No One Should Go Hungry !
Chester County, Pa ranked 40th in median income of all counties in the US in 2011.
In Chester County :
· 1 in 8 people go without food each day.
· 78,200 residents suffer from hunger
· 12,500 children need food assistance
· Demand at the Parkesburg food bank has increased 185% in the last year and a half
The Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) collects and distributes food to 27 food banks/cupboards and 50 meal sites (senior centers, shelters, soup kitchens and non-profits).
· 1.9 million lbs of food per year
· 250,000 lbs of fresh produce
· Grown by CCFB volunteers on 5 farms
· Donated by farmers and gardeners
· 76,000 lbs of vegetables grown in 272 gardens, supervised by CCFB and maintained by schools,
religious organizations, business and community groups in the Raised Bed Garden Program
· Dairy Program provides free milk, eggs and cheese to 50, 000 people
· Weekly Food Backpack Program serves 1,000 school children and their families during the school
year with 288,000 lbs of food and provides 880 children with breakfast, lunch and snacks during
summer months.
The Octorara Area Food Cupboard works in alliance with the Chester County Food Bank to provide residents of the Octorara Area School District with food assistance. To receive aid, clients need to provide a photo id, proof of residence (for example, a utility bill) and a self-declaration of income. All requests for assistance are held in the strictest confidence.
In Chester County :
· 1 in 8 people go without food each day.
· 78,200 residents suffer from hunger
· 12,500 children need food assistance
· Demand at the Parkesburg food bank has increased 185% in the last year and a half
The Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) collects and distributes food to 27 food banks/cupboards and 50 meal sites (senior centers, shelters, soup kitchens and non-profits).
· 1.9 million lbs of food per year
· 250,000 lbs of fresh produce
· Grown by CCFB volunteers on 5 farms
· Donated by farmers and gardeners
· 76,000 lbs of vegetables grown in 272 gardens, supervised by CCFB and maintained by schools,
religious organizations, business and community groups in the Raised Bed Garden Program
· Dairy Program provides free milk, eggs and cheese to 50, 000 people
· Weekly Food Backpack Program serves 1,000 school children and their families during the school
year with 288,000 lbs of food and provides 880 children with breakfast, lunch and snacks during
summer months.
The Octorara Area Food Cupboard works in alliance with the Chester County Food Bank to provide residents of the Octorara Area School District with food assistance. To receive aid, clients need to provide a photo id, proof of residence (for example, a utility bill) and a self-declaration of income. All requests for assistance are held in the strictest confidence.
A Short History of the Parkesburg Mobile Food Pantry (Replaced by OAFC)
In June of 2005, while returning to West Chester from a meeting in Philadelphia, Patty Sobecki, Manager of Food Programs at Chester County Cares, and Larry Welsch, Manager of the Gleaning Program, discussed the idea of creating a Mobile Food Pantry to serve Parkesburg and its surrounding communities. At that time there was no food cupboard serving that area.
After a meeting with Cares management, the project began. It was decided that only food provided through state grants would be used for distribution. The Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, where much of Cares state food was purchased, was contacted to see if they could provide food support for the project.
On August 18th 2005. the Parkesburg Mobile Food Pantry opened in the parking lot of the former Charlie's Thriftway, now the site of the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. Approximately 2000 Ibs. of food was transported in the Cares van from the Cares warehouse in West Chester.
Sixty five people came for food provided by Cares and the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank to that first mobile pantry. Two members of the Cares staff and two volunteers distributed the food. Once a month these four individuals drove to Parkesburg and distributed the food out of the back of a truck.
In 2006 the Mobile Pantry was moved to Parkesedge Senior Apartments, and operated there until 2008. The number of clients increased and word spread. More volunteers emerged from the local community working in partnership with Parkesburg volunteers.
In 2009, the Chester County Food Bank took over the operation of the Mobile Food Pantry. Thanks to the support of Our Lady of Consolation parish, the Pantry was then moved to the George Schneider Parish Center where it operated until November 2012. Fresh foods were incorporated in with non-perishables as well as donated foods from the area. In the last three years over 50 volunteers helped and an average of 250 families/1000 individuals were served monthly at the Mobile.
For a short period of time, the Chester County Food Bank utilized a warehouse in Parkesburg to store all the food the Food Bank was distributing to the county. Parkesburg area volunteers met weekly to assist with food donations and distribution in the warehouse. Partnerships with The Point and local businesses began to flourish.
From 2005 to November of 2012 an average of 9,000 Ibs. of food, including state and federal food, donated food and fresh produce was delivered each month to Parkesburg. Thru November 2012, over 900,000 Ibs. of food has been delivered to the Parkesburg area through the mobile pantry, with over 2000 committed volunteers helping to distribute that food to their neighbors in need.
Since December 2012, the Mobile Food Pantry has been replaced by the Octorara Area Food Cupboard located at 714 Main St. The new location reduces congestion and provides weekly expanded hours to better meet client needs.
After a meeting with Cares management, the project began. It was decided that only food provided through state grants would be used for distribution. The Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, where much of Cares state food was purchased, was contacted to see if they could provide food support for the project.
On August 18th 2005. the Parkesburg Mobile Food Pantry opened in the parking lot of the former Charlie's Thriftway, now the site of the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. Approximately 2000 Ibs. of food was transported in the Cares van from the Cares warehouse in West Chester.
Sixty five people came for food provided by Cares and the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank to that first mobile pantry. Two members of the Cares staff and two volunteers distributed the food. Once a month these four individuals drove to Parkesburg and distributed the food out of the back of a truck.
In 2006 the Mobile Pantry was moved to Parkesedge Senior Apartments, and operated there until 2008. The number of clients increased and word spread. More volunteers emerged from the local community working in partnership with Parkesburg volunteers.
In 2009, the Chester County Food Bank took over the operation of the Mobile Food Pantry. Thanks to the support of Our Lady of Consolation parish, the Pantry was then moved to the George Schneider Parish Center where it operated until November 2012. Fresh foods were incorporated in with non-perishables as well as donated foods from the area. In the last three years over 50 volunteers helped and an average of 250 families/1000 individuals were served monthly at the Mobile.
For a short period of time, the Chester County Food Bank utilized a warehouse in Parkesburg to store all the food the Food Bank was distributing to the county. Parkesburg area volunteers met weekly to assist with food donations and distribution in the warehouse. Partnerships with The Point and local businesses began to flourish.
From 2005 to November of 2012 an average of 9,000 Ibs. of food, including state and federal food, donated food and fresh produce was delivered each month to Parkesburg. Thru November 2012, over 900,000 Ibs. of food has been delivered to the Parkesburg area through the mobile pantry, with over 2000 committed volunteers helping to distribute that food to their neighbors in need.
Since December 2012, the Mobile Food Pantry has been replaced by the Octorara Area Food Cupboard located at 714 Main St. The new location reduces congestion and provides weekly expanded hours to better meet client needs.