Directory - Life Assistance

*** Food banks and free meal information is located at the bottom of this page

Organization: American Red Cross
Address: 701 Centre Ave. Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-375-4383
E-mail: berksco@crossnet.org
URL: berks.redcross.org
Mission statement: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Operation Share: assistance with UGI/ gas payments. EFSP funds available and assistance with rent.

Organization: AVG
URL: free.avg.com
Mission statement: Free computer virus protection

Organization: Banking Complaints
Phone #: 1-800-722-2657
Mission statement: Pennsylvania Department of Commerce in Harrisburg.

Organization: Barta
Address: 1700 North 11th Street Reading, PA 19604
Phone #: 610-921-2361
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.bartabus.com
Mission statement: BARTA is the local transportation authority for Berks County. BARTA provides fixed route bus service as well as door-to-door specialized transportation for individuals who are unable to use the fixed route service.

Organization: BARTA Bike N' Ride Program
Address: 1700 North 11th Street Reading, PA 19604
Phone #: 610-921-0601
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.bartabus.com
Mission statement: BARTA has now included bike racks on some of their buses so you can take your bike along free of charge.

Organization: Berks Community Action Program (BCAP)
Address: P.O. Box 22, Reading, PA 19603
Phone #: 610-376-6571
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwberks/org/217993.html
Mission statement: BCAP is a private non-profit whose mission is to develop programs that assist low-income residents of Berks County.

Organization: Berks County Assistance Office
Address: 400 Washington St. Suite 100 Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-376-7144
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.co.berks.pa.us/berks/cwp/view.asp?a=1164&q=442613
Mission statement: Emergency food, formula, and immigration. Counseling services available. Emergency assistance; energy and fuel assistance; information, and referrals.

Organization: Catholic Charities
Address: 66 Canal Center Plaza Suite 600 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone #: 703-549-1390
Contact person:
E-mail: info@catholiccharitiesusa.org
URL: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1407
Mission statement: The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

Organization: Catholic Social Agency
Address: 625 Cherry Street Reading, PA 19602
Phone #: 610-736-4211
Contact person: Cathleen Hulver
E-mail:
URL:
Mission statement: Limited financial, medical, and food assistance.

Organization: Circle of Friends
Address: 227 North 5th Street Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-478-1984
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL:
Mission statement: Circle of Friends is committed to responding to consumers concerns and individuals needs.

Program: Family Savings Account Program BCAP
Address: YMCA 3rd flr. 631 Washington Street Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-376-6571
Contact person: Jodi Readinger
E-mail: jreadinger@bcapberks.org
URL: https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwberks/org/217993.html
Mission statement: This is a 13-36 month savings plan that can match your savings up to $2000. This program helps you learn how to keep more money and save for the future. It is a way to make the dreams a reality for low-income families

Organization: Freecycle: Reading
E-mail: readingfreecycle@gmail.com
URL: groups.yahoo.com/group/ReadingFreecycle/
Mission statement: We are a community bulletin board where nothing is for sale - everything is given away free with no strings attached. Our overall goal is to help two types of people find each other: type 1 has an item and does not want it anymore, but thinks it has some useful life yet and does not want to see it end up in a landfill, and type 2 is a person who would love to have that item.

Organization: Friend, Inc.
Address: 658 Noble St., Kutztown, PA 19530
Phone #: 610-683-7790
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL:
Mission statement: Friend, Inc. provides emergency assistance to individuals and families of Northeastern Berks County.

Organization: Kars-4-Kids
Address: Kars-4-Kids, 1805 Swarthmore Ave. Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone #: 1-877-kars-4-kids
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.kars4kids.org
Mission statement: Donate your car to benefit Joy for Our Youth. J.O.Y. is a 501(c)(3) charity organization providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of distressed and at-risk Jewish youth.

Organization: Kiddie Menu
URL: www.kiddiemenu.com
Mission statement: Find restaurants where kids eat for free by zip code.

Organization: Life Unchained
Address:
Phone #:
Contact person:
E-mail: dave@lifeunchained.org
URL: lifeunchainedreading.ning.com
Mission statement: Life Unchained is a non-profit organization helps individuals looking to develop life-changing endeavors in their parts of the world.

Organization: Marriage and Family Builders
Address: 519 Elm St. Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-288-0961
Contact person: Sandi Kissinger
E-mail: sandiprprdgbrkscc@comcast.net
Mission statement: To educate individuals/couples on the skills and techniques of how to have healthier relationships together. Families create healthy communities.

Organization: MidPenn Legal Services
Address: 501 Washington Street Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-376-8656 ext. 3204
Contact person: Benjamin Hooper
E-mail: bhooper@midpenn.org
URL: www.midpenn.org
Mission statement: Legal aid provided to low income people facing civil legal problems. We also represent victims of domestic violence regardless of income. Clients also include the elderly and disabled. Our goal is to provide decent housing, an income source, access to health care, and a sense of personal security for clients.

Organization: National Society for Shut-ins
Address: 344 Pine Street Reading, PA 19602
Phone #: 610-373-2966
E-mail:
URL:
Contact person: Italia Pariseau
Mission statement: Assistance for those persons who are unable to physically get out in the community for one reason or another.

Organization: Opportunity House
Address: 430 N. 2nd Street Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-374-4696
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.opphouse.org
Mission statement: Opportunity House is a multi-service organization that improves the quality of life for children, families and adults who face various obstacles to independence, and supports their efforts to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and well-being.

Organization: PA Lawyer Referral
Address: PA Bar Center Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone #: 1-800-692-7375
Mission statement: Help finding legal representation

Organization: PennDOT Driver's License Center
Address: 530 E. Lancaster Avenue. Route 222 Shillington, PA 19607 Shillington Shopping Center, next to Gov. Mifflin High School
Phone #: 610-775-4003
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.dmv.state.pa.us
Mission statement:

Organization: Pennsylvania Homeless Shelters
Address:
Phone:
Contact Person:
E-mail:
URL: www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/pennsylvania.html
Mission Statement: Complete list of Pennsylvania Shelters. Many are emergency shelters and are good contacts for situations such as hurricanes in Pennsylvania. With the recent increase of Foreclosures in Pennsylvania, many of these shelters now have waiting lists. Please call before going to them. Many waiting lists are very long.

Organization: Pennsylvania Lawyer
Address: P.O. Box 186 Harrisburg, PA 17201
Phone #: 717-238-6715
Mission statement: Help finding legal representation

Organization: Reading Citizens Service Center
Address:
Phone #: 1-877-727-3234
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL: www.readingpa.gov
Mission Statement: For questions concerning a tax bill, recycling/trash bill, or water. Information on starting a business in the city. Report streetlight or traffic light outage. Report unsafe conditions, code problems, illegal dumping, or graffiti.

Organization: Reading Emergency Shelter
Address: 430 North 2nd St., Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-374-4696
Contact person:
E-mail:
URL:
Mission statement: Provides emergency housing for men, women and children.

Organization: Salvation Army
Address: 310 South 5th Street Reading, PA 19602
Phone #: 610-373-5208
E-mail:
URL: www1.salvationarmy.org
Mission statement: Assistance with UGI/gas payments, electric payments, rent, and water payments. Provides emergency assistance to individuals and families including, but not limited to, housing, prescriptions, utilities, furniture, food, clothing, etc.

Organization: Social Security Office
Address: 201 Penn St. suite 200 Reading, PA 19603
Phone #: 610-320-5106 or 1-800-772-1213
E-mail:
URL: ssa.gov
Mission statement: The Social Security Administration's mission is to advance the economic security of the nation’s people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs. Retirement and disability benefits.

Program: Stay Warm in PA
Phone #: 1-866-550-4355
URL: www.staywarmpa.com
Mission statement: We want Pennsylvanians to stay warm this winter and we are working to make sure that those who are most vulnerable and need our help have the resources they need to cope with the cold months and days ahead.

Organization: Taxpayer Assistance (PA taxes only)
Address: 625 Cherry Street Reading, PA 19602
Phone #: 610-378-4401

Organization: Team Children
Address: 960 W. Rittenhouse Road Audubon, PA 19403
Phone #: 610-666-1795
Contact person: Robert Toporek
E-mail: TeamChildren@aol.com
URL: www.TeamChildren.com
Mission statement: To help economically challenged families; schools and organizations receive low cost refurbished computers.

Organization: Volunteer Home Care
Address: Topton, PA 19562
Phone #: 610-682-1412 or 800-322-9597
Contact person: The Lutheran Home
E-mail:
URL: www.diakon.org/Topton
Mission statement: Volunteer Home Care is volunteers from your community who will assist families with transportation, companionship, clerical needs, letter writing, child care, meal preparation, minor repairs, or a chore. Volunteers come from local churches working in conjunction with the Lutheran Home at Topton.

Organization: United Way of Berks County
Address: 501 Washington Street Reading, PA 19603
Phone #: 610-685-4562
Contact person:
E-mail: tammyw@uwberks.org
URL: www.uwberks.org
Mission statement: Developing Strong Neighborhoods and Communities; Building Self Sufficiency; Nurturing Children and Strengthening Families; Promoting Health and Wellness; Caring For People In Crisis

Program: Weatherization BCAP
Address: 247 North 5th Street Reading, PA 19603
Phone #: 610-375-9770
Mission statement: We employ private contractors who install energy saving devices in low-income homes.

Food Assistance

1-800-FOOD-997

FOOD BANKS

Organization: Greater Berks Food Bank
Address: 1011 Tuckerton Court Reading, PA 19605
Phone #: 610-926-5802
Contact person: Peg Bianca
Mission statement: For information on soup kitchen schedules, food pantries, and kids cafe's
Free meals
Soup Kitchens: Offer free prepared meals for you to eat there.

Location: Central Park United Methodist
Address: 138 S. 6th St. Reading, PA
Phone #: 610-375-2662
Times of service: M-F 11:30am-12:30pm

Location: Kennedy House
Address: 532 Spruce St., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-378-1947
Times of service: Sat & Sun 11:30am-12:30pm

Location: Spring Valley Church of God
Address: 2727 Old Pricetown Rd. Temple, PA
Phone #: 610-929-7976
Times of service: Sunday 1pm


*** Food Pantries: Offers free food for pick up during a designated time period.

Location: Boyertown Area Multi Service
Address: 301 W. Spring St. Boyertown, PA 19512
Phone #: 610-367-6957
Times of service: Weekday mornings by appointment only

Location: Birdsboro Senior Center
Address: 500 E. 1st St. Birdsboro, PA
Phone #: 610-582-1603
Times of service: 2nd Wed 12:30-2:30pm

Location: Central Park United Methodist
Address: 138 S. 6th St. Reading, PA
Phone #: 610-375-2662
Times of service: Wed 10am to 1pm

Location: Fairview Mennonite Church
Address: 545 S. 16th St. Reading, PA
Phone #: 610-372-8826
Times of service: Emergency

Location: Grace Hope & Mission
Address: 117 N. 9th St. Reading, PA
Phone #: 610-372-9353
Times of service: Emergencies, by appointment only.

Location: Kennedy House
Address: 532 Spruce St. Reading, PA
Phone #: 610-378-1947
Times of service: Wed 9:30am to 11am

Location: Kennedy Towers Senior Center
Address: 300 S. 4th St., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-378-1034
1st Wed 10:30-11:30am

Organization: MALI Food Pantry/Free Food
Address: 201 Schuylkill Ave., Reading, PA 19601
Phone #: 610-375-2316
Contact person:
E-mail: mali.learning.center@verizon.net
Times of service: Every 2nd Saturday of the month at 1:30pm

Location: Mifflin Senior Center
Address: 30 Liberty St., Shillington PA
Phone #: 610-777-5577
Times of service: 4th Mon 11:30-1:30pm

Location: North 8th Street Church of God
Address: North 8th St, Reading PA
Phone #: 610-373-1909
Times of service: 1st Sat 12-2pm

Location: Rural Opportunities, Inc.
Address: 22 N. 9th St., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-376-6319
Times of service: Weekdays 9am-4pm

Location: Salvation Army
Address: 5th & Spruce, Reading PA
Phone #: 610-373-5208
Times of service: 4th Wed in the evening

Location: South of Penn 55+ Club
Address: 416 S. 7th St., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-372-7488
Times of service: 1st and 3rd Wed 8:30am-1:30pm

Location: Spring Valley Church of God
Address: 2727 Old Pricetown Rd., Temple PA
Phone #: 610-929-7969
Times of service: 3rd Wed 7-8pm/ Sat following 3rd Wed 8-10am

Location: St. Ignatius Loyola Church
Address: 2810 St. Albans Dr., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-678-3767
Times of service: 4th Thurs 3-4pm, by appointment only

Location: St. James Chapel
Address: 15 S.9th St., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-375-7537
Times of service: 4th Wed 10am-12pm

Location: T.L.C. /In His Name Ministry
Address: 705 Friedensburg Rd., Reading PA
Phone #: 610-799-4866
Times of service: 1st * 3rd Thurs 6-8pm, by appointment only