United States
20+ years of experience developing and pitching compelling content.
Specializing in nonprofit, food, and parenting.
Owner, Achieving Good Communications.
Co-owner of 2StreetSammies food cart.
Human and dog mom.
Web Writing & Blog Posts
Aspen Grove School's thoughtful, engaging, and effective approach to childhood learning
A food recipient provides insight into what Caring for Friends really provides.
Since 1856, the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur has educated, empowered, and inspired young women for a lifetime of compassionate leadership and service. Delaware County's only Catholic, independent, all-girls' academy, Notre Dame is devoted to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of young women.
How did you get started as a journalist? I took a journalism class in high school, wrote for my high school paper, and then became the editor. During college I interned at FOX News Radio network, and got to do interviews and write stories -- it was a really hands-on experience.
Blog post introducing a video I helped produce on BDT's impact during COVID-19
You're hungry. And you have a family. You have enough food for dinner tonight and tomorrow but you're waiting for your paycheck Friday to ensure you'll have money for food for the weekend. You're fairly confident it will work out (you do this budget dance every month) but you "take lunch" every other Friday at a Philabundance Fresh for All free food distribution...
As PR professionals, we all know the importance of building meaningful relationships with members of the media - reporters, producers, assignment editors, etc. But how does that happen, and where do you start? In this new section of the PPRA blog, PPRA members will share insight, tips and tricks, and fun facts learned from members of the media through informal interviews.
Philabundance client story
Bylines
It doesn't needs to be spelled out - again - that moms are losing their s%I&t thanks to two years of a pandemic with no end in sight, confusing rules surrounding quarantine and mask mandates, and an inordinate amount of time in the house with their kids ...
Many adults volunteer to give back to their community, support a cause they care about and help those in need. The Mayo Clinic cites volunteering as a way to improve physical and mental health.
Stef is a freelance writer, nonprofit communications professional and sometimes publicist of her husband's food cart, 2streetsammies. She lives in Philadelphia with her toddler, Zoey, her husband, Nate, and their four-legged child, Tucker.
Crisis Communications
Crisis communication on the devastating murder of George Floyd
Philabundance is shutting down for three days, after it learned two staffers at the surplus food agency had contact with people who may have been exposed to coronavirus.
WASHINGTON -- At this time of year, John Sprinkle and his wife would normally be planning their summer vacation. Not now. Sprinkle, a furloughed federal employee, is about to miss his second paycheck since the partial government shutdown began just before Christmas.
The Brooklyn Public Library pulled a book off the shelves after it was deemed racially offensive. "Tintin au Congo," written and illustrated 79 years ago by Belgian writer and illustrator Georges (Herge) Remi, got the boot after patrons complained that the book depicted Africans as monkeys.
LJ's annual graphic novel and manga preview, our special investigation into the trends and current state of the format, we asked publishers what trends and concepts they're seeing in the genre. The findings? The industry is expanding in new and exciting ways, from beloved webcomics finally being featured in print, to changes in ebook sales and new influences from other forms of media.
Interviews
Bo Zhao, 41, of Center City, gave birth to her first daughter, Milu, in June 2018. During her maternity leave from an e-commerce company, Zhao and around two-dozen other moms eager for community started meeting at the Nesting House, a now-shuttered spot in South Philadelphia.
Stef Arck-Baynes has many titles: Mom; writer for Philadelphia Family Magazine; Managing Director of Communications & Corporate Relations at Caring For Friends; and co-owner of 2 Street Sammies food cart! Her Story is hosted by Kathy Romano and airs Sunday mornings on 95.7 BEN-FM.
Anyone who has ever applied for federal or state benefits programs knows that it can try one's patience. Experience with government websites can make you dizzy and interacting with overworked staff in government bureaucracies can leave you in despair.
Philadelphia's largest hunger relief organization, Philabundance is providing sustenance to more members of our community than ever. Find out how you can help the people in your area. I find that the subject of gratitude is often reserved for stories that are being published in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
"This domino effect is nothing like we've seen before," said Stefanie Arck-Baynes, communications director at Philabundance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the way we work. In addition to the millions who lost their jobs entirely, droves of Americans left their shared workspaces in March, or headed to their essential jobs with a pared-down staff and a lot of questions.
12-1-19 From Philabundance, Communications Director Stefanie Arck-Baynes and Board Member John Holloway - 610 ESPN
©2016 PhillyCAM - Philadelphia Community Access Media
Quoted in a Now This video about Philabundance's innovative work
Marilyn's guest is Stefanie Arck-Baynes, Sr. Manager Communication and PR for Philabundance with details on the many ways you can help fight hunger in our area this holiday season...including Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger, 6 ABC Food Drive, Acme, Septa and Boy Scouts food drives and more.
PR Secured
The secret to helping older Philadelphians is older Philadelphians, according to SOWN in Manayunk.
Formerly known as the Norris Square Community Alliance, the group will experiment with tools like guaranteed income to lift families out of poverty.
Measures for Justice staff member Precious Freeman on Talk of Alabama morning show about the debut of the documentary series, Let's Be Clear
Gabi Conecker, MPH is President & Co-Founder Decoding Developmental Epilepsies (formerly known as Wishes for Elliott) and home of International SCN8A Allianc
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and people around the country are spending the day giving back. In our area, students at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy attended school on their day off to put others first! Over 350 students will participate in activities like sorting clothes for Cradles to Crayons, stuffing backpacks for people facing homelessness and more.
This week on FYI Philly, we've got so many festive things to do in and around Philadelphia. Plus, some amazing light shows and spots for last-minute shopping.
Jan Carabeo reports.
PHILADELPHIA -- Sophie's Kitchen is a South Philadelphia Cambodian restaurant with incredible story of survival It was just about this time last year that Sophia Neth, owner of Sophie's Kitchen on Washington Avenue, was in the hospital fighting for her life. She, her husband and two of their four sons had all tested positive for COVID-19.
Unable to work because she has lupus and arthritis, Robin Gentry suffered silently in South Philadelphia, living on a Social Security disability check that never seemed to stretch 31 days. Gentry, 59, is separated and lives with two of her five adult children.
Mia Costonis and Meena Padhye run their own business called Sonas to America. They sell scarves, masks, and wraps in the U.S. made by women in Sonas, Cambodia. NBC10's Stephanía Jiménez has their awesome story.
"Good Morning America" sponsor PNC Bank helped surprised Charles Reyes and the organization he volunteers for with a $20,000 donation.
Till then, she had done everything right: waited until she was married to have her son, Robert; attended trade school and community college; worked a solid job as a surgical tech. But a childhood of abuse, of her now-dead mother's multiple men touching her, of frequent moves in and out of rundown apartments, caused Dobbs' brain to crack apart, she said.
Hugo Campos was a toddler when he and his parents fled the civil war in El Salvador and moved to California. A year later, his parents separated and Campos' mom, not knowing a word of English, struggled to make ends meet.
Sabino Fuentes-Sanchez hid $25,000 all around his house because he didn't trust banks. Lasonia Christon receives her Wal-Mart salary on a pre-paid debit card. Kim James was homeless for most of the past decade in part because she had no place to save money.
Press Releases, Statements, Reports, Collateral
September 15, 2023 (Philadelphia, PA) - Forty-year-old nonprofit Norris Square Community Alliance announced today that it is relaunching as Xiente with a bold new multi-pronged approach to poverty alleviation. Its new strategy will include developing holistic, proactive, personalized economic mobility plans for two generations of families.
Transformations: Adapting to Meet the Need
Philadelphia, July 15, 2020 - Benefits Data Trust (BDT) is pleased to announce the hiring of Leona Thomas as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). BDT is a national nonprofit organization that connects people to public benefits that can help pay for food, housing, healthcare, and other critical needs.
Developed and organized content, project managed this 23-page document
Philabundance Reveals Bold, New Initiative to End Hunger for Good Recognizing That Hunger Rarely Occurs in a Vacuum, Philabundance Launches Collaborative Pilot Program to Pair Critical Services and Food to Promote Self-Sufficiency Philadelphia, PA, March 11, 2019-Philabundance today announced a bold new initiative, Ending Hunger.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) CEO and President Mark Pinsky today announced a $1 billion CDFI industry pledge in support of President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper." OFN is a national network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) investing in opportunities that benefit low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged communities across America.
CDFI Practices in Jobs Data Collection and Tracking: Lessons Learned from Create Jobs for USA
Letter to the Editor promoting the library's services
Brooklyn Reads to Babies - Brooklyn Public Read more about books, babies, reading, baby, brooklyn and reads.
Presentations and Events
I was an expert panelist for a storytelling event hosted by Here's My Chance.
I developed, produced, and moderated this conference session with Bob Sullivan from NBC News, Blair Kahora of Buchanan PR, and Jess Brooks of Boston Community Capital.
Intro and tips and tricks for incorporating social media into your marketing strategy