West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Dec. 20, 2024
Written by Cara Corridoni

The West Chester Food Cupboard has become such an integral part of the West Chester community it is hard to believe that 15 years ago it didn’t even exist. Today this organization made up of 300 volunteers and thousands of community donations is basically running a full-service grocery store with reliable access to pantry staples plus eggs, milk, meat, fish, and fresh produce. There are pre-made meals, a grab-and-go section, and even some personal care items to tide over those in need.

In addition to monthly shopping that offers qualifying neighbors full access to all items, in 2022, the WCFC introduced a new express option. The Express Pantry offers a no-questions-asked opportunity for residents to pick up basics between large grocery runs. WCFC volunteer and board vice president Joe Fratinardo puts it this way, if monthly shopping is Giant, the Express Pantry is Wawa. The group has rounded out these in-person options with a robust network of community partnerships – think the YMCA, the West Chester Senior Center, or the West Chester Area School District – which help bring the food to where the people are. All combined, should you need it, food is available to you in some way, shape, or form, six days a week – and probably seven if you really look.

“In the last two years, we tested this three-pronged model and we feel like it has maximized access and we want to sustain that,” says Joe.

While the operation is impressive, is all this really necessary? We’ve all seen the statistics. We live in the wealthiest county in PA by a relatively comfortable margin. Yes, it is and you know why? Because we live in the wealthiest county in PA by a relatively comfortable margin.

To qualify for monthly shopping, a family of four must earn less than $58,000 a year. While that’s 46 percent higher than the federal poverty level, it’s a tall ask when you consider local housing prices. The WCFC estimates housing costs alone will easily eat up $30,000 of that budget. So, for the most part, Joe says the organization serves the “working poor” or those whose incomes don’t quite cover the cost of living. As one neighbor shared, “Because of the food I get here, I can afford to keep my car. Because I have my car, I can go to work. Because I can keep my job, I can pay my rent.”

“If you need me three times, fine. If you need me six times, fine,” says Joe. “We want that door to be open for anyone who needs it.”

And need they do. Last year WCFC served 6,000 people and distributed 1.8 million lbs of food, an increase of 32 percent over the prior year. This year they are on pace to serve over 7000 people and two million lbs of food. When they moved to Bolmar St in 2017, they expected the space to last them a good 20 years. It lasted six. In 2023, they doubled their footprint, and while the volunteers already have all 12,000 sq ft filled and running like a well-oiled machine none of it would be possible without community support.

As Joe puts it, “We provide the labor. The community provides the funds.”
Last year the WCFC received 1.2 million lbs of donated food and another $1.5 million in cash donations and other income (think grants, and business and nonprofit donations.) – the majority of which, nearly 60 percent, comes from individual donors. The cash is used to supplement food donations. Last year the food cupboard purchased $1 million in eggs, dairy, meat, fish, fresh produce, missing non-perishables, and personal care items. Robust cash donations go a long way to helping the WCFC keep all shelves stocked.

“Cash donations are the most efficient,” says Joe because not only do they help the group fill inventory gaps, but WCFC can use its purchasing power to get a better price than the one afforded you or me. That said, it all has a purpose. “Every can of soup counts. Every dollar counts,” says Joe.

If you can make a donation – big or small – please consider it.