State Sen. Jimmy Dillon and state Rep. Martina White last week presented Caring for Friends CEO Vince Schiavone with a $916,037 Local Share Account grant. The presentation took place at the Caring for Friends warehouse at 12271 Townsend Road.
LSA funding comes from proceeds from horse racing and casino gambling.
Schiavone said Caring for Friends will use the money to buy eight trucks and vans to replace its aging, costly-to-maintain fleet.
There will be two 16-foot refrigerated box trucks, two 26-foot refrigerated box trucks and four transit vans, providing transportation for food distribution to those in need across the Philadelphia region.
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, a longtime supporter and volunteer with Caring for Friends, also attended the presentation.
The mission at Caring for Friends is to provide food and companionship to senior citizens, children and families. The agency was founded in 1974 by Rita Ungaro-Schiavone, the current CEO’s mother, and was known for many years as Aid for Friends.
Caring for Friends consists of some 10,000 volunteers and works with about 200 food pantries. ••
