All posts by: Amanda Hoffman

Wine Not

On May 9, 2019, over 65 women gathered from all parts of the Greater Pottstown area for an evening of fine wine, fellowship, and fundraising at the inaugural “Wine” Not? Women Helping Women event at the Stone Barn Cellars Winery. During the event, guests enjoyed wine tastings, a delectable dinner donated by local organizations and event committee members, and prizes such as must-have luxury women’s themed gift baskets. 

Event attendees came together to not only celebrate the women in their lives, but to also raise funds to support local under-resourced women. The need is great in Montgomery County, PA, as the largest demographic living in poverty is Female 18-24, followed by Female 25-34, and then Female 35-44. Last month PCRC served 257 families with women as “head of household.” 

Because of the women who joined us in our mission and supported the event, we were able to surpass our fundraising goal to provide local under-resourced women with food security, housing stability, and supportive services and education. We are already looking forward to the second annual Women Helping Women event in May 2020. “Wine” Not join us next year? 

Please visit our website frequently at pottstowncluster.org, or look for PCRC communications to come for information about next year’s event!

Barb Basket
Wine Not
Wine Not
Wine Not
Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →

On June 12, 2019, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) celebrated five empowered UP3 (Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere) graduates during a ceremony and celebration at The Hill School Center for the Arts. The UP3 graduates successfully completed a 16-week UP3 program dedicated to getting out of poverty, building social connections, and goal planning. We are proud to announce that our graduates are now on a path to creating a brighter financial future for themselves.  

Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere (UP3) is a mentored 16-week program which builds on the framework of Bridges Out of Poverty, and helps individuals build their resources and social capital.

For more information about UP3 visit: pottstowncluster.org/supportiveservicesandeducation or contact Ryli Meyer at 610.970.5995 or RMeyer@pottstowncluster.org.

Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →

Signature Page

Thank you to all who showcased their support for our mission and shared your commitment to positively impacting the lives of our neighbors in need with their recent donation to our ninth annual Signature Page Showcase of Support initiative.

We are grateful that so many have confirmed their  dedication to providing tangible services, support, and spiritual guidance to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

Because of the unwavering support we received, this community initiative has raised nearly $15,000 to support our work so we can continue to positively impact lives by providing food security,

housing stability, supportive services and education.

The Signature Page Showcase of Support will be published in The Mercury in August.

 

Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →

“Celebrate Service with Heart” is the theme of the upcoming You Gotta Have Heart fall FUNraising event.

SAVE THE DATE You Gotta Have HeartYou are invited to join us at our 8th annual fundraiser “You Gotta Have Heart” on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The SunnyBrook Ballroom.

“Celebrate Service” with us during an evening of fine food (dinner), awards, inspirational stories,
entertainment, FUNraising, and more! All proceeds support PCRC’s mission.

To learn more, or to become a sponsor, please contact Merri Brown: call 610.970.5995 or email mbrown@pottstowncluster.org; or visit pottstowncluster.org/yougottahaveheart.

Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →

Get the Latest Updates Here! 

 

Pantry Particulars

Bring the Basics to our personal care pantry to help local friends and neighbors in need! We announce a new item and goal every month.

Each month, you can help us reach our goal by simply delivering donated items to our personal care pantry. You can also ask your family and friends to participate or even host a drive at your worship center, congregation, work, or school!

July’s goal is 31 sets of cleaning buckets (*cleaning supplies also appreciated) and our August goal is 31 silverware sets.

 

 

Volunteer Voices

PCRC recently welcomed Volunteer Coordinator, Anissa Jones and Communications Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Hoffman. The two will work together to strengthen the PCRC volunteer program and involve a community of volunteers who are committed to our mission. PCRC volunteers are the heart of our organization and their commitment, time, and energy are vital parts of our ability to provide services to individuals and families within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

When someone volunteers at PCRC they gain a better understanding of the community’s critical needs in relation to poverty, food security, and housing stability. Our volunteers impact local people in need, positively transform our community as a whole, and affect change as both an individual and part of the PCRC team.

As our programs grow and services reach more people, the need for more volunteers who are committed to our cause increases. We have ongoing and new volunteer opportunities available.

For more information, or to contact the volunteer coordinators, email volunteer@pottstowncluster.org. View all PCRC volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteer Coordinators

New PCRC Volunteer Coordinator team (l. to r.) Anissa Jones and Amanda Hoffman.

 

 

 

Word from PCRC’s Delegate Assembly

PCRC wants to thank the Delegate Assembly for its role in making this year’s Signature Page Showcase of Support initiative a success! We are grateful that so many have confirmed their  dedication to providing tangible services, support, and spiritual guidance to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

Because of the unwavering support we received, and the efforts of many Delegates, this community initiative has raised nearly $15,000 to support our work so we can continue to positively impact lives by providing food security, housing stability, supportive services and education.

The Signature Page Showcase of Support will be published in The Mercury in August.

Thank you Delegates for your continued hard work and support on behalf of PCRC’s mission!

 

Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →

Everything You Need to Know Happening at PCRC

New Volunteer Opportunity: Delivery Drivers Needed in a Digital Effort to Improve Food Pantry Access

Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity that allows you be a part of a hunger-fighting solution? We are in need of volunteer delivery drivers to deliver food to homes in a digital effort to improve food pantry access.

Visiting a food pantry can be a challenge. The limited hours, the stigma, the difficulty of finding transportation, and some people’s physical disabilities all can make visiting a daunting experience.

To improve food pantry service, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities has joined MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), Advanced Living Communities (parent company of Schwenckfeld Manor, a Lansdale housing site), and the HealthSpark Foundation to connect people to food pantries via the computer. This new hunger-fighting solution mimics online grocery ordering and provides people with the option to order pantry food from a website.

Can you help? We are looking for:

  • Delivery drivers who can be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Ability to report to PCRC at 9:30 am
  • Make 2-6 food deliveries to homes in the area
  • Must have reliable vehicle (using own vehicle)
  • Ability to lift 35 lbs (loading and unloading vehicles)

Separator-heart

Save the Date!

“Celebrate Service with Heart” is the theme of the upcoming You Gotta Have Heart fall FUNraising event.

SAVE THE DATE You Gotta Have Heart

You are invited to join us at our 8th annual fundraiser “You Gotta Have Heart” on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The SunnyBrook Ballroom.

“Celebrate Service” with us during an evening of fine food, awards, inspirational stories, entertainment, FUNraising, and more! All proceeds support PCRC’s mission.

To learn more, or to become a sponsor, please contact Merri Brown: call 610.970.5995 or email mbrown@pottstowncluster.org; or visit pottstowncluster.org/yougottahaveheart.

Share this:
Share
Continue Reading →