Help Fernando Melo Keep His Family in South Philly

You might have met Fernando Melo during the long hours he puts in at the People's Kitchen in Italian Market. You could have tasted his food at Kung Fu Necktie. Maybe you know him as the beaming face manning the grill at Reinhard Street Community Farm's outdoor events, or the generous guy who ladles out his signature soups to the whole neighborhood with mutual aid groups in Mifflin Square Park or in Bartram's Garden on Indigenous People's Day . Because feeding people is important to him. It's one of the things he's great at.

Melo is a family man; your children might go to school with one of his three children. Or maybe you've seen him handing out hand warmers to the ladies selling tamales on South Philly's street corners. Because caring for people comes naturally to him. That's another thing he's great at.

Unfortunately, Melo's landlord says he needs to find a new place to live. He and his family would love to stay in the neighborhood, but moving is still expensive and cash is always tight. If you could help them stay in South Philly, you would be helping yourself, your neighbors, me, and a thousand people you've never met. Because that's how much of a difference he makes.

Fernando Melo is a man-about-town, a father, a neighbor, and a friend. We need this guy around, and I don't want him to have to worry about where his children are gonna sleep. Please donate whatever you can spare to help him cover moving expenses and a deposit on a new place to call home.