Citizens Bank Park drive-thru food site closed on Friday

Lines of cars wait for food prior to the 9 a.m. start of distribution at Philabundance’s Citizens Bank Park location.

The drive-thru emergency food distribution center at Citizens Bank Park will be closed on Friday due to the demonstrations and protests in Philadelphia.

The site, which was opened by Philabundance last week in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball stadium, is hoping to resume weekly operations next week on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive is scheduled to continue every Friday through June 26.

When it resumes, the site will offer one food share (35 lbs. of perishable food) to each vehicle that arrives at the site, located in Parking Lot N at 7th Street and Pattison Avenue.

The food that was scheduled to be distributed this week will be dispersed across Philabundance’s nine-county service area. Officials said areas that were greatly impacted by grocery store closures will receive the highest priority.

“Philabundance is committed to adapting its work to ensure individuals and families have  access to quality food during these turbulent times,” explained Philabundance Chief Development Officer Sara Hertz. “These untimely grocery store closures may cause an increase in food deserts and food insecurity across the region and we want to do all we can to support our clients and food partners.”

Philadelphia residents can call 311 or visit phila.gov/food/ to be connected with local resources. For a comprehensive list of food resources near you, please visit whyhunger.org or auntbertha.com.

For more information on this emergency food distribution and ways to fight hunger across the Delaware Valley, visit philabundance.org/covid19/.