Margaux Murphy

M urphy’s path to founder of the Sunday Love Project began during the holidays in 2014 when she was to volunteer at a church one morning and overslept. Rather than chalk it up as a missed volunteer opportunity, Murphy went to a nearby Boston Market, purchased a dozen meals and fed the homeless in her neighborhood. What began as a kind gesture became a profound calling as Murphy quickly realized how impactful a warm meal could be.

Soon thereafter, Murphy founded the Sunday Love Project as a way to break bread with those struggling to make their way back into society as contributing members. Today, The Sunday Love Project serves over 2,000 meals to the homeless weekly and, in August 2022, celebrated the grand opening of Greater Goods - a grocery store located in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood offering free groceries to those who otherwise may go hungry.

“This honor has truly blown me away,” said Murphy.” “I have never done this for recognition, but rather because I feel it’s the right thing to do. I never knew I could be this poor and this rich at the same time. This is a tremendous honor and I hope it helps others see this work as we do which is serving as a liaison between a hungry, struggling mind and a focused, nourished soul.”

A Port Richmond resident, Murphy was born in Philadelphia and raised in Camden county, NJ where she graduated from Eastern Regional High School before attending Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado to study writing and literature. Through a variety of roles, her career has always been in service to others, whether serving as a teacher’s assistant at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, waiting tables at some of Philadelphia’s most eclectic bar/restaurants, working as a personal trainer or cleaning homes and offices as founder/owner of Green Team Cleaning.

“Margaux’s passion for helping others is immediately evident,” stated Pedro A. Ramos, chair of the Philadelphia Award Board of Trustees. “Through her work founding and leading the Sunday Love Project, Margaux is meeting people where they are, without judgement. She is inspiring and changing lives one meal, one person, one day at a time. We are thrilled to recognize Margaux with the 2021 Philadelphia Award and look forward to celebrating her and her impact later this fall.