Assistance from Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach.
Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach provides assistance to vulnerable, struggling people in Chester County. The support is offered in ways such as providing free clothing, household goods, food and even grants or loans for the payment of utilities and housing. The non-profit PCCO works with several local county and state agencies to offer clients these basic needs required for daily living.
The charity is comprised of dozens of Parkesburg area churches and they all have access to multi-tier social assistance programs. PCCO can give support, such as information or referrals, for in-need families to these vital services to help them improve their lives. Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach was created in an effort to answer many of the requests received by each individual member churches.
The Righteous Clothing thrift store, which is based at 322 Main Street, is operated by volunteers from the non-profit Parkesburg United Methodist Church. What the location may have is shoes, gently used clothing, winter coats for children, and smaller household items, all of which are sold at reduced prices at the shop.
All the donated clothing is screened by volunteers, but it will be gently used. Effort is made to ensure it’s clean and is in good shape. The small household appliances must be in good working condition as well. The clothing shop requests that donations such as clothing and appliances are not dirty, ripped or non-functioning as they will be discarded.
The PCCO Octorara Area Food Cupboard provides free groceries and food items. This center is located at 714 Main Street. The Octorara pantry is always in need of donations and volunteers from the community to keep it operating as well. The food cupboard welcomes old and new clients and maintains strict confidentiality guidelines.
When the need for emergency food arises from low income Chester County families, PCCO covers for the OAFC pantry when it is closed. In addition, a Community Garden was planted by the churches, OAFC and the Chester County Food Bank. What this will do is ensure that free and fresh produce available to its clients.
Furniture, including beds, small appliances, cribs, and more is available at a church ministry. The center is operated by the Parkesburg Churches and it takes donated used furniture and appliances such as tables, washers, dryers, beds etc. and redistributes them to in-need individuals and families. Again, only items in good condition are passed out to the less fortunate.
Donations are needed at all times, whether it is for food, clothing or furniture. Any broken, damaged or ripped goods will not be accepted by The Furniture Ministry. All contributions to their programs must be scheduled in advance and PCCO will determine eligibility of the items.
For eligible clients, the local churches may have money (or referrals to programs) to help with housing and/or utility bills, and this can include rent or security deposits as well. These needs are assessed by volunteers at PCCO who work with clients in a confidential manner to locate county and state programs that may be available to them.
For the teenagers and other youth in the community who come from low-income families as well as the working poor, the PCCO has a partnership with the Parkesburg Point, a Christian youth center on Main Street. This development and mentoring program focuses on the emotional, physical, spiritual and academic needs of the young people in the community.
There are many groups that contribute to this service. Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach consists of the following churches and more. Some of them are Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Friendship United Methodist, Bethany African Methodist Episcopal, Cochranville United Methodist, Faith Community United Methodist, First Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of Consolation (with St Malachy), Mt Zion African Methodist Episcopal, and Parkesburg Baptist. For more information on the services administered, call 610-568-5835.
|
