Cluster Chronicles July 2019 – Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities

Cluster Chronicles

July 2019 Issue

PCRC Addresses Summer Hunger for Local Kids in Need

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC), as a Philabundance community partner, will be addressing summer hunger needs in the Greater Pottstown area by distributing approximately 180 free, nutritious, and ready-to-eat meals for kids under 18 who have lost access to school breakfast and lunch over summer vacation.

“During the summer months, we serve families with kids who wonder whether they will have enough to eat. These kids visit our Outreach Center and receive a ready-to-eat meal that day. Summer should be a time for fun and growth, not hunger,” said Victoria Bumstead, PCRC Outreach Center Director.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Feature Story: PCRC Addresses Summer Hunger for Local Kids in Need
A Message from the Executive Director
Profile: Volunteer Projects of Erik and Andrew Moyer: Inspired by their Beloved Grandmother’s PCRC Service Legacy
PCRC Staff Highlight: PCRC Staff Commits to the Community Meals Program
Event Recap: First Annual “Wine” NOT Event Great Success
PCRC Received a Grant Award from the TD Charitable Foundation to Stabilize Vulnerable Families
PCRC’s UP3 Program Graduates Its Newest Class
2018 Signature Page Showcase of Support
Special Release: 2018 Annual Report of Gratitude
Around PCRC: News and Announcements
Events, Happenings, and Opportunities

From the Executive Director

Greetings Friends,

It’s the good old summertime — and there is plenty of heat, humidity, fireworks, barbecues, and what many people look forward to most: school and family vacation. But here at the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC), we don’t take a break from our mission to provide tangible services, support, and spiritual guidance to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

In this issue of Cluster Chronicles, you will read about our continued collaboration with Philabundance, addressing summer hunger needs weekly to kids who rely on school meals as a steady source of food when school is in session; be introduced to two brothers who chose PCRC as their Senior Project, continuing a family tradition; meet our newest Volunteer Coordinators; and PCRC staff’s new hands-on commitment to our Community Meals program at Christ Episcopal; program updates and wrap-ups of recent fundraising efforts and events; as well as exciting upcoming events and opportunities.

I hope you will find ways to continue to be engaged with our work and be excited to hear about the difference your support is making for those we serve. Please keep our work in your prayers and share your interest in our organization with a friend. Together, we are helping to nourish lives and strengthen families in this community, and for that I am truly grateful.

Sincerely,

Barbara Wilhelmy, LCSW
Executive Director

P.S. I encourage you to look through the enewsletter and let us know what you think in the Comments Section as well as share the newsletter with your friends and family and invite them to subscribe! (Social sharing options at the bottom)

High School Senior Projects of Erik and Andrew Moyer: Inspired by their Beloved Grandmother’s PCRC Service Legacy

On a school holiday back in sixth grade, brothers (twins) Erik and Andrew Moyer remember staying with their grandmother, Linda Moyer, for the day. Little did they know that what they witnessed their grandmother do that day over five years ago would lead them to senior projects at the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) the summer of 2019. For a time, Linda Moyer, who passed away last February, (see a tribute to Linda here) was in charge of collecting food at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Pottstown, and transporting it to PCRC.

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PCRC Staff Commits to Organizing a Community Meal

In an effort to get involved more diversely and directly with those PCRC serves in the community, the staff of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) have been organizing, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the Community Meal lunch at Christ Episcopal Church in Pottstown since the first Monday in June. Barbara Wilhelmy, PCRC Executive Director noted, “It is it is fun to be out in the community witnessing the work we do from a different angel, and to share some of the work with community partners.” All staff members share in the tasks as a team, from planning the meal, to executing all that is needed to make everything run smoothly.

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First Annual “Wine” NOT Event Great Success

On May 9, women came out in large numbers to Help Women at a fun wine-tasting gathering at the Stone Barn Cellars Winery. It was an evening of fine wine, fellowship, and fundraising as guests enjoyed wine tastings, dinner, and prizes.

Because of the women who joined us in our mission and supported the event, we were able to surpass our fundraising goal to provide local under-resourced women with food security, housing stability, and supportive services and education. We are already looking forward to the second annual Women Helping Women event in May 2020. “Wine” not join us next year?

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PCRC Received a Grant from the TD Charitable Foundation

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. This is a new partner for PCRC. The grant supported the Eviction Prevention and Intervention Coalition (EPIC) pilot project designed to stabilize vulnerable families and individuals who are facing eviction by providing them with legal and social services support. The project served 81 households within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area during the one-year grant period. A Housing Stability Plan and a budget was created for each eligible participating household.

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PCRC’s UP3 Program Graduates Its Newest Class

On June 12, PCRC celebrated five empowered UP3 (Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere) graduates during a graduation ceremony and celebration at the Hill School Center for the Arts. The UP3 graduates successfully completed a 16-week UP3 program dedicated to getting out of poverty, building social connections, and goal planning. We are proud to announce that our graduates are now on a path to creating a brighter financial future for themselves.

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2019 Signature Page Showcase of Support

Thank you to all who showcased their support for our mission and shared your commitment to positively impacting the lives of our neighbors in need with their recent donation to our ninth annual Signature Page Showcase of Support initiative.

Because of the unwavering support we received, this community initiative has raised nearly $15,000 to support our work so we can continue to positively impact lives by providing food security, housing stability, supportive services and education. Look for your signature in The Mercury this August!

SAVE THE DATE!

“Celebrate Service with Heart” is the theme of the upcoming You Gotta Have Heart fall FUNraising event.

You are invited to join us at our 8th annual fundraiser “You Gotta Have Heart” on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The SunnyBrook Ballroom.

“Celebrate Service” with us during an evening of fine food, awards, inspirational stories,
entertainment, FUNraising, and more! All proceeds support PCRC’s mission.

To learn more, please contact
Merri Brown: call 610.970.5995 or email mbrown@pottstowncluster.org

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GRATITUDE.

It is defined as “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” At the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC), it is with a deep and abiding sense of gratitude we present this 2018 Annual Report of Gratitude and list of supporters as a public acknowledgment of your kindness, and in appreciation for your continued support for the work we do together to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and families in our region.

You have blessed PCRC with your gifts of time, talent, and treasure, helping us help your neighbor. For that we are eternally GRATEFUL.

READ THE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT OF GRATITUDE HERE.

Around PCRC

Get the latest updates here!

Pantry Particulars: Bring the Basics to Support Our Personal Care Pantry
Volunteer Voices: What’s New?
Word from the Delegate Assembly:
- Signature Page – Thank you!
- Delegate meeting Dates and Locations

SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING

Events, Happenings, Opportunities

Everything you need to know happening at PCRC!

Save the Date! You Gotta Have Heart Annual Fall Fundraising Event: Thursday, September 26
New UP3 Community Cohort Workshop
New Volunteer Opportunity: Delivery Drivers Needed in a Digital Effort to Improve Food Pantry Access

GET INVOLVED NOW

Community Challenge Donation Drive

Are you up for a challenge? Bring the Basics this Month!

Bring the Basics to our personal care pantry to help local friends and neighbors in need! We will announce a new item and goal every month. Each month, you can help us reach our goal by simply delivering donated items to our personal care pantry.

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