Cityteam Chester celebrates three decades of helping those in need

UPPER DARBY » About 50 people gathered recently at Drexelbrook Catering and Special Event Center to celebrate 30 years of selflessly serving those in need in the Chester and Philadelphia area, with compassion and dignity, and continuing to maintain the neverwavering desire to make a difference in the community. Cityteam Chester welcomed founding members, volunteers, community and business partners, board members and staff to celebrate the milestone occasion by sharing memories and stories and a vision for the future.

Cityteam is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit organization compassionately serving the poor, the homeless, and the lost in five locations: San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, and in Chester. At least 500,000 people are served nationwide each year.

Cityteam Chester, 634 Sproul St., has served those in desperate need throughout the Greater Delaware Valley for three decades. The non-profit is privately funded through corporate and individual donors, fundraisers, churches and foundations. Dedicated, caring staff and volunteers reach out to those who are in need of a hot meal, safe shelter, and decent clothing. Cityteam Chester also offers recovery programs for individuals seeking to transform their lives from the destruction of drugs and alcohol.

Located in the heart of Chester, Cityteam also connects with low-income families whom are in need of emergency food boxes to help stretch their income at the end of the month. Mothers with infants and young at-risk children, stop by every Wednesday afternoon to receive diapers, formula, and other baby items. Cityteam also offers the Hope Café, a dignified restaurant experience to people facing hunger, homelessness and poverty. On Saturday nights, Cityteam’s cafeteria is transformed into a café offering a variety of menu options and the highest level of service to guests. After dinner, the diners can enjoy community fellowship through live worship, Bible study and prayer.

Additionally, Cityteam distributes Thanksgiving dinners each November, toys and meals during the Christmas holiday season, backpacks and school supplies at the start of each school year, and offers a hand up through connections to community resources or various Cityteam programs 24/7.

Many of the individuals at the 30-year celebration took a turn at the microphone, sharing memo

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PEG DEGRASSA — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Among those at the Drexelbrook Events Center celebrating Cityteam’s 30th anniversary last week are Bob and Carolyn Turner, Dick and Betty Wilgus, Lois Swinson, Darla McCready, Jack Klotz, Rick Briggs, Richard Erickson, Lee Giles, Bill Heilig, Bill...

PEG DEGRASSA — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Cityteam Chester’s volunteers and longtime supporters, left to right, Lee Erickson Giles, Renee Erickson, Bill Moore, Rich Erickson, and Bill Strine shared stories and memories during the recent Cityteam Chester’s three decade anniversary celebration...