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.
End