La Famiglia dei Fratelli, an Italian-American fraternal organization, last week continued its longtime volunteer commitment to Caring for Friends, 12271 Townsend Road.
La Famiglia members visited Caring for Friends on Feb. 15, filling, sealing and labeling aluminum pans with family meals consisting of chicken strips, roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts and a green sauce.
A group of Archbishop Ryan students also showed up to help out, as Caring for Friends cook Austin McSorley oversaw the operation.
Vince Schiavone, CEO of Caring for Friends, was happy to see the adult and youth volunteers, adding that his agency can always use the help, along with monetary donations.
Schiavone said Caring for Friends had a successful 2022, providing about 3.5 million meals, helping some 300,000 people and working with 500 partners. On Thanksgiving, Caring for Friends provided about 75,000 turkey dinners.
La Famiglia, founded in 2001, has been a loyal supporter of Caring for Friends. Tony Coco, president of the organization, outlined some of its other good deeds, made possible by an annual comedy night fundraiser.
La Famiglia provides meals for the Gift of Life House, a temporary home for transplant patients and their families at 4th and Callowhill streets; makes donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, the FOP Survivors Fund and food kitchens; honors a 15th Police District officer; delivers sandwiches to the Veterans Multi-Service Center; creates Thanksgiving food baskets; and distributes scholarships for Italian language studies and to the children and grandchildren of members. ••
