NOBLE STREET PANTRY | KU STUDENT PANTRY | SNAP FOR STUDENTS | PET PANTRY | ALBURTIS MOBILE MARKET | ALBANY TOWNSHIP PANTRY | BRANDYWINE FOOD PANTRY | MENUS, RECIPES & NUTRITION | NEW BERKS FARM INTERACTIVE MAP
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 of each month — 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Third Friday of each month — 10:00 to 11:30 AM
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!
Friend, Inc. Chosen as Ample Harvest’s Pantry of the Month
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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.
SNAP for Students
The Department of Human Services encourages every Pennsylvanian experiencing food insecurity to apply for SNAP, this includes students.
A lot of students enrolled in post-secondary education programs are not financially privileged. In fact, the HOPE Center at Temple University Opens In A New Window recently found that 39% of students at two-year schools and 29% of students at four-year schools experience food insecurity.
SNAP can provide extra support that ensures you will be able to buy groceries and not have to choose between a meal and a tuition bill. This line of support can make a big difference in being able to afford your education and stay nourished.
NOTE: SNAP is an entitlement program. This means if you receive SNAP, you are not taking benefits away from “someone who needs it more.” Everyone who is found eligible always receives the full benefit they are entitled to by law.
Pet Pantry
Dogs and cats are family 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 runs 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 (Hereford Township)
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 Alburtis Mobile Market at Huff’s Union Church on the first Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
Albany Township Pantry
First Tuesday of each month — Call 610-683-7791 to order a box for pickup
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.
Brandywine Food Pantry
First, Second and Third Tuesday of each month — 9:00 am to 1:00 pm by appointment
First and Third Tuesday of each month — 4:00 to 6:00 pm by appointment
St. Peter’s Church, 122 W. Franklin Street, Topton (Back of the church)
The Brandywine Food Pantry serves the communities of the Brandywine Heights Area School District. Pickup is by appointment — call (484) 861-7117 (leave a message if there is no answer).
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…
New Berks Farm Interactive Map
This local food map is an interactive tool showcasing Berks County farms and other agricultural producers, allowing users to find locally grown produce and other goods. Locations can be filtered by business type, products offered, and accepted form of payment. That way someone looking for pasture-raised eggs, pick your own apples, or locally canned pickles can find exactly what they are looking for and exactly where it’s located!
