Posts filed under: In the News

This Women’s History Month we are working to support and uplift women in need in our community. To learn more and support visit: pottstowncluster.org/2024women.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Each week, we are celebrating and honoring some of the MANY female visionaries and wonder women in food security and housing stability that we have the honor of working with and for.

We are thankful for the amazing women we interact with every day – from our board members, employees, volunteers, supporters to the women we serve. We are also blessed with so many inspirational females at the Pottstown Cluster who inspire everyone in different ways. Join us in celebrating some of them during Women’s History Month!

Meet Jessica

Meet Jessica Devine, Development Associate and Diversity Advocate at the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. Jessica constantly challenges us to be our best at inclusion and ensures our board and staff reflect the community we serve. You can meet Jessica in our video that premiered at our annual event in October. pottstowncluster.org/2023annualevent.

The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

The Pottstown Cluster embraces everyone and excludes no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity. We are committed to inclusion an equity within our organization, community, and in our approaches to ending food insecurity and housing instability.

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January is Poverty Awareness Month, a month-long initiative to raise awareness and call attention to the growth of poverty in America. The United States is considered the richest country in the world, yet 37.9 million of its residents live in poverty. Over 12.5 million of these people are children.  Poverty is a complex societal issue, but access to food and shelter should not be.

Learn more about our food security pantry services here: FOOD SECURITY/Pantry, our community meals here: FOOD SECURITY/Community Meals, and our housing stability services here: HOUSING STABILITY.

To give visit: pottstowncluster.org/donate

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  PDF. Press Release HERE
Dec. 15, 2023

 

The Pottstown Cluster Receives Grant to Enhance Services Locally

Pottstown, PA – The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, which offers basic need and self-sufficiency programs centered around food security, housing stability, and supportive services to improve people’s stability in the greater Pottstown area was recently awarded a significant grant by Norfolk Southern Corporation.

“We are thrilled to accept this grant from Norfolk Southern and grateful for the generous support because of our work with the unhoused and those at risk of being homeless,” said Jacqui Good, Executive Director of the Pottstown Cluster.

The grant is part of Norfolk Southern’s commitment to playing an active role in helping the communities it serves thrive. In November, the railroad recently awarded nearly $600,000 to a host of organizations across its 22-state network, that provide support and services to individuals dealing with homelessness.

“We believe in the power of community and understand the profound impact homelessness has on individuals and families,” said Kristin Wong, Director Corporate Giving at Norfolk Southern. “Norfolk Southern is focused on addressing this issue by supporting organizations across our 22-state network that provide shelter and critical services to the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

About the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities was founded in 1967 by a coalition of churches wanting to address hunger and now operates as an independent nonprofit. Today, the Pottstown Cluster provides food security, housing stability, and supportive services to address basic needs as well as improve overall stability of persons within and beyond the greater Pottstown area. In 2022, the Cluster served 4,452 households from their food pantry and reviewed 2,979 requests for help to prevent eviction. The housing team works with over 400 landlords to establish stable tenants, making the Pottstown Cluster an important link in the long-term success of affordable housing property owners. The Pottstown Cluster is the only food redistribution organization (RDO) in Montgomery County, distributing more than 570,000 pounds of food to more than 2,800 households annually. For more information, visit pottstowncluster.org.

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting NorfolkSouthern.com.

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2023 Fall Happy Hour FUNraiser 


*Images courtesy of Victoria Heffline-Ritter (follow or contact on Instagram @urbanity_chic)

On October 5, 2023, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities and Pottstown area community gathered at the Rivet Canteen and Assembly  for food, friends, and fun. Guests enjoyed a “taste of our town” during an evening of food from a variety of our favorite local restaurants under one roof along with local seasonal beer and wine tastings, DJ entertainment, gift baskets, and prizes. 

Food and Drinks from:  

  • Corropolese | Italian Bakery & Deli
  • Valentino’s
  • Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches
  • Railroad Street Bar and Grill
  • El Limon Taqueria
  • Giovanni’s 724
  • Better on the Bone
  • JJ Ratigan Brewing
  • Stony Run Winery: Awarded Best Wine in the State —Philadelphia Sommelier Challenge 2021
  • Charlotte Street Coffee
  • And more! 

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities works to transform lives by offering basic need and self-sufficiency programs centered around food security, housing stability, and supportive services to improve people’s socio-economic stability in the greater Pottstown area. Proceeds from the event supported the mission of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities and their work with local individuals and families in need of food security, housing stability, and supportive services. Services help neighbors in need transition beyond crisis and towards stability and self-sufficiency. 

Annual Event Video 

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PDF. Version Here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2023  

 

POTTSTOWN CLUSTER OUTREACH CENTER CLOSES FOR EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE
Intentional vandalism causes a disruption in food services.

Pottstown, PA– Intentional vandalism of the Pottstown Cluster Outreach Center resulted in an infestation on Tuesday morning, August 15. The Pottstown Cluster immediately closed the Outreach Center for emergency facility maintenance, suspended food services, contacted the police, and consulted with several remediation providers.

The Pottstown Cluster food service programs are committed to safe and quality food procurement, storage, and distribution. The most effective and environmentally conscientious organization has been selected to provide emergency remediation services. Fumigation will take place on Thursday and Friday August 24 and 25.

“Safety is our top priority. The scheduled remediation presents no risk to our neighbors or the environment, though as a precaution, no one will be allowed on the property while these experts do their important work. Please know, we have notified the Health Department, the Borough, our neighbors, and our community partners,” said Jacqui Good, PCRC Executive Director.

In spite of these challenges, the Pottstown Cluster remains committed to food security and the community. Through their Supportive Services Center at Wainman House, they have been offering pantry patrons one-time special assistance through their Emergency Special Assistance Program and disbursing school backpacks.

Updates and reopening information will be available at pottstowncluster.org. Service recipients with questions can contact a temporary emergency number between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.: 267-649-2010.  Questions about this temporary disruption of operations, can be directed to Jacqui Good, Executive Director at 484-925-1660.

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities was founded in 1967 by a coalition of churches wanting to address hunger and now operates as an independent nonprofit. Today, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities provides Food Security, Housing Stability, and Supportive Services and Education to address basic needs as well as improve overall stability of persons within and beyond the greater Pottstown area. In 2022, the Cluster served 4,452 households from their food pantry and reviewed 2,979 requests for help to prevent eviction. The housing team works with over 400 landlords to establish stable tenants, making the Pottstown Cluster an important link in the long-term success of affordable housing property owners. The Pottstown Cluster is the only food redistribution organization (RDO) in Montgomery County, distributing more than 570,000 pounds of food to more than 2,800 households annually. For more information, visit pottstowncluster.org.

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UPDATED LOCATION! Meet us on the front porch of 61 North Franklin Street (right next door to our Outreach Center) to pick up a bookbag this Friday, August 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Bookbags available beginning August 18 and until supplies last. Days and hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

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To better serve our community, we have enhanced our food services by adding Wednesday evening hours. For more information about planning your visit and receiving food, please visit: pottstowncluster.org/foodpantry.

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Join us for one of our monthly CareerLink events. This Thursday, July 13 all are welcome to attend for employment resources and career support! Register today for your PA CareerLink Montgomery County appointment at the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities.

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Thanks to support from people like you, we are able to move individuals and families beyond crisis and toward stability. We invite you to join us in our mission by showcasing your support. Make a contribution of any amount and your name will be featured on the Beyond Crisis Page of Support on our website this summer. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to ending hunger and housing instability in our community and promoting self-sufficiency. Will you join us?

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