Oley Valley Food Pantry - Friedens Lutheran Church

OLEY VALLEY FOOD PANTRY

A Community Food Pantry located at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church

WHAT IS THE OLEY VALLEY FOOD PANTRY?

The Oley Valley Food Pantry has been providing food for low income families in the community since October of 1997. The Oley Valley Food Pantry distributes approximately 7,500 pounds of food per month. The majority of food comes from the Greater Berks Food Bank. We pay a maintenance fee of between 0 and 19 cents per pound which pays for their physical operation - heating the building, running the massive drive-in freezer, paying salaries, electricity, etc. For every dollar we receive, we can get $20 worth of food from the Greater Berks Food Bank.

WHO BENEFITS?

More than 25 million Americans - including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors - who receive emergency food assistance each year from Feeding America, the Nation's Food Bank network of charitable agencies.

FACTS ABOUT RURAL HUNGER

Challenges facing rural areas greatly differ from metro/urban areas:

Employment is more concentrated in low-wage industries
Unemployment and underemployment are greater
Education levels are lower
Work support services, such as flexible and affordable childcare and public transportation are less available
Rural marketplace offers less access to communication and transportation networks.

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Organization	Phone Number
Berks Community Action Program and Budget Counseling Center	610-375-7866
Berks County Citizens Council	610-373-3195
Berks County Courthouse Legal Assistance	1-800-262-5297
Berks Women in Crisis	610-372-9540
Center for Mental Health	610-378-6070
Family Promise of Berks County	610-373-3323
Food Stamps	610-736-4211
Greater Berks Food Bank	610-926-5802
Human Relations Council	610-375-8852
Office of Aging	610-478-6500
PA Energy Assistance Program	610-736-4228
Reading Salvation Army	610-373-5208
Volunteer Home Care	610-682-1412
Women's Counseling Services	610-372-7234

The Oley Valley Food Pantry is held at Friedens Lutheran Church on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

INCOME GUIDELINES

(2018-2019)

FAMILY SIZE YEAR MONTH WEEK

1 $18,210 $1,518 $350

2 $24,690 $2,058 $475

3 $31,170 $2,598 $599

4 $37,650 $3,138 $724

5 $44,130 $3,678 $849

6 $50,610 $4,218 $973

7 $57,090 $4,758 $1,098

8 $63,570 $5,298 $1,223

Each additional add $6,480 $540 $125

For further information, please call Friedens Lutheran Church

at 610-987-6021.

STATE FOOD PURCHASE PROGRAM

The State Food Purchase Program is Pennsylvania's key program designed to help meet the nutritional needs of those struggling with hunger. The past several PA budgets have substantially weakened this program. This has created a severe reduction in pounds of food available for distribution because of the combination of rising food prices and the underfunding of the State Food Purchase Program.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Awareness - Help us spread the word about our services. We need to reach all the families in our community who cannot afford to put food on the table.

Cash Donations - For every $1 donated, we can purchase $20 worth of food from the Greater Berks Food Bank.

Volunteer - Share your time and talent to help us provide food for those people who are less fortunate. Join us the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month anytime between 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Food Drives - Organize a food drive at your school, church or civic group. Challenge other civic groups to help us beat hunger.

Donations - We are always in need of items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. (these are items that we do not receive from the Greater Berks Food Bank). Currently we need canned vegetables and fruit, canned tuna, cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, mac & cheese, canned chicken, small cans of coffee, small jars of peanut butter, and jelly.

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