About Us

Our Vision

Our vision is a community free from hunger, and food insecurity, in which everyone has access to the good quality, nutritious food they need for their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Our Mission

The West Chester Food Cupboard commits to provide a variety of healthy food items to people in need in our community. “…because no one should go hungry!

  • West Chester School Area District residents who meet state eligibility requirements can shop once a month in the Food Cupboard, selecting the foods they need and prefer. These include dairy, meats, fresh produce, personal care and household items, and a wide variety of shelf stable items. 
  • The Express Pantry is open three times a week to anyone living in and around West Chester who need food. People may come as often as they want and there are no eligibility requirements.  Basic food items and extras are available.
  • Partnerships are established with local West Chester community agencies and organizations to enhance their food initiatives on a regular basis and raise awareness of the services provided by the WCFC, the focus being largely on the nutritional needs of children and students.

Our Story

The West Chester Food Cupboard was born in 2009 when the old food cupboard, run for many years by Chester County Cares, closed. Dismayed volunteers banded together and decided to step up to the challenge and run a new food cupboard themselves and so the adventure began. In 2012 they had been sufficiently successful to form their own non-profit 501©(3) organization.

Our Original Gay Street Location

The number of volunteers increased as did donations as the community responded generously to the needs of low-income West Chester residents, who were struggling to feed themselves and their families.

In the summer of 2017, having definitely outgrown our old premises on E. Gay Street, the volunteers decided to move. We were lucky enough to find 431 S. Bolmar Street – a great location with twice the space, and a wonderfully welcoming place for people to shop. Since then, in response to increasing community needs, we have further expanded into 429 South Bolmar Street, which now houses a large warehouse and the Express Pantry.

The Cupboard is still 100% volunteer run with no paid staff. Currently there is an 10-person Board of Directors, a Lead Volunteer Team of twenty five, and over 200 volunteers, who willingly carry out a myriad of tasks.

The mission of the Cupboard has stayed the same, providing a variety of fresh and nonperishable food to West Chester residents in need and can be summed up by the slogan on everyone’s t-shirts:

…because no one should go hungry!”

Learn More

FAQ: Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
What People Are Saying: Click here to see what people are saying about us.

Board of Directors

President Rob Necarsulmer
Vice President Joe Fratinardo
Treasurer Mark McGirney
Secretary John Bailey
Fiona Allison
Adean Bridges
Matrie Johnson
Robert Kane
Timmy Nelson
Guillermina Rios

Founding President
Edward Breiner

Legal

The West Chester Food Cupboard is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, donations to which may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The official registration and financial information of the West Chester Food Cupboard may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

IRS Form 990–2020
PA Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Registration
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Photo Credits
Home page banner: strawberries, cabbage, carrots, apples, corn, potatoes – Pixabay.com
Ways to Help page: money – Pixabay.com