The West Chester Food Cupboard

At our large facility, which looks like a grocery store, clients shop twice monthly for fresh and nonperishable goods such as dairy, meats, and a range of shelf-stable products.

West Chester Food Cupboard also operates an express pantry to supplement the monthly shopping needs of families in West Chester and its environs. Families can select culturally friendly, nutritious food products that meet their requirements.

What We Do

Food cupboards are invaluable resources in our community, providing targeted assistance for needy residents. I find great satisfaction in witnessing clients’ expressions of thanks when wheeling their replete grocery carts out to their cars after they visit this highly efficient and caring community organization, where I’m so honored to play such an integral role.

The Food Cupboard provides families in need with access to dairy, meat, fresh produce, nonperishable items, and shelf-stable goods at or below 185% poverty levels – including single-parent families, people living with disabilities, and seniors. Many clients are employed but struggle to meet costs with limited income.

Every client is treated with dignity and respect, providing them with an experience similar to shopping at their favorite supermarket, with aisles they can browse freely to select what they need for themselves. Clients are open to recipe suggestions and taking home fresh produce they might otherwise not afford.

Create change by organizing an in-person or virtual food or fund drive with your business, school, organization, or neighborhood. Or make an impactful donation – either in cash form or through matching gifts! For more ways you can help, please visit our Donate page.

Our Vision

West Chester Food Cupboard’s mission is to provide families in need with fresh and nonperishable healthy food items at no cost, meeting state eligibility requirements. Shoppers who meet this threshold are welcome to visit twice monthly in a safe environment where they can find fresh produce, meats, dairy products, and pantry staples at competitive prices.

Clients include single-parent families, those living with disabilities, and elderly residents living below the poverty level as well as full-time employees working low-wage jobs. We operate as a community-wide 501(c)3 non-profit run entirely by volunteers with an affordable operating budget.

At Food Pantry Network of Greater Los Angeles (Pan) Inc., our mission is to be an outstanding example of an efficient, focused, caring, and compassionate community organization, making an immediate difference in people’s lives who require assistance with food assistance. Clients consistently express profound thanks for receiving high-quality meals served by friendly volunteers and appreciation for receiving high-quality service at an affordable cost.

West Chester Food Cupboard partners with local community groups and organizations to reach its goal of eliminating hunger in its entirety. We work with schools, Salvation Army units, ACT in Faith Ministries, Melton Center, and YWCA programs, and weekly trips to West Grove’s Mighty Writers program, where food and personal care items are delivered directly.

Our Mission

After West Chester Food Cupboard closed in 2009, our all-volunteer organization has since grown to serve 2,000 families every month with fresh and nonperishable healthy food items such as dairy products, meats, fresh produce, and nonperishable items – with each client receiving two weeks worth of groceries every month in store-like settings where they are treated with dignity.

Every client expresses deep gratitude for the excellent groceries provided and often states they would not make it without our assistance. They appreciate having access to a clean, bright, and friendly facility when shopping.

The Food Cupboard provides nutritious food to West Chester School District residents who need to meet basic needs to lead healthier lives.

The WCFC collaborates with local agencies and organizations such as the Salvation Army, Melton Center, ACT in Faith, Chester County Cares, and YMCA, among others, to assist people who may not only require food assistance but could benefit from other household items or personal care items. Working closely with food suppliers ensures clients can access an excellent selection of foods; additionally, it partners with Chester County Public Schools to offer bags of snacks to children living in poverty in Chester County schools.

Our Volunteers

WCFC volunteers are genuinely committed to their cause, working tirelessly to ensure needy families receive a cart full of groceries. From stocking shelves in the warehouse to helping at food distribution events, each volunteer contributes their share in making this organization thrive!

Witnessing how much clients appreciate their experience at WCFC is genuinely unique! Everyone works together towards fulfilling its mission, which makes an enormous difference to people’s lives, thanks to lead volunteers, office staff, drivers, and all those who dedicate their time and energy to this organization.

WCFC operates various outreach programs in addition to weekly distributions, such as its partnership with Mighty Writers El Futura – a non-profit group offering academic support in West Grove – where together they supply students with much-needed groceries so that they may stay focused during classes and have enough energy for everyday living.

Feeding Westchester’s Food is Medicine program is another partnership WCFC has with Feeding Westchester that offers fresh produce to patients of Open Door Family Medical Center who need it the most. Utilizing ProducePedia – an online resource covering various vegetables and fruits – volunteers educate patients about its nutritional benefits before providing it.