local community; and
WHEREAS, The Calvary Baptist Church, led by Dr. Garth Gabriel Gittens, is a West Philadelphia based church committed to upholding the Biblical standard of inclusiveness. The Church has hosted COVID-19 vaccination clinics and has participated in food distribution to the community; and
WHEREAS, Masjid Muhammad, led by Imam Suetwidien Muhammad, is a local mosque in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The mosque has hosted weekly food distributions including weekly breakfasts, as well as grab and go iftar dinners. They have also served breakfast and lunch to school aged children during school closures as a result of the pandemic. The organization also worked to distribute winter coats, socks, and gloves during winter clothes drives; and
WHEREAS, The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, led by Pastor Robert Collier from the Galilee Baptist Church in Roxborough, is a local community organization. They have worked to sponsor COVID-19 webinars and have worked to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine clinics. The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity helped to launch the All Faith Vaccination Campaign to provide vaccines to at-risk and marginalized communities in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Leadership is about stepping up during difficult times. The above-mentioned organizations, and countless others throughout the City, should be recognized for their remarkable leadership and dedication to the health and wellbeing of our residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and thanks the many faith-based organizations across the City-synagogues, churches and mosques-- for their activism and service to the public throughout the pandemic in providing the citizens of Philadelphia with food, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
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