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Assistance programs Berks County Pennsylvania and Reading
Assistance programs Berks County Pennsylvania and Reading. Find assistance, and learn how to apply for financial help, in Berks County. The primary charities, churches, and government organizations (including DHS) are listed below. Find free food and emergency rent or security deposit assistance, homeless shelters in Reading, and one time utility bill help in the Reading area.
Locate financial help near you in Berks County below.
Free financial help, food, clothes and case management in Berk County
There is also assistance in the form of free community clinics, gasoline vouchers or a free car and employment services for those seeking new job skills. Children can also get free school supplies during the summer or winter Christmas toys. Or the elderly or disabled can find free Meals on Wheels programs.
A major focus of the Berks County agencies is on (1) homeless and (2) hunger prevention. To this end, there are free food pantries and lunch programs. Or low income families can receive help low income housing in the county, financial assistance or eviction or electric bill or foreclosure help from attorneys.
Stopping hunger and evictions as well as rehousing the homeless is also a focus in Reading Pennsylvania,. Free financial help, food, clothes and case management in Berk County: Several charities and non-profit organization in Berks County have partnered together to create assistance programs.
They provide resources to struggling families and find ways to support the local community. The organizations listed below also help people increase their household incomes, get short term help with bills, refer them to government programs, and to help people save more money and boost their personal assets.
Berks Encore. This organization is located at 40 N. 9th Street, Reading, PA. Call (610) 374-3195. Berks Encore will provide people in need of help with referral services and information.
There is free food assistance, recreational programs, education and advocacy to help older adults achieve a better quality of life. Financial as well as material assistance program services offered include Meals on Wheels, counseling on prescription drug and health insurance plans, assistance with income tax preparation.
Low-income families can also get assistance with applying for both Pennsylvania and federal government benefits. Boyertown Area Multi-Service Inc. This agency encourages the coordination of social services and programs for people of all ages in the greater Boyertown area.
They support a limited area, but Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Inc offers five different core programs. They include a free Emergency Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and there is guidance from The Center at Spring Street. There is also Energy Bill Case Management and Assistance with heating and utility bills.
Or get Volunteer Transportation to Medical Appointments. They are located at 200 West Spring Street, Boyertown, PA 19512 (610) 367-6957. Read more on Boyertown Area Multi-Service programs Catholic Charities provides emergency assistance.
Services include parish outreach and other community support services such as case management, housing and rent assistance. They help struggling families in Reading PA pay their electric and fuel bills too.
Or get emergency food aid and counseling services, debt assistance, and more to help individuals and families attain self-sufficiency. Learn more on rent assistance programs
Those are just a few of the resources offered. The non-profit Catholic Charities in Berks County also has services tailored for immigrants and seniors, including job training and information on medical care. While Catholic Charities is located in 234 Grace St, Reading, PA 1961. P(phone (610) 376-714) they have other locations in the region.
Continue with Lehigh and Reading area Catholic Charities
Salvation Army: Reading and Berks County Corps,
Free healthcare clinics in Berks County Pennsylvania
which is headquartered at 301 South 5th Street, Reading, PA 19602, and phone number is (610) 373-5208, is an international organization that is committed to helping people in need of crisis intervention.
In Reading, the Salvation Army organization provides assistance in paying everyday bills, help for meeting basic needs through energy bill or rent assistance, prescription medication, free food and clothing distribution.
They also arrange free gas cards or transportation for people with no money that need a job.
Call (610) 373-5208 for information on case management, social services, and other aid. Services offered can include holiday meals, a free food pantry, shelter and housing, and information on state government programs such as LIHEAP.
Utility assistance may be administered too. In addition, another service the Salvation Army offers is the Supportive Housing Program. It will help disabled and homeless families find permanent solutions to their homelessness.
The Salvation Army also offers disaster services. There are also volunteers and free item giveaways, such as free Christmas gifts from Angel Tree, back to school supply programs as well as Thanksgiving meals. Find details on
Salvation Army programs in Berks County Food assistance programs
- Berks County families, regardless of income, background, or religion, can stop by a food bank or pantry today for help. There are soup kitchens and pantries in the region for free food, groceries, meals, and more. Most of the centers can provide other services such as clothing, diapers, holiday gifts for children, and other social services.
The centers are a great place to turn to for some short term assistance. Many local families need to make the difficult decision every month of what bills and expenses to pay for. If you pick up some free food or groceries from one of these Reading area food banks, that allows families to free up money for other bills such as rent, medications, and energy expenses.
Find a listing of free food pantries in Berks County: Pennsylvania.
Greater Berks Food Bank -: Helping Harvest – Free food, meals, groceries, and perishable items are offered in the community. They help with applications to WIC baby formula as well as SNAP food stamps. Or get free pet food, ensure for the elderly and other benefit programs. Dial (610) 926-5802
Berks Community Action Program, Inc. (BCAP), located at 518 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19603 and can be reached at (610) 376-6571. The regional non-profit is another option. BCAP provides a comprehensive array of services designed to meet the needs of the low and moderate income population across Berks County.
Berks Community action agency is maybe the number one non-profit to call for assistance and case management. Some information on the resources they offer are below, however other programs are available as well. Housing assistance
can include funds to pay rent to help people avoid an eviction and homelessness. It will help people deal with challenging circumstances. Among other things, the applicant needs to prove the ability to pay their rent on a go forward basis. Any deposits or rent will be paid directly to your Berks County landlord.
There are other free referrals services offered too, including clients can get help finding low income housing units
Weatherization is offered for homes, including mobile units. It is federal government created and will help people save money by improving the energy efficiency of their home. It may also address minor repairs or safety issues. Weather stripping, furnace tune ups, and replacing or repairing doors is available in Pennsylvania.
Find details on
weatherization in Pennsylvania The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
) will help people prepare and file their state and federal income taxes for free. Staff from the community action agency who are IRS trained and certified will help clients. It is for the low income and seniors in Reading and other areas. The: Work Ready Program will help people prepare for and train for a new job or employment opportunity.
TANF clients can also participate. General case management sessions
are available in the region. Specialists will work with clients and help them identify skills and the areas in which they need additional support and training. The Work Ready program can also be used in an effort to provide clients with life skills and basic job-readiness training.
is offered from the Pennsylvania Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). It is a statewide program that can help people who have worked hard to purchase their homes.
Free foreclosure counseling, loan modifications and more may be provided. After a review, counselors may help borrowers apply for a low interest loan that can be used to pay their home mortgage.
Other low income assistance offered can include some or all of the following. This can include budgeting and financial tips to better manage your money, employment counseling, direct mortgage help and more.
Budgeting and counseling services is offered by the non-profit agency. It can help people start a business, purchase a car, reduce debts, and more. Also work with a counselor in order to help families and individuals budget their money to save for those goals.
Get help building and repairing credit as well, and sign up for debt counseling. Many services are offered for potential first time home buyers too. Click Pennsylvania credit counseling Assistance program services provided to people in need of help include
free budget counseling, credit card debt assistance, weatherization and housing or rent assistance . There is also youth mentoring, family development, and case management. A major focus of BCAP is on improving overall money management,
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