• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Friend, Inc. Community Services, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Community Impact
    • Media and Press
  • Food Pantry
    • Noble Street Pantry
    • KU Student Pantry
    • Pet Pantry
    • Alburtis Mobile Market
    • Albany Township Pantry
    • Menus, Recipes and Nutrition
  • Social Services
    • Rental/Utility Assistance
    • Food Support
    • Medical Assistance
    • Career Guidance
    • On-Site Collaboration
    • Safe Berks
    • Family Guidance Center
    • Maternal & Family Health Services (WIC)
  • Events
    • Benefit Auction
    • Brake the Cycle of Poverty Ride
    • Holidays
  • Get Involved
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Volunteer
    • Pantry Wish List
    • Become a Corporate Partner
    • Amazon Smile
  • Contact
  • Donate

Food Pantry

Food Pantry
NOBLE STREET PANTRY   |   KU STUDENT PANTRY  |  PET PANTRY   |   ALBURTIS MOBILE MARKET   |      ALBANY TOWNSHIP PANTRY   |   MENUS, RECIPES & NUTRITION

Noble Street Pantry

First Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each month by appointment
610-683-7791

Noble Street Open Pantry (no appointment needed)

Third Thursday (March 16) — 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Third Friday (March 17) — 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Friend, Inc. Community Services food pantry client Clarence with daughter Tammy and a shopping cart full of food

On a recent pantry day Tammy Hamm of Kutztown helped her 84-year-old father Clarence select nutritional foods for his next month’s meals. Clarence filled his cart with frozen meats, fresh vegetables, canned goods, and other wholesome foods that he chose from the Pantry shelves before topping it off with a small ice cream cake! Tammy hopes that by sharing his story more seniors and others in need will reach out to Friend, Inc. for help.

Rural communities are no strangers to food insecurity. Each month over 500 individuals have their food needs supplemented through the Noble Street Pantry. Between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds of food are distributed monthly through the Pantry; food that our families get to choose as they shop their way through the aisles. Meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal, canned and baked goods, and on occasion a nice dessert!

The Noble Street Pantry is open five days each month with the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday by appointment though walk-ins are welcome. (Call 610-683-9011 to schedule). The third Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, and third Friday, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, are open to all and new patrons are always welcomed!

AmpleHarvest.org logo

Friend, Inc. Chosen as Ample Harvest’s Pantry of the Month

Read the Article
Visit AmpleHarvest.org
View our Pantry Wish List
Learn more about hunger in America

KU Student Pantry

Open during the academic year
Wednesdays — 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Thursdays — 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Lutheran Centre, 15175 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown

At first glance, a college campus might look like a place of equal opportunity — communal dorms, shared dining halls, similar course loads. However, arriving on campus freshman year is not where the college access conversation ends if students’ basic needs are not being met.

A student’s ability to focus in class, stay in school, and feel part of the campus community are threatened by food insecurity. While 1 in 3 college students faces food insecurity nationally, the stigma around being low-income and shut out from a communal space like the dining hall have kept the conversation out of mind for many.

Each month the Friend, Inc. Student Pantry welcomes more than 200 student visits. In September of this year there were 63 new households that joined. The Pantry is open 8 days each month. Students certainly appreciate the work of our volunteers and donors who support this important service. Our Student Pantry is always accepting donations of personal care items.

Learn more about hunger on campuses across the country

Pet Pantry

Dogs and cats are people too! And they deserve to eat as well. Friend, Inc. operates one of the few pantries dedicated to our furry family members. The Pet Pantry currently operates in conjunction with our Noble Street Pantry but is always available in those special circumstances with just a phone call (610-683-7791).

How can you help?

  • Drop off unopened bags or cans of pet food, treats, litter or other supplies in the lobby of our Noble Street office.
  • Order items from our Amazon Wish List or Chewy.com Wish List – they’ll be delivered right to our door.
  • Make a monetary donation to benefit Friend, Inc.’s Pet Food Pantry.

Host a Food & Supply Drive

Food & Supply Drives are a great way to help Friend, Inc.’s Pet Food Pantry increase the supply of food and resources to pets in need. If you have questions before you start the process or need any supplies (boxes, flyers), contact Cathy Dill at 610-683-7791 or email cathy@friendinc.org.


Alburtis Mobile Market

First Thursday — 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Huff’s Union Church, 540 Conrad Rd, Alburtis

What’s the answer if you cannot get to food? Have the food get to you! In 2016, Helping Harvest began their Mobile Market program in which low-income residents of Berks and Schuylkill Counties receive nutritious produce, dairy and meats. The Mobile Markets provide food once a month, year-round, at 12 sites in Berks County. Friend, Inc. is very proud to operate the market in Alburtis at Huff’s Union Church on the first Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

Find us here (Google Maps)
Learn more about Berks County’s Mobile Markets

Albany Township Pantry

First Tuesday of each month — 2:00 to 3:30 PM
(April 4)
Kempton Community Center, 83 Community Center Drive, Kempton

A food pantry and social support services are open to Albany Township residents and families in need. Resources are also available for those struggling with utility bills or other financial challenges, or who need help applying for medical or food assistance. Contact us at 610-683-9011 to find out what your options are.


Menus, Recipes and Nutrition

The Pennsylvania Kitchen series brings in guests from all over the state to share their passion for PA food and drink. Each special guest shares two recipes and we post a behind-the-scenes look at the production. Continue reading…

Footer

Who We Are

Friend, Inc. Community Services is a multi-service 501(c)(3) agency that is committed to strengthening the lives of those living in Northeastern Berks County.

Our Story | Press
Community Impact | Financials (PDF)

What We Do

Annual Benefit Auction
Brake the Cycle of Poverty Ride
Food Pantry
Rental/Utility Assistance
Food Support
Medical Assistance
Career Guidance
On-Site Collaboration

How Can You Help?

Make a One-Time Donation
Make a Monthly Donation
Volunteer
Become a Corporate Partner
Help for the Holidays
Sponsor an Event
A Box of Berks & Amazon Smile
Contact Us

Stay Connected

658D Noble Street
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-7790

Facebook    Instagram    Twitter    LinkedIn

Copyright © 2023 · Friend, Inc. Community Services · Sheila Sacks, Web Designer · Nondiscrimination Statement · Privacy Policy United Way of Berks County logo