Luncheon supports Philadelphia Arms in Ellendale

Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware convened March 6 at Signatures at Bayside, near Selbyville, hosted by Philadelphia Arms Townhomes Inc. In attendance were 165 supporters.

After welcoming remarks, Cheryl Mitchell, Lunch With a Purpose director, brought guests up to date on results from prior luncheons. She then introduced the speaker, Dr. Leah Brown, assistant chief of staff from Philadelphia Arms Townhomes, located in Ellendale.

Brown shed light on the origins of the group’s name by explaining that Philadelphia, translated from Greek, means brotherly love. People seeking help with poverty, homelessness and mental health issues are welcomed with open arms. The nonprofit’s mission is to help people with emergency, transitional or temporary housing needs at its facility, eventually finding them long-term or permanent low-cost housing. The group serves Kent and Sussex counties by providing resources and assistance to stem the tide of poverty, and promote healthy living and mental health.

The group’s latest challenge is restoring the bus stop that was previously located across the street from its Ellendale facility. Brown said the bus stop was closed with one day’s notice. This now means that about 20 of the residents have to walk two miles to reach the nearest bus stop so they can commute to their jobs. Philadelphia Arms is now actively petitioning authorities to have the bus stop restored.

The lunch raised $5,609 along with in-kind donations of $3,800, for a total of $9,409, plus 577 pounds of nonperishables for the Food Bank of Delaware.

For more information on Philadelphia Arms Townhomes, go to philadelphiaarms.org.

The next gathering will be held Wednesday, April 3, at Baywood Greens Clubhouse, in support of Champions for Children’s Mental Health.

For more information, find Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware on Facebook.