THE MATHEMATICS, CIVICS and SCIENCES
CHARTER SCHOOL OF PHILADELPHIA INC.

The Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia, Inc. (MCSCS) has made a commitment to feed and clothe over 500 homeless citizens in the city of Philadelphia every week. The school project started in September 2005 and is a part of our Civics curriculum.
The students from 1st to 12th grade raise $800 - $1,000 a week in order to help fund the homeless project. MCSCS students donate money, pants, shirts, sneakers, and boots. Jackets, coats, hats, gloves and blankets are collected in the winter. A team of students make over 500 sandwiches and snacks. Another team of students make over 100 toiletry bags filled with soap, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant. The students also fill 100 bags with new socks, underwear and undershirts.

Students meet every Thursday evening to sort clothing items to be distributed. They also plan and take inventory for the following week. Another team of students from 2nd to 12th grade is responsible for distributing all items every Thursday evening. The food and clothing are distributed to the men’s shelter at Broad and Ridge and Love Park at 15th & JFK each week.

MCSCS students’ comments taken from an article in The Philadelphia Tribune, March 27, 2007

In the beginning, eighth grader, Ervin Hall said he thought the project was just going to be charity, but after he saw a former MCSCS student receiving items at one of the stops he stated, “I was shocked to the point where I couldn’t even speak.” Sixth grader Elias Woodard, said “I couldn’t stop smiling my first night out because I knew that I truly did something to help somebody.” Eighth grader, Karima Mims-Dewitt was involved with the project before and after she became a MCSCS student. She said it showed her “not to behave like the spoiled brat she used to be.” Former MCSCS student, Sharif Jones, explained that as a future criminal justice major, he became involved to work with different types of people and be exposed to different surroundings. He also wanted to give back. “When you’re out there every week and you see different people’s situations, it exposes you to a lot. It makes you realize that sometimes you think you have problems, but your problems aren’t anything compared to others. So, you want to give back and help them out with basic necessities.” During one trip, the students were distributing coats and ran out. One man approached and said he had been out there every week trying to get a coat, so Jones literally gave him the coat off his back.

Articles written on the MCSCS Homeless Project can be found in The Philadelphia Inquirer dated July 6, 2007; The CLOG News, dated July 6, 2007 and Philadelphia Sunday Sun dated August 26, 2007. The MCSCS Homeless Project was also featured 3 times on the Fox 29 10:00 News and 3 times on Channel 3 news program. You may also obtain copies of these articles at the school. Just request a homeless project packet.

Please help us help others! Please donate money, blankets, sneakers, boots, jeans, pants, and shirts in all sizes. Please also volunteer to help distribute these items every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Meet us in the school lobby, if you are interested in going out. It takes one hour to distribute food and clothing at the men’s shelter at Broad and Ridge and Love Park at 15th & JFK.

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