ELIGIBILITY
Clients in need who visit the cupboard are asked to show proof of residency when registering. Must live in the Twin Valley School District both Chester and Berks County. This also includes the Indian Run Community.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program is operated in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Eligibility is based upon the income guidelines listed below. The recipient circles the entire line that applies to their Household Size, understanding they must be at, or below, the income level indicated to be eligible for program benefits.
If you are new to the Honey Brook Food Pantry, please call us ahead of the distribution so we may pre-register you. Call us at (610) 273-6102 and leave a message with a good callback phone number.
WHAT WILL BE RECEIVED
Each client receives meat items, dairy products such as milk, eggs and cheese, and a box of non-perishables, including peanut butter, pasta sauce, cereal, and soup. Bread, pastries and produce are also provided. The average weight is 35-40 pounds of food.
DISTRIBUTION
Our Distribution Days are:
The 2nd Wednesday of the month (10:00AM-12:30PM)
The 4th Wednesday of the month (4:00-6:30PM)
HELPFUL REMINDERS
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Please pass the word about the HB Food Pantry….we still run into folks who don’t know about it! Better yet, bring a friend here to show them how friendly and helpful we are! If you can bring a neighbor who lacks transportation, please do - - transportation is a big issue in HB.
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Use the pantry even in your “good” earnings months. Put extra earnings into an “emergency fund” that will help you in rough times.
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For Your Pets: The ChesCo Mobile Pet Food Pantry operates at, Minquas Fire Dept., 141 Wallace Ave, Downingtown, on the 3rd Sat of each month, 11 am to 1 pm (weather permitting). See http://animalhouseproject.org/about-us.html or call (484) 558-0467, for more info, or about other locations & services, including veterinary programs. They’re on Facebook too!
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
One of the services offered at the HB Food Pantry is employment assistance. Information is available at each distribution about local job fairs and job recruitment events at CareerLink in Exton. Other available services include assistance with resumes and/or cover letters. If interested in assistance with job searching, please call the pantry: 610 273-6102.
Click here for resources for job seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Financial Navigation & Coordination Services
A Financial Navigator is available to help you with financial and resource coordination during this difficult time. Contact Ashley Thornton of Open Hearth, Inc. at (610) 280-1023 or by e-mail to get started.
Ashley is available to take your calls and can schedule your Tele-appointments upon request.
Counseling Resources
Family Service of Chester County is offering counseling services to PA CareerLink and Financial Stability Center customers by Telehealth.
Visit their YouTube Page and explore their videos that have been developed to help deal with the stress related to the current health and financial issues resulting from COVID-19.
Assistance with Filing for Public Health Benefits
Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC) has created a YouTube Video to help guide individuals looking for help to file for public assistance benefits.
MCHC staff members are ready to assist individuals during this difficult time. Staff are currently assisting individuals on a daily basis. Contact MCHC at 610-344-5370
OTHER AVENUES OF ASSISTANCE
Here is our list of handy phone numbers and links:
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(610)942-4039 - - Heart In Hands Community Center: many programs for kids and teens, including summer programs
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(877)918-2100 - - 24/7 Emotional Support
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(610)280-1010 - - Career Link http://www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/ help in job hunting
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(610)521-8770 - - Apply for FREE weatherization - - start now for savings next winter!
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(877)395-8930 - - Review your overall benefits and ask your questions to PA Dept of Human Services (formerly Dept. of Public Welfare) by calling the Statewide Customer service. Also, https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass - - Run the “do I qualify” program to see what benefits you could apply for.
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Call 2-1-1 - - Facing possible homelessness? Call the 2-1-1 call center for help. See the flyer in English and Spanish.
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(888)232-6302 - - PPL Energy Assistance Programs
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(610)647-4940 - - Home of the Sparrow, for women facing homelessness.
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(610)431-3598 - - Friends Association, for families w/ children facing homelessness.
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(610)273-2848 - - free community dinner at the HB Presbyterian Church, 1st Thursdays.
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(877)429-5994 - - Legal Aid of SE PA, free legal advice, M-F, 9am-1pm.
Visit our cooking demo table at the next distribution!
There are plenty of good ideas for easy, healthy meals - stop by and pick up a free recipe!
Healthy Tips from the Wellness Tent
Get the Facts on Fiber
Getting enough fiber is something people don't think about all that often. Let's face it: Most of us haven't a clue how many grams of fiber we're taking in on a typical day.
And guess what? We're not even close to meeting the recommended intakes of 20-35 grams a day for healthy adults!
We get fiber from unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. Are these foods on your plate every day? If not, read on.
Why Do We Need Fiber?
It's hard to believe that something we can't even digest can be so good for us! A higher-fiber diet has been shown to lower help lower your blood cholesterol , help normalize blood sugar levels, and prevent constipation and help manage other GI issues. Protective effects even extend to helping prevent colon cancer and breast cancer! Higher fiber foods also contain more nutrients and fewer calories, are digested more slowly, and help us feel full sooner.
Choose Whole Grains
2 slices of whole wheat bread=4 g
1 cup of cooked brown rice= 4 g
1/4 cup of whole-wheat flour, used in baking = 3 grams of fiber.
7 Reduced-Fat Triscuit crackers = 3 grams.
Choose High-Fiber Breakfast Cereals
1 cup of Raisin Bran = 7.5 grams of fiber.
1 cup of Quaker Squares Baked in Cinnamon = 5 grams.
1 cup of Frosted Shredded Wheat Spoon size = 5 grams.
3/4 cup of cooked oatmeal = 3 grams of fiber.
1 cup of cooked Cream of Wheat = 3 grams of fiber.
1 cup of Multigrain Cheerios = 3 grams of fiber.
1 cup of Wheaties = 3 grams of fiber.
Eat Beans a Few Times a Week
1 cup of canned minestrone soup = about 5 grams.
1/2 cup of vegetarian or fat-free refried beans, used to make easy microwave nachos = about 6 grams of fiber.
1/4 cup of kidney beans, added to green salads = 3 grams of fiber.
A bean burrito at Taco Bell (or made at home) = 8 grams.
Work in Fruits Whenever You Can
Try to get several servings every day. Add fruit to your morning meal, enjoy it as a snack, and garnish your dinner plate with it. You can even have fruit with -- or instead of -- dessert!
1 apple = 3.7 grams of fiber.
1 banana = 2.8 grams of fiber.
1 pear = 4 grams of fiber.
1 cup of strawberries = 3.8 grams of fiber.
Work in Veggies Whenever You Can
Try fitting veggies in at all meals and snacks. Try a meatless meal with lots of veggies.
1 cup of carrot slices, cooked = 5 grams of fiber.
1 cup of cooked broccoli = 4.5 grams of fiber.
1 cup of raw carrots = 4 grams of fiber.
1 sweet potato = 4 grams of fiber.
1 cup of cauliflower, cooked = 3 grams of fiber.
2 cups of raw spinach leaves = 3 grams of fiber.