Civic Leaders From Around The Region Give A Helping Hand To The Homeless
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Today leaders from across the region are reaching out to the homeless in observance of Oscar Romero Day of Commitment.
Oscar Romero was the Archbishop of El Salvador who spoke out for the rights of the poor during a period of oppression in his country.
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput says the Romero Day of Commitment is a special time to observe those practices.
"We have to serve the poor, and we have to love the poor. But you don't do that unless you meet the poor, otherwise it's just theory," said Archbishop Charles Chaput.
Mayor Michael Nutter also participated in the Day of Commitment by serving food to the homeless.
"We have a responsibility and an obligation to those folks and there's really no way in the world that as good Philadelphians we should have anyone going to bed hungry at night," said Mayor Nutter.
The civic leaders in attendance say the day helps address issues of hunger and homelessness in anticipation of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia this September.