Posts filed under: In the News

POTTSTOWN, PA, March 15, 2023 – The board of directors appointed Jacqui Good, former director of development and communications, as the executive director of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. Good follows long-time executive director, Barbara Wilhelmy, under whose leadership the Cluster experienced significant growth. “We are sad to see Barbara go, but wish her well in retirement,” said Roberta Body, board president. “We are fortunate to be able to have a seamless transition with Jacqui, who is well-poised to face the challenges for the next phase of the Cluster.”

Good is a Pennsylvania native who has worked with nonprofits since 1992, in Philadelphia, Berks, and Montgomery Counties. Her career has included fundraising, project management, communication, and operations. Since coming to the Cluster in 2020, she has doubled revenue from non-government grants and gifts. She has also been a champion for the Cluster’s work in diversity and inclusion. “It is my strong belief that if I am effective in recognizing and supporting our dedicated staff, they will be able to do their best possible work for our clients and our community,” Good said. “Together we will work to see what needs remain unmet to help our neighbors move beyond crisis and into self-sufficiency.”

She has a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Good currently lives in Lancaster County with her spouse and animal family in the 1932 home that was built for her grandmother. She is the primary caregiver for her 90-year-old father, who lives close by. She spends her commute devouring audiobooks.

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. In 2014, the Cluster began offering services to house the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless in Montgomery County. Education and support programs have been added to help clients transition to self-sufficiency. In 2022, the Cluster served 4,452 households from our food pantry and reviewed 2,979 requests for help to prevent eviction. Our housing team works with over 400 landlords to establish stable tenants, making the Cluster an important link in the long-term success of affordable housing property owners. If you have any questions about programs or offering support, you can reach Jacqui Good at info@pottstowncluster.org. She welcomes your feedback.

 

Shareable PDF Press Release Here

Jacqui Good, executive director of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities.

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Join us online at here: pottstowncluster.org/virtualevent2022 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 for our biggest annual fundraising event! Everyone is invited to tune into this free annual event, which will include opportunities to financially support our mission of providing food security, housing stability, and supportive services and education in our community as well as a behind the scenes look at the impact your support is having on our work and in the lives of those we serve.

We will be premiering our 25-minute video on our website at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022. You can join us online, and we will have several watch parties in the greater Pottstown area for people to watch together in small groups. If you would like to attend out watch party located at our Outreach Center at 57 N. Franklin Street in Pottstown, please RSVP to Anissa at ajones@pottstowncluster.org. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

All donations support us in the Amazing Raise giving challenge!

2022 Virtual Event Watch Party

A great way to help us spread the word about our work is to consider hosting a watch party during our virtual event!

We will be premiering our 25-minute video on our website at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022. You can join us online, and we will have several watch parties in the greater Pottstown area for people to watch together in small groups.

Would you like to host a watch party?

We will provide individually-packed appetizers for you and your guests so you only have to provide beverages and decide who to invite. If you want to host one, or if you would like to join one, please reach-out to Jacqui Good at 610-970-5995 or jgood@pottstowncluster.org.

What is a Watch Party?
A watch party is a small gathering of people. Prior to the 7 p.m. start time of our virtual event, we invite you to gather with friends, family or colleagues to watch the event together! You can either setup your TV to stream the virtual event or you can connect your laptop to your TV.

Why Host a Watch Party?
A watch party is a great opportunity to share your passion for the Pottstown Cluster! As a group, you can make a positive difference in the lives of your neighbors in need. 

Don’t forget about the “PARTY” part of a WATCH PARTY!
Here’s your chance to have some fun and get creative!  You can select a theme, offer fun appetizers, and even play games!

Join our community of support by clicking on “PLAY” on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Until then, please take a look at our 2021 video below. Thank you for being part of our community. We are grateful for you.

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Holiday Food

2021 Holiday Food and Toy Program

Welcome to our annual Holiday Program. This year, our goal is to provide holiday food boxes for families and toys for up to 250 children; aged 16 and under.

 

For Our Families:

Deadline to Register is November 19, 2021

This year, we are serving families and children who live in the 19464 zip code area. We are asking anyone interested in receiving a holiday food box or toys to please sign up online below. Also, instead of offering in-person toy selection and shopping at our Outreach Center, we will be pre-packaging the toy bags based on your toy selection on the registration form. After you register, we will contact you to schedule a date and time to pick up your food and/or toys at the Outreach Center located at 57 N. Franklin Street in Pottstown.

If you have questions, please contact Anissa at ajones@pottstowncluster.org or call 610-970-5995 to receive more information.

Sign Up!

For Our Donors:

Are you interested in donating toys and/or food items to support our 2021 Holiday Food and Toy program?

To donate food items, please review our needed food item list and contact Anissa at ajones@pottstowncluster.org or call 610-970-5995 to sign up as a food donor.

Holiday Food Items:

green beans (400)
sweet potatoes (200)
mashed potatoes (200)
corn (200)
gravy (400)
cranberry sauce (400)
macaroni and cheese (200)
stuffing (200)

To donate age appropriate toys for children 16 and younger or gift cards for our older children, please contact Anissa at ajones@pottstowncluster.org or call 610-970-5995 to sign up as a toy donor.

All food and toys donations will need to be delivered to the Pottstown Cluster Outreach Center the week of December 17. 

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Join us online for a virtual celebration on Thursday, October 7 from  7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Event Link:
pottstowncluster.org/virtualevent2021

Due to the pandemic, the Pottstown Cluster has made the decision to move our biggest annual fundraising event online. Everyone is invited to tune into this free annual event, which will include a opportunities to financially support our mission of providing food security and housing stability in our community as well as a behind the scenes look at the impact your support is having on our work and in the lives of those we serve.

 

A great way to help us spread the word about our work is to consider hosting a watch party!

What is a Watch Party?
A watch party is a small gathering of people either at your home or via Zoom. Prior to the 7 p.m. start time of our virtual event, we invite you to gather with friends, family or colleagues to watch the event together! You can either setup your TV to stream the virtual event or you can connect your laptop to your TV.

Why Host a Watch Party?
A watch party is a great opportunity to share your passion for the Pottstown Cluster! As a group, you can make a positive difference in the lives of your neighbors in need. 

Don’t forget about the “PARTY” part of a WATCH PARTY!
Here’s your chance to have some fun and get creative!  You can select a theme, offer fun appetizers, and even play games!

 

DONATE

Your valuable support makes a difference in contributing to the general operating expenses of the Pottstown Cluster. Your donation will help assure the fundraising success of this annual event that supports our services throughout the year, and will be especially important with the absence of ticket sales.

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Our staff, board, volunteers, and community are getting ready to come together on Wednesday, July 14 for an outdoor Red, White, and Blue Anniversary Ice Cream Social! All are welcome to join us to celebrate ten years at our Outreach Center with a treat on Wednesday, July 14 from 2 PM to 5 PM.

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The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities participates in the Community Connection Project (CCP) as a Community Service Partner to Pottstown Hospital – Tower Health. The CCP is an Accountable Health Communities Model funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The project works to screen Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries’ and connect individuals to local resources, such as the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities for any food related needs.

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4.5M with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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On Friday, February 26, 2021,  the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities celebrated Victoria Bumstead’s retirement from the Pottstown Cluster. Vicki has been a Pottstown Cluster employee since October 2010. She served initially as the Clothes Closet and Volunteer Coordinator and eventually took over the role of Outreach Center Director, managing the Food Services Programs. Under her leadership, the food service programs have grown and the Pottstown Cluster’s presence as a collaborative food provider in the region has been increasingly known. During her tenure, the Pottstown Cluster became the first ReDistribution Organization in Montgomery County; she converted the pantry’s database to SmartChoice, resulting in establishing an online inventory system for food services and an online ordering system for client food access; and has developed a food delivery system, offering better service to those requiring food assistance. Her commitment to the Pottstown Cluster and the food system in the region has been tremendous and will be greatly missed. All of us at the Pottstown Cluster are excited for her retirement and the next chapter of her story. 
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