Philadelphia Community Resource Guide

Food Access & Nutrition

  • City of Philadelphia Food Map: A real-time map to find free food distribution sites, student meal sites, and older adult meal programs.
  • Share Food Program: Individuals can use their interactive map to find community pantries and 24/7 community fridges. They also offer a Senior Food Box program for those 60+ who meet income requirements.
  • MANNA: Provides medically tailored meals delivered to the homes of individuals battling life-threatening illnesses.
  • Bebashi – Food First Pantry: Provides fresh produce, meat, and non-perishables through a client-choice model. (Note: May require a referral; contact them directly for details).
  • BenePhilly: One-on-one help for individuals to apply for SNAP (Food Stamps), LIHEAP, and other benefit programs.

Utility & Housing Assistance

  • LIHEAP & UESF: Emergency grants to pay heating bills or prevent utility shut-offs.
  • Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze: A program for low-income seniors (65+) that prevents property taxes from increasing even if assessments or tax rates go up.
  • UESF (Utility Emergency Services Fund): Provides financial assistance to individuals facing utility shut-offs.
  • SHARP (Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program): Free minor home repairs (locks, plumbing, electrical) for homeowners 60+.
  • Request Home Repairs | 215-765-9040
  • Adaptive Modification Program (AMP): Provides major modifications (like stairlifts or walk-in showers) to help seniors with disabilities stay in their homes.
  • Apply for Home Modifications
  • LIHEAP & UESF: Emergency grants to pay heating bills or prevent utility shut-offs.
  • Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) | 215-972-5170

Legal & Advocacy Services

  • SeniorLAW Center: Offers free legal advice, document preparation, and representation for Philadelphia residents aged 60+ on issues like housing, elder abuse, and grandparent rights.
  • Elder Justice Unit (DA’s Office): Dedicated to protecting seniors from financial exploitation and physical abuse.
  • CARIE (Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly): Helps seniors and their families navigate long-term care issues and transportation problems.

Health & Social Connection

  • Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Senior Centers: A network of 28 community centers providing free lunchtime meals, health screenings, and social activities for residents 60+.
  • Senior Recreation Programs
  • CARES (Community Aid Refurbished Equipment Store): Lends refurbished medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, canes) to residents in need.
  • Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC Cedar: A dedicated dental clinic for seniors offering low-cost, high-quality care, including cleanings, dentures, and emergency work.
  • Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry: Offers a sliding fee scale and specific clinics for seniors and those requiring sedation or complex restorative work.
  • Penn Medicine Senior HealthLink: Provides free preventive health assessments and home visits for individuals 55+ in the Philadelphia area.
  • PA MEDI (State Health Insurance Assistance): Free, unbiased insurance counseling for those eligible for Medicare.

Transportation & Mobility

  • SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card: Provides free travel at all times on all SEPTA buses, trolleys, subways, and Regional Rail (within PA).
  • SEPTA CCT Connect (Shared-Ride): Door-to-door transportation for residents 65+ to medical appointments and grocery stores.
  • CARES Medical Equipment Lending: Borrow refurbished wheelchairs, walkers, and canes for free or low cost.

Digital Access & Technology

  • DigitalEquityPHL: Helps seniors get free or low-cost laptops, tablets, and internet service.
  • JKPPA Tech for Seniors: Specialized 8-week workshops to help seniors navigate health portals, Social Security, and telehealth.

Philadelphia Libraries: Your Gateway to Growth & Connection

1. Professional & Business Services (The BRIC)

The Business, Resource, and Innovation Center (BRIC) at Parkway Central provides tools typically reserved for high-end co-working spaces, free of charge for those starting a new chapter.

  • Professional Headshots: The library frequently hosts free headshot sessions at the Parkway Central branch—perfect for seniors updating their LinkedIn, professional portfolios, or business websites.
  • The Workplace: Get one-on-one help with resume writing, cover letters, and navigating the digital job market as a “mature professional.”
  • Entrepreneurial Support: Access the Foundation Directory for nonprofit research and specialized databases for starting a small business or patenting an invention.
2. The Musical Instrument Lending Library

Did you know you can check out a guitar just like a book? The library’s Musical Instrument Collection (MIC) removes the financial barrier to learning music.

  • Available to Borrow: Acoustic and electric guitars, electric basses, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and even portable amplifiers.
  • The Kit: Instruments come with a “gig bag,” tuner, and strap. Electric instruments include the necessary cables.
  • Loan Period: You can borrow up to two instruments for three weeks.
3. The “Experience Pass”: Free Museum & Culture Access

Seniors on a fixed income should never be priced out of Philadelphia’s world-class culture.

  • How it Works: Use your library card to reserve an Experience Pass online. These digital passes provide free admission for you and often several guests to some of the city’s most famous sites.
  • Participating Locations:
    • The Academy of Natural Sciences (Drexel University)
    • Eastern State Penitentiary
    • Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
    • The Museum of the American Revolution
    • The Woodmere Art Museum
    • The Rosenbach
    • Reserve Your Experience Pass Here
4. Culinary Literacy & Life Skills

The Culinary Literacy Center (CLC) is a first-of-its-kind kitchen classroom that teaches health and math through the joy of cooking.

  • Senior-Focused Workshops: Classes like “Cooking with Confidence” and “Chow Down on Wellness” focus on heart-healthy, budget-friendly meals for managing chronic conditions.
  • Edible Alphabet: A unique program that combines English language learning with communal cooking and conversation—perfect for those who “just need someone to talk to.”
5. Digital & Tech Empowerment
  • Digital Navigators: Every neighborhood branch has a “Digital Navigator” who can help you sign up for free home internet, learn to use a tablet, or navigate the PA Treasury website for unclaimed funds. (You can also contact us at contact.gentlegratitude@gmail.com for assistance with unclaimed funds.)
  • Hotspot & Tablet Loans: Some branches allow you to check out mobile hotspots or tablets so you can have high-speed internet access in the comfort of your own hom