Spreading Cheer and Combating Homelessness with a Holiday Pop-Up at The Porch

The Porch at 30th Street Station is about to get a lot more festive thanks to a new "Spread Holiday Cheer" campaign, a collaboration with Project HOME and Schmear It. For three weeks in December, from the 4th through the 22nd, UCD is hosting a special, holiday pop-up in the center of The Porch at 30th Street. The pop-up will enliven UCD's flagship public space while contributing to the fight against homelessness in Philadelphia.

From noon to six on weekdays, Project HOME will run a holiday shop selling items made by Project HOME residents. The HOME shop - featuring homemade candles, homemade soaps, and holiday cards with artwork created by Project HOME residents - is a social enterprise where the residents earn income from the sale of their unique items. These small businesses are designed to employ residents in a supportive, skill-building environment, and each purchase from the HOME Made gift line helps to provide income and engagement for a resident on their path to wholeness and recovery. 'Spread Holiday Cheer' builds on an ongoing partnership between UCD and Project HOME, who collaborate when homeless outreach is required within the district.

In the mornings, Schmear It will offer bagels, coffee, and custom spreads from 7 - 10 am on weekday mornings. They will also offer a special Sister Mary Cranberry schmear, named in honor of Project HOME's co-founder and creator of the Sinfully Delicious Cranberry Sauce, Sister Mary Scullion.

All proceeds from Project HOME's sales and 5% of Schmear It's profits will support Project HOME's mission of empowering adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Come on out and help us kick off the holiday season, plus enjoy daily lunch trucks!