MLK Day(s) of Service

Sarah attended a Friends Central MLK Day Assembly where students assembled more than 500 bagged lunches and 200 toiletry bags. Sarah also received a $900 check that Friend’s Central raised on behalf of Bethesda.

Philly Barber School students cut hair at My Brother's House on MLK Day with Salvation of Sorrows, Inc.

Salvation of Sorrows, INC provided free haircuts at MBH & OBP, while North Broad hosted 20 volunteers from Upper Merion through the ongoing relationship with David Broida. This group provided the residents of North Broad brunch, literature on MLK, and a chance to sing hymns together.

The college program from St Norbert's College in Wisconsin were on site the entire week after MLK Day! The guests at OBP enjoyed the students tremendously. Every day they were here, the group had one hour of education on homelessness in Philadelphia and the role Bethesda Project plays to support and care for this community, including meeting with Father Domenic Rossi. The group also completed service work and deep cleaning of OBP along with spending quality time with OBP’s guests and residents. This volunteer group truly enriched the Bethesda Community.

St. Norbert College students gather for a photo after a week of volunteering at Our Brothers' Place!

Empty Bowls Event at Malvern Prep

Tina Pagotto, Bethesda Project CEO, shows off her bowls

On January 13th, Bethesda Project was honored to be the beneficiary of Malvern Prep's annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. In this its 9th year, Malvern Prep has generated over $80,000 in funding for Bethesda Project through this special event meant to connect each students' talents to service efforts. 

Attendees enjoyed a complimentary, hand thrown bowl, unlimited helpings of soup, and inspiring words from our speakers. Not only did Bethesda Project CEO Tina Pagotto deliver remarks on the importance of the students' involvement in this fundraiser, but guests enjoyed a few words of encouragement from Bethesda Project resident Philip, who called on the audience to get involved in their community because "life is about what you can give back."

Bethesda guest Philip speaks to the Empty Bowls attendees about the importance of volunteerism.

Not only did we leave with armfuls of beautiful bowls, but we left with a better understanding of what Empty Bowls means to the Bethesda Project family and the importance of service in our community.

Thank you to Malvern Prep for always believing in the Bethesda Project family and its mission!