Businesses reminded of Friday’s exemption request deadline
NEWTOWN » State Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, urged local business owners wishing to remain open during the COVID-19 emergency that they must apply for an exemption by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3.
“With the deadline looming, businesses which believe they qualify for an exemption from the governor’s order should apply as soon as possible,” noted Killion, chairman of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. “Pennsylvania needs businesses that support life-sustaining industries and operations to remain open. However, they must obtain the required exemption.”
The Department of Community and Economic Development received almost
30,000 requests for exemptions by late Sunday afternoon, according to media reports.
The Wolf administration yesterday issued a detailed FAQ sheet regarding lifesustaining businesses and the exemption request process. The administration also updated its list of life-sustaining businesses consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Advisory Version 1.1 of March 23.
The FAQ sheet, updated list of lifesustaining businesses and cybersecurity advisory are available on the state website, dced.pa.gov. The easiest way to apply for an exemption is via the state’s online portal, expressforms.pa.gov/apps/pa/DCED/Waiver-process-keeping-physicallocations-open.
“I urge businesses to closely review the FAQ sheet issued yesterday,” said Killion. “Business owners and managers who think they may qualify should apply for an exemption without delay.
“Pennsylvanians need to know state government will do all in its power to protect them and ease the economic hardships created by the COVID-19 crisis.”
Upper Darby keeps running through health crisis
Upper Darby Township has been able to take steps to keep the government running during the coronavirus crisis. Mayor Barbarann Keffer and council President Laura Wentz share the goal of providing a sense of normalcy and stability for residents during the recent public health crisis. Township council’s March meeting was initially postponed but within a week, the administration and council were able to work together to hold virtual meetings on March
25 and April 1.
“We don’t know how long that this will last and it is important that council and the administration continue conducting regular business to serve the public. Upper Darby Township is the sixth largest municipality in Pennsylvania and we cannot afford to let this crisis stop us from providing critical services and operating to the best of our ability,” said Keffer.
At the virtual meeting on March 25, council voted to extend the 2 percent discount period on municipal taxes to April
30.
Township buildings remain closed to the public and staff are working on reduced or staggered schedules. All time-sensitive operations continue including trash, recycling, and public safety. Residents can visit
www.upperdarby.org/online to see a full list of online services that are now available. These services have never been available online before and also represent a significant advance for the township and its residents in terms of both, everyday operations and emergency preparedness.
Residents can view future virtual meetings online at www.youtube.com/upperdarbytwp. Public comment will be accepted at comments@upperdarby.org or
484- 393-5861. Residents who are unable to view online can listen by phone by calling
646-749-3122 and using access code 660650-701. Access to this phone line will not be available until 7 p.m.
Wakefern Food Corp. announces major hiring initiative
Wakefern Food Corp. and its cooperative members have kicked off a major hiring push to fill a variety of positions at both retail stores and warehouses to help service the dramatic increase in demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Store associates across the cooperative’s five retail banners – ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Dearborn
Market and Gourmet Garage – are working around the clock during this challenging time to provide essential services to communities across the Mid-Atlantic. The supermarkets – along with the warehouses that supply them – are seeking to fill hundreds of positions to ensure communities have access to fresh foods and necessities.
“We recognize the pivotal role our supermarkets are playing by providing the essentials people need to take care of themselves and their families. For nearly
75 years, Wakefern has never wavered from our commitment to serve the neighborhoods where our stores operate, and we’re looking for motivated team members who share those same values,” said Joe Colalillo, Wakefern’s chairman and CEO.
Workers hired will also benefit from a temporary $2 per hour wage premium that went into effect on Sunday, March
22. New associates may also benefit from enhanced sick leave and attendance policies designed to assist with financial and health concerns.
Wakefern and its cooperative members are looking for prospective associates who demonstrate a true commitment to customer service and teamwork.
Individuals interested in joining the team are encouraged to visit: For local ShopRite stores, visit the ShopRite Career Center at https://shop.shoprite.com/careers?_ ga=2.252116618.229631487.1584792304599907832.1558443114
For local Price Rite Marketplace, visit the Price Rite Marketplace Career Center at https://cta.cadienttalent.com/index. jsp?APPLICATIONNAME=WakefernFood CorporationPriceRiteNonReqExt&locale =en_US
For employment applications at Fresh Grocer, visit The Fresh Grocer Career Center at https://cta.cadienttalent.com/ index.jsp locale=en_US&APPLICATIO NNAME=FreshGrocerNonReqExt&_
ga=2.64516527.1277853087.1585100532525857515.1580142498/.
St. John’s Hospice seeks additional help from community
St. John’s Hospice, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is seeking community support to help provide expanded services and critical support to men experiencing homelessness who are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
St. John’s, part of the Housing and Homeless Services Division of Catholic Social Services, provides crucial, lifesustaining services with dignity, respect and compassion to homeless men in Philadelphia. This initiative seeks to help St. John’s meet increased operating costs as the number of individuals turning to St. John’s for support and assistance rises.
St. John’s’s daily lunch service has increased from serving approximately
220 individuals per day to 320. In addition, St. John’s’s dinner service, which takes place three nights a week, has also seen a substantial increase from
30 individuals per night to nearly 80 individuals in need of food. Wednesday, March 25th marked St. John’s’s biggest increase with nearly 123 individuals in need turning to St. John’s for dinner.
Those interested in supporting St. John’s can make a one-time gift or recurring financial contribution through a dedicated link by visiting http://saintjohnshospice.org/donate-3/. Checks can also be mailed directly to St. John’s at P.O. Box 781048, Philadelphia, PA 191781048. St. John’s Development Council and Friends of St. John’s Hospice have pledged to match the first $15,000 raised.
For more information on this initiative, contact Marty Farrell, director of development and community relations, at 610-609-6634.
For over 55 years, St. John’s has provided provide crucial, life-sustaining services with dignity, respect and compassion to men experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. Each weekday, St. John’s provides more than 300 hot meals to its residential and day services guests, as well as case management, onsite nursing, daily showers, and a mail room for over 900 men. Each year, it provides residential services for over 250 men transitioning from homelessness to independent living in the community. To learn more about Saint John’s Hospice, visit http://saintjohnshospice.org.