Northwest Philly realtors pledge $30K, volunteer hours for Germantown nonprofit

A pair of Philadelphia real-estate companies is extending a helping hand to a nonprofit serving Germantown’s homeless and poverty-stricken residents.

Elfant Wissahickon Realty, Martin Elfant Inc. and company partners have teamed up to raise $30,000 for Face to Face Germantown, a beloved organization which serves hot meals, provides health counseling and runs summer programs for kids, among other things.

Over the next year, a portion of each sale, rental, title-insurance policy and mortgage will go to Face to Face.

Buyers will also be encouraged to make a donation during settlement.

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New mission

It’s all part of Elfant Wissahickon’s first-ever anti-poverty initiative.

“We’ve had a very successful year this year, and we wanted to give back more than we usually do,” said Bob Elfant, co-founder of Elfant Wissahickon.

The $30,000 will be handed out evenly over three years.

Elfant Wissahickon and Martin Elfant have also pledged volunteer hours.

Employees will help spruce up Face to Face’s aging Price Street facility, cook food, help with landlord/tenant issues and pitch in wherever else they are needed.

It’s much appreciated

“We are absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed,” said Mary Kay Meeks-Hank, executive director of Face to Face, which has a $750,000 annual operating budget.

Meeks-Hank said the additional funds will, for example, give the organization the ability to extend its legal and social services to the parents of students enrolled in the organization’s afterschool and summer programs.

It’s a goal Face to Face has always strived to achieve, but for which funding hasn’t always been available.

“It gives a little leeway to be a little more creative,” said Meeks-Hank.

A good run

Face to Face has been a popular partner organization as of late.

The nonprofit recently partnered with The Endeleo Project, a New-Jersey-based organization that has, until now, worked to improve educational opportunities in Africa and South America.

Endelo aims to raise between $15,000 and $20,000 this year to support Face to Face’s educational programs for children.

Meeks-Hank isn’t complaining about all of the attention.

“The more people who are aware of us, the better. The more people who engage with us, the better,” she said. “The more we can get the word out about not only our services, but the people we serve, the more these issues will be addressed on a broader platform.”

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