[VT – Philadelphia, January 16, 2026] ChineseinUS (CUS) a centralized free food distribution at the Huada Senior Center in Northeast Philadelphia. The initiative was carried out as part of the City of Philadelphia’s One Philly SNAP Support Plan, primarily serving low-income families, many of whom are low-income seniors, and benefiting nearly 200 households, approximately 500 residents. The distribution aimed to ease the food access pressures faced by low-income families amid the lapse in federal SNAP benefits by providing healthy, high-quality, and culturally appropriate food.
Following the City’s launch of the One Philly SNAP Support Plan and allocation of emergency funds to address the SNAP disruption, ChineseinUS mobilized local community resources, implementing standardized procedures for food procurement, packaging, registration, and distribution to ensure that assistance reached those most in need.
After news of the event circulated, leaders from multiple Chinese community organizations responded enthusiastically and voluntarily came to assist with the distribution. They emphasized that, at a time when SNAP benefits were disrupted and as the Lunar New Year—the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese community—approached, providing free food to low-income families carried special significance. They also highlighted that the food provided was highly aligned with the dietary preferences of the local Chinese community in Northeast Philadelphia, with many staple items reflecting distinct Southern Chinese regional cuisine, a level of cultural consideration rarely seen in previous efforts.
On the day of the event, ChineseinUS coordinated site operations, while volunteers assisted with transporting, packaging, and registering recipients. To better accommodate seniors and residents with limited mobility, organizers arranged for participants to register indoors before proceeding outside in groups of 20 to receive food, reducing outdoor wait times while maintaining efficiency and safety.
The distributed food included shrimp, eggs, seasonal produce, and regionally specific staple items, fully reflecting the program’s principle of “cultural appropriateness,” while also meeting nutritional needs and local community preferences.
Previously, the Parker Administration announced the launch of the One Philly SNAP Support Plan as a comprehensive intergovernmental and public-private response to the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefit disruptions, prioritizing support for affected low-income families and vulnerable residents.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) oversees the food assistance component of the plan, partnering with community organizations to support the procurement and distribution of healthy, high-quality, and culturally appropriate free food.
Residents who received food expressed their appreciation, stating: “At this critical moment, we are grateful for the City’s support. These are everyday essentials, and we thank ChineseinUS and the volunteers for helping us feel cared for even in cold weather.”
Yuebing Hong, founder of ChineseinUS, noted that the Parker Administration responded swiftly with the One Philly SNAP Support Plan. The organization participated in PDPH briefings and Q&A sessions at the program’s outset, found the guidance highly valuable, and actively applied to participate in the program and implement community-based food distributions. Since launching the effort, the program has received strong participation and support from community groups, organizations, and volunteers. ChineseinUS affirmed its commitment to continuing to serve low-income families within the framework of the One Philly SNAP Support Plan by expanding culturally appropriate food distribution and community support initiatives.
