Renaming and designating the building located on the property of the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center, commonly referred to as the Dorothy Emanuel Playground Building, located at 8501 Pickering Avenue, as the "Marlene Trice Neighborhood Center" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Marlene Trice is a lifelong community servant whose unwavering commitment to helping others has positively impacted the lives of thousands of residents throughout Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Trice is the founder of the Kitchen of Love Distribution Center, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity and providing critical support to families, seniors, and individuals in need; and

WHEREAS, Through the Kitchen of Love Distribution Center, Mrs. Trice provides free nutritious groceries, including fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples, to more than 500 Philadelphia residents each month, ensuring that vulnerable members of the community have access to essential nourishment; and

WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Mrs. Trice has devoted her time, energy, and resources to serving others, including grocery shopping for elderly residents, transporting neighbors to medical appointments, organizing community events, and providing assistance to families facing hardship; and

WHEREAS, Under her leadership, the Kitchen of Love has grown into a trusted community institution, distributing food weekly, providing monthly food boxes to seniors, and expanding services to meet the growing needs of Philadelphia residents; and

WHEREAS, During the holiday season, Mrs. Trice and the Kitchen of Love organize efforts to provide hot meals, Thanksgiving turkeys, and Christmas gifts to families in need, ensuring that hundreds of residents experience the warmth and dignity of the holidays; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Trice annually organizes a community Thanksgiving Dinner at Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center, bringing together residents from across Philadelphia and South Jersey to share a homemade meal and celebrate fellowship and community; and

WHEREAS, Her decades of service have earned her recognition from numerous community leaders and organizations; and

WHEREAS, As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mrs. Trice has exemplified the values of compassion, service, and leadership that strengthen communities and inspire future generations; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes and honors Marlene Trice's extraordinary contributions by permanently designating the playground building at Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center in her name, ensuring that her legacy of service, compassion, and community uplift remains an enduring inspiration for future generations; now, therefore,

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The building located on the property of the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center, commonly referred to as the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center Playground Building, situated at 8501 Pickering Avenue in the City of Philadelphia, shall hereafter be known and designated as the "Marlene Trice Neighborhood Center.”

SECTION 2. The appropriate City departments and agencies are authorized and directed to take all necessary actions to effectuate the renaming and designation authorized by this Ordinance, including the installation of appropriate signage.

SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.

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