Good Citizens: Meet Rev. Jeremy Montgomery of Philly House

Originally called Sunday Breakfast Association, Philly House is a living legacy of John Wanamaker. From its inception more than 145 years ago in 1878, the nonprofit has offered compassion-based programs and services for the homeless, hungry and hurting in Philadelphia.

Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, MBA/MA, president and CEO, spoke to Access Network about their mission and programs.

“Today, we are Philly’s largest homeless shelter and only daily provider of food in the city,” Montgomery said.

“We served 107,000 meals last year and we sheltered over one-third of the homeless men in the city.”

Philly House has 150 beds available each night.

He explained that they see themselves as part of the overall homeless system in the city. He compared what they do to the hospital ER, providing triage in an emergency and connecting those in need to longer-term solutions.

Besides offering food and shelter, Philly House also connects their guests to essential services like stable housing, mental and behavioral health, physical health and substance abuse treatment.

Through partnerships, the nonprofit also gives their guests access to legal services, job placements and arts and music.

He added that their Christian faith is the foundation of everything they do at Philly House, and they also offer spiritual care.

Montgomery explained that most of their guests are the working poor, trying to keep their chin up and maintain their dignity.

“This is an expensive city, and they don’t want to sleep on the streets,” he said.

When talking about the need in Philadelphia for food and housing assistance. Montgomery said that the need is always great, but that though Philly is the poorest big city in the country, it has an amazing system of resources to help the unhoused and homeless.

He added that the number of unhoused in Philadelphia is smaller than other large cities like Los Angeles

There are, however, two demographic groups where the need for help appears to be growing.

• Those over the age of 60 who are just shy of qualifying for senior citizen benefits
• Youth 18 to 24 who don’t have employment stability. Many are working towards their GED or are struggling through college.
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How can the community get involved?

Rev. Montgomery said that they are always appreciative of volunteers and monetary donations. The nonprofit does not rely on government funding.

“We are the only dining room open 365 days a year, so we always need volunteers. It is just as simple as delivering a tray to our guests, so they don’t have to stand in line.”

Montgomery explained that they try to make the environment at Philly House as close to home as possible for their guests and will try to make holidays special. He said Thanksgiving dinner is their Super Bowl.

For more information about how to get involved with Philly House, click here.