Feeding Our Neighbors and Filling Our Hearts
Coventry Food Pantry (CFP) has been thriving for over 40 years to-date. Their mission – and ours – is to create a hunger free community throughout northern Chester County by distributing food and basic household supplies to individuals and families in need. After the flooding from hurricane Agnes in 1972 many neighbors were left hungry. It was in this need the pantry was founded. CFP supports residents in the Owen J. Roberts school district with help from donations and state funding. CFP gives out monthly supplies and also hosts other programs and special distributions. At the end of summer CFP provides the children of clients with school bags and supplies. They also provide fixings for Thanksgiving and holiday meals to support individuals and families during those times. About 55 to 65 families are served per month, which represents 200 – 250 individuals.
Food Collection: The pantry holds its monthly food distribution on the first Tuesday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Those who register as clients and meet certain income requirements receive a wagon full of supplies via drive up – they don’t even have to get out of their cars. CFP relies heavily on donations from the local community to supplement the state programs. About half the food and supplies that clients receive come directly from people like you through physical and monetary donations. St. Andrew's contributes over 30 cans and boxes of dry goods and non-perishable food stuffs each month. The pantry is in constant need of the following items:
Jelly (plastic container preferred)
Peanut butter
Tuna
Canned meats
Canned fruit
Cereal and oatmeal
Pasta sauce
Pasta
Rice and side dishes
Cleaning supplies
Paper products
Personal hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent)
Diapers and wipes
Weekend Backpack Program: Good nutrition over the weekend helps children return to school feeling fresh and ready to learn instead of being sick, weak, or unable to concentrate. Hunger also puts kids at risk for health and developmental problems. CFP hosts a backpack program in the OJR school district. Food is distributed to qualified students at the end of each week in backpacks; the guidance counselors identify kids who are struggling, and CFP supplies them with food for the weekend. This program needs healthy food donations:
100% fruit juice boxes
Small fruit cups in 100% juice
Individual pudding cups
Raisins or dried fruit
Yogurt or fruit-filled cereal bars
Granola bars
Fruit rollups, fruit snacks
Crackers
Pudding or Jell-O mix boxes
Small bags of pretzels, goldfish
Where to donate: Collection baskets are set up in the Biddle Room at St. Andrew's. You can also drop off food stuffs directly to the CFP; there is a brown collection bin outside the pantry that is accessible 24/7 by the front entrance.
Monetary donations: CFP is a 501(c) 3 organization and donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to: Coventry Food Pantry - 692 W. Schuylkill Rd., Unit 1, Pottstown, PA 19465.
Volunteer: Sometimes the most valuable thing you can donate to the CFP is your time. Do you have a school group that needs community service? Do you own a truck and are willing to help when we pick up large orders? We will find something for you to do. For more information e-mail Amanda (volunteer coordinator) at volunteerCFP@gmail.com. Be sure to leave your name and your availability.
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