New Food Pantry Opens at Beacon House

From Opportunity House

Photo courtesy of iMattSmart on Unsplash

Opportunity House proudly announces the opening of the Beacon House Food Pantry, a new community resource dedicated to providing nutritious food to individuals and families in need. Located at Beacon House, 821 Schuylkill Ave., Reading, the pantry offers essential food assistance to anyone experiencing food insecurity.

The Beacon House Food Pantry will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those in need are encouraged to visit during these hours.

“The Beacon House Food Pantry is an important step in expanding our services to ensure that individuals and families in our community have access to fresh, healthy food,” said Alyssa Bushkie, Chief Operating Officer of Opportunity House. “We are grateful for the continued partnership with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, whose generous support enables us to provide high-quality food to those in need.”

Much of the food distributed at the Beacon House Food Pantry is sourced from Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a vital community partner of Opportunity House since 1984. As part of this long-standing collaboration, Opportunity House also operates a food pantry at its main campus, located at 430 N. 2nd St., and uses food provided by Helping Harvest to prepare meals and snacks for clients residing in its emergency shelter.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program operates following guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Eligibility is determined based on household size and annual income.

The Beacon House Food Pantry also addresses a critical need in the area: the lack of access to full-service grocery stores. This absence creates a food desert—a challenge for many residents in securing fresh, affordable, and nutritious food. In neighborhoods throughout the city, particularly in low-income and underserved areas, residents are often forced to rely on costly corner stores with limited healthy options. Transportation barriers, mobility issues, and limited financial resources further prevent individuals and families from accessing the quality food they need.

Opportunity House welcomes donations and volunteers to support the Beacon House Food Pantry. To donate, please visit opphouse.org. To volunteer, contact Stacy Perlaki at [email protected] or call 610-374-4696 ext. 231. Your support helps Opportunity House continue its mission of empowering individuals to improve their lives.

For more information about receiving food assistance, please contact Kim Long, Director of Case Management, at [email protected] or call 610-374-4696 ext. 238.