COVID-19 Food Resources

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten    April 3, 2020 | 4:08 PM

 

My office has received many questions about resources for individuals and families in need of food as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a list of resources and services available to ensure no one goes hungry during this difficult time. If you have any questions, please contact my office at 484-200-8259 or repotten@pahouse.net.

Food Banks and Pantries

Senior Centers

If you are a senior living in Chester County and you need assistance obtaining breakfast or lunch, please reach out to the Phoenixville Area Senior Center or the Coatesville Area Senior Center. For more information, please check their websites or Facebook pages. You may need to call ahead to reserve your meal. 

School Districts

  • Coatesville Area School District
    • CASD is providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for all students.
    • Hours and distribution locations vary. Visit the CASD website for the latest information.
    • If you have any questions about receiving food, please contact Eric Robinson, 610-466-2405 or robinsone@casdschools.org, or contact Brenda Wolf, 610-466-2404 or wolfb@casdschools.org.
  • Downingtown Area School District
    • DASD will continue to aid families on the free and reduced meal plans during the closure. If you have food-services-related questions, please contact Kathy LaBricciosa at 610-269-4400 x 7595 or by email at klabricciosa@dasd.org.
  • Owen J. Roberts School District
    • OJRSD will provide free meals to students that receive free or reduced lunch. Students can pick up breakfast and lunch at the Owen J. Roberts Middle School between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Please pull up your car along the curb at the middle school cafeteria door, roll down the passenger side window, state the names of the children in your family that are registered for the program, and someone will hand you a paper bag containing a free breakfast and lunch. Please do not get out of your car.

If you family has additional needs, please email the guidance counselor of your child’s school.

  • Phoenixville Area School District
    • PASD is providing breakfast and lunch for students while schools are closed. Any child (ages 0-18) can come to one of the food distribution sites below between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. every weekday for a meal. On Friday additional food will be distributed for the weekend.
      • Barkley Elementary School, 320 2nd Ave.
      • Phoenixville Area Community Services, 257 Church St.
      • Bethel Baptist Church, 412 Fairview St.
      • Kmart Parking Lot, 1000 Nutt Rd.
      • Technical College High School – Pickering Campus, 1580 Charlestown Rd.
  • Spring-Ford Area School District
    • SFASD is providing breakfast and lunch brown bag service to all students 18 and under. Food distribution will take place Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at three locations:
      • The 5/6/7 Grade Center, 833 South Lewis Rd. Building 2, Royersford
      • Royersford Elementary School, 450 Spring Street, Royersford
      • Spring City Elementary School, 190 South Wall Street, Spring City
    • For the latest information visit: https://www.spring-ford.net/parents/covid-19

Senior Resources

The Chester County Department of Aging developed this list of resources for local seniors during this time. They also developed this helpful guide to the special hours for seniors only at local grocers and pharmacies: you can find that guide here.

  • ROVER
    • ROVER is still transporting to the grocery store. Rider must be registered before booking a trip. Registration can be completed online here or by calling 484-696-3854. ROVER is working on making buses available as early as 5AM to take seniors to grocery stores/pharmacy during special hours. They are also working to ensure there are no more than 3 riders on the bus at a time to comply with social distancing.
  • Meals on Wheels of Chester County
    • Meals on Wheels of Chester County is continuing to provide services. Sign up for meals here. If you are unable to get up to retrieve your meal from a cooler (have limited mobility), most volunteers will bring your meal inside the home. Any questions or problems can be asked or reported at 610-430-8500.
  • Meals for Seniors
    • Area Agencies on Aging continue to provide meals for older adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Call your local Area Agency on Aging and request that you be connected with meals.

Grocery Help for Low-Income Individuals

  • SNAP
    • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families, older adults, and individuals pay for groceries. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card, which can then be used to purchase food at grocery stores, supermarkets, some farmers markets, and other stores that accept SNAP.

Emergency SNAP applications can be expedited and issued in five days. Pennsylvanians can apply for SNAP online.

Food for Women, Children, and Families

  • WIC
    • WIC helps with nutrition for pregnant women, nursing women, postpartum women, and infants and children younger than 5. Benefits can be used for approved grocery items at stores that accept WIC.

Apply by calling the toll-free hotline at 800-WIC-WINS, or start your WIC application online.

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