HOPE’s Food Pantry (Hope United Methodist Church)

Almost one million people in the Delaware Valley live in poverty and experience hunger every day, many of them children. HOPE Church currently helps 45 local families (that's nearly 180 people) put some much-needed food on their tables each week. Many of these folks are struggling with unemployment or groceriesunderemployment. Some are senior citizens and others have challenging disabilities. All have need. Committed to the core values of treating all people visiting the pantry with dignity, courtesy and respect, HOPE's Food Pantry volunteers meet and greet guests each week at the counter of the Soul Cafe located in the lobby of the church.A healthy portion of encouraging words and love are dispensed along with the groceries. Sometimes help is given by pointing an individual to other available resources and programs. Recently, a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer was able to share her story with a volunteer who had experienced the same challenge. Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are FoodPantryconfined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the county or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different. "Some guests tell us they feel a sense of shame," a pantry volunteer said, "The truth of the matter is that this could happen to any one of us." Distribution Hours: Every Wednesday 1:00pm - 2:30pm