Mount Carmel Guild Emergency Assistance

The Emergency Assistance program provides emergency food to almost 8,000 families per year, feeding over 17,000 household members. Not only are some of our clients homeless, but our low-income clients also include a significant number of disabled and/or aged persons living on fixed incomes. Clients are referred to this program by numerous Mercer County agencies. Our staff assesses the needs of the entire family. Five days a week we distribute bags of food, according to family size. The Emergency Assistance program's primary purpose is to provide direct and immediate support and relief to individuals and families in both chronic and temporary crisis. This program assists clients in crisis by providing them with an array of social services that includes the following: Three to five day supply of nutritious food items, both perishable and non-perishable; As funds are available, utility assistance to prevent shut off or to restore services; Limited financial assistance to those who have no prescription coverage; Basic staples for newborns and infants, such as diapers, formula, baby food; Personal hygiene and grooming items, basic household items, and clothing, as available; Referrals to additional services within the community.