Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Chester County

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic make their way to the dinner table for many, and Chester County is no exception. Many here worry regularly about having enough food in the house.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end. That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it's a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Chester County, about 32,330 were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Chester County up by the end of the year. Before the pandemic, just under 7 percent of Chester County residents reported at some time in the year being food insecure. Unemployment related to the pandemic is surely pushing that number up.

In 2018, the county's food budget shortfall was calculated at $22 million. That figure represents the amount of money that food-insecure people reported needing in order to meet their needs for food.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include Philabundance on S. Galloway Street in the city, as well as the Chester County Food Bank in Exton, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

An interactive map to help find a Chester County food pantry can be found here.

Some of the food pantries and other services available in Chester County include:

WEST CHESTER:
Cornerstone Christian Fellowship — 426 W. Gay St.
484-358-4983
Dinner: Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Meals on Wheels Agency — 404 Willowbrook Lane
610-430-8500
Deliveries available Monday - Friday to elderly and homebound individuals.

Safe Harbor — 20 N. Matlack St.
610-696-9016
Community Lunch is served Monday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and on Sundays November-March same time.

St. Agnes Day Room — 233 W. Gay St.
610-429-0697
Breakfast: Monday - Friday: 9-10 a.m. Lunch: Monday - Friday: Noon - 1:30 p.m.

West Chester Area Senior Center — 530 E. Union St.
610-431-4242
Breakfast: Monday - Friday: 8-9:30 a.m. $4 donation. Lunch: Monday - Friday: Noon. $2 donation requested from those 60 and over, $4.40 donation from those under 60.

West Chester Salvation Army Community Meals — 101 E. Market St.
610-696-8746
Monday - Thursday: Breakfast 7 a.m. | Dinner 5 p.m. Saturday Dinner 5 p.m. (except 2nd Saturday) Sunday Lunch 1 p.m. Sunday Dinner 5 p.m. No meal service on Fridays.

Church of Holy Trinity — 212 S. High St.
610-389-4505
Friday Night Supper: Every Friday 4-6 p.m.

Act In Faith — 212 S. High St.
484-324-8492
Church of the Holy Trinity, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10 a.m. - Noon. Wednesday: 1-3 p.m.

Baptist Church of West Chester — 221 S High St.
610-696-7466
Saturday Morning Breakfast: 6-9 a.m. Second and Fourth Sundays 11 a.m. Open to the public - no charge.

West Chester Food Cupboard — 431 S Bolmar St.
610-344-3175
Call ahead or visit WestChesterFoodCupboard.org to confirm hours.

West Chester Salvation Army
610-696-8746
Emergency Food Distribution Monday - Friday: 9 a.m - 4 p.m.
Pantry by Appointment, Tuesday 9:30 a.m.-noon and Thursday 2:30-3:30 p.m.

PHOENIXVILLE:
Alianza’s Latino Outreach — 148 Church St.
610-933-9200
Thursdays: 11 a.m.

Phoenixville Area Community Services — 257 Church St.
610-933-1105 Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phoenixville Senior Center — 153 Church St.
610-935-1515
Fridays: 8-10 a.m. by appointment only.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry — 121 Church St.
610-933-2195 (church office)
Pantry: Every other Saturday: 9-10:30 a.m. Includes a breakfast 8:30 - 10 a.m.
The following Monday: 6-7 p.m. with a dinner before, from 5-6 p.m.

Phoenixville Ecumenical Meal Program — 121 Church St.
Hot Meals: Monday - Friday, Noon - 1 p.m. Breakfast Saturdays 8:30 a.m.
Food Pantry open Saturday after breakfast.

SPRING CITY:
Spring City Food Pantry — 145 Chestnut St.
484-431-3493
Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. - Noon

DEVON:
Great Valley Food Cupboard — 945 N. Valley Forge Road
610-688-5445
Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Second Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.

Surrey Service for Seniors — 60 Surrey Way
610-647-6404
Lunch: Monday - Thursday (and 2 Fridays a month): 11:30 a.m. - 12: 30 pm., for a recommended donation of $4

PAOLI:
Church of the Good Samaritan Food Closet — 212 W. Lancaster Ave.
610-551-5767
First and Third Thursday: 9-11:00 a.m. and Second and Fourth Thursday: 5-7 p.m.

Paoli Presbyterian Church — 225 S. Valley Road
610- 644-8250
First Wednesday of every month 9 - 10:30 a.m.

BERWYN:
Trinity Presbyterian Church — 640 Berwyn Ave.
610 644-0932
Third Thursday, but if there are 5 Thursdays, it's the fourth Thursday.

DOWNINGTOWN:
Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown — 141 E. Lancaster Ave.
610-873-1149
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Thursday: 6- 7:30 p.m.

Downingtown Senior Center — 983 E. Lancaster Ave.
610-269-3939
Lunch: Monday - Friday at Noon. $2 suggested donation

FRAZER:
People’s Pantry at Church Road — 384 Lancaster Ave.
610-648-0707
Second and Fourth Wednesdays and Saturdays: 9-10:30 a.m.

POTTSTOWN:
Coventry Food Pantry — 845 S. Hanover St.
610-326-5659
First Tuesday: 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, after the First Tuesday: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Information about other Chester County resources may be found here.

Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor