More than 1,000 families from Honey Brook, Glenmore and Elverson received food for a holiday meal and toys for the children on Dec. 19 in time for Christmas.
“For The Salvation Army Glenmoore Food Pantry Christmas 2014, 1,025 people were assisted for Christmas,” wrote Cindy Yearsley, Regional Manager, The Salvation Army, to the Tri County Record. “233 children received clothing, a coat if needed and toys. Each family received a food box with all of the fixings for a turkey dinner including the turkey!”
Established in the spring of 2004, The Salvation Army Glenmoore Food Pantry serves the communities of Honey Brook, Glenmoore and Elverson. The food pantry is located at 570 Fairview Road in Glenmoore at the Faith Alliance Church.
“The church generously provides the space for storage and distribution of the food at no cost,” writes Yearsley. “The County identified the need to provide food to the residents of this rural area of Chester County.”
“In 2004, a State Food Purchase Program grant made it possible to purchase shelving for food storage. In 2013, a second State Food Purchase Program grant made it possible to purchase a two door freezer and one door refrigerator for food storage. The home freezer that served its purpose for nine years was retired,” according to a release from Yearsley.
The food pantry is open every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Each week about 60 families come to the food pantry, said Yearsley.
“Volunteers have worked hundreds of hours to make this happen!” wrote Yearsley.
“The food pantry program is conducted by a committee of volunteers with oversight of The Salvation Army Regional Manager,” according to Yearsley. “The committee is a subcommittee of the Downingtown Service Unit committee by Salvation Army zip code designation. Volunteers are responsible for picking up food donations, stocking the shelves and distributing the food. Contracts and reporting requirements are the responsibility of The Salvation Army Regional Manager. Since 2004 volunteers have contributed over 20,000 hours of their time and managed over 30,000 tons of food.”
The Salvation Army Glenmoore Food Pantry Programs:
According a release from The Salvation Army Glenmore Food Pantry, the following pantry programs include:
TEFAP & SFPP: program is conducted on the first Friday of each month (distribution is restricted to once a month by the program – government contract)
Other food resources: distributed every Friday
Emergency food: is distributed as needed by appointment
Camp Ladore: an overnight camp experience for boys and girls age 7-12
Back to School: backpacks and school supplies for students
Thanksgiving: each family receives a turkey and “sides” for the holiday meal
Christmas: each family receives a turkey and “sides” for the holiday meal
Children age 0-18 receive clothing, coats and age appropriate toys or gifts.
Easter Dinner: each family receives a ham and “sides” for the holiday meal
Easter baskets with small toy and “goodies” distributed to children.
The Salvation Army Downingtown Service Unit provides emergency financial assistance for essential needs to families in crisis in the Glenmoore Food Pantry service area. Assistance may include, but is not limited to: rent assistance, utility assistance, heating fuel and prescriptions.
In 2013 the following assistance was provided:
Food: 5,621 peopleRent: 107 people
Fuel and Utility: 382 peopleEaster: 162 people
Thanksgiving: 170 peopleChristmas: 988 people
Camperships: 32 childrenRegional Salvation Army programs are also available through the Service Unit, such as: Emergency/Disaster Services, Adult Rehabilitation Centers, Missing Persons Bureau, and Corrections Ministry.
Information and Referral: Families are kept informed of other programs that may be available to them throughout the year such as the rent rebate program for seniors, LIHEAP (heating fuel assistance), VITA (income tax preparation) etc. The goal is, with the help of these supplemental programs, to support families in maintaining self-sufficiency.
The food resources come from local vendors and programs, according to Yearsley. “The needs of the food pantry program include, but are not limited to: food donations and monetary gifts to purchase perishable foods such as meat. Foods most needed are: canned meals (i.e. ravioli), boxed meals (i.e. macaroni and cheese), breakfast cereals and jelly.
We also accept paper products, cleaning products and personal hygiene items.”
For more information, contact Cindy Yearsley, Regional Manager, The Salvation Army, Box 96, Wagontown, PA 19376, or call 610-383-0868.
