Opportunity House opening new food pantry in Reading
A new food pantry set to open Thursday in Reading will help provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need.
Opportunity House has announced the opening of its Beacon House Food Pantry at 821 Schuylkill Ave.
'The Beacon House Food Pantry is an important step in expanding our services to ensure that individuals and families in our community have access to fresh, healthy food,' Alyssa Bushkie, COO of Opportunity House, said in a statement.
The pantry offers essential food assistance to anyone experiencing food insecurity, she said.
Much of the food distributed by Beacon House is sourced from Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a partner of Opportunity House since 1984. As part of this long-standing collaboration, Opportunity House also operates a food pantry at its main campus, 430 N. Second St., and uses food provided by Helping Harvest to prepare meals and snacks for clients residing in its emergency shelter.
'We are grateful for the continued partnership with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, whose generous support enables us to provide high-quality food to those in need,' Bushkie said.
Opportunity House's Emergency Food Assistance Program follows guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eligibility is determined based on household size and annual income.
The Beacon House pantry also addresses a critical need in the area: limited access to full-service grocery stores. This condition, known as a food desert, makes it difficult for many residents to secure fresh, affordable and nutritious food.
In neighborhoods throughout the city, particularly in low-income and underserved areas, residents are often forced to rely on costly corner stores with limited healthy options, the organization said. Transportation barriers, mobility issues and limited financial resources further prevent individuals and families from accessing the quality food they need.
The Beacon House Food Pantry will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about receiving food assistance, contact Kim Long, director of case management, at klong@opphouse.org or call 610-374-4696 ext. 238.
Opportunity House relies on volunteers and community support to operate the food pantry and continue its mission of empowering individuals to improve their lives.
To donate, visit opphouse.org.
To volunteer, contact Stacy Perlaki at sperlaki@opphouse.org or call 610-374-4696 ext. 231.
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