Featured Community Partner: Philly Bridge & Jawn (PB&J)
As Philadelphia’s only nonprofit junk hauler, Good Haul prides itself on sustainability and community support. We believe that every piece of furniture and every usable item we collect should return to the community whenever possible. That’s why we were excited to support Philly Bridge & Jawn (PB&J)—an after-school cooking program that connects youth to caring adults, local opportunities, and essential resources while teaching life skills around food preparation, nutrition, self-care, and safety.
About Philly Bridge & Jawn (PB&J)
It’s tough being a teenager in modern society. It’s crushing being a teenager in Kensington- a community at the epicenter of the opioid and gun violence epidemics, seeped in intergenerational poverty, and in a system unprepared for complex challenges. Philly Bridge & Jawn, (PB&J) aims to address the unique challenges faced by young people ages 12 to 19 in our community, particularly those who have experienced trauma and disconnection.
PB&J's Cook, Eat, Connect, and Get Paid model combines contemporary, evidence-based educational and psychological techniques with the timeless wisdom about the peacemaking power of food. Through consistent engagement and a relationship-first approach, they aim to ensure that no young person falls through the cracks of our system.
Creating a Welcoming Space
Every meal at PB&J is about more than just food—it’s about community. The program’s communal meals bring teens together at the table, where friendships form and connections grow. When PB&J moved into its Kensington space, it needed chairs to make those shared meals possible. Good Haul provided the chairs that made it happen, as well as shelving and large tables to further support its cooking program. PB&J is expanding as demand grows, and Good Haul was able to help PB&J move into their space quicker than initially planned to ultimately support more teens.
More Than Just Cooking
While cooking is at the heart of PB&J, the program goes beyond the kitchen. Teens gain valuable life skills, from financial literacy to mental health strategies, while also being connected to additional youth opportunities in the community. And when it comes to favorite meals? Breakfast for dinner is always a hit, but alfredo chicken and tacos are also big winners. Sushi was also an unexpectedly popular dish!
How You Can Support Philly Bridge & Jawn
PB&J is rapidly expanding to meet the needs of teens in Kensington. To help make that growth possible, they’re looking for volunteers to support their Wednesday programming. Interested in getting involved? Attend their Open House on Thursday, March 13th, from 5 PM – 7 PM at 3415 Kensington Ave.
We’re grateful to PB&J for the work they do to empower and support young people—and we’re honored to have played a small part in helping them create a welcoming space.
Have junk that needs to be removed? Good Haul is here to help, and you can be assured your items will be redistributed or recycled instead of sent to the landfill.
