Serving You

Community Resource Guide for PA-06

The organizations listed below provide non-federal assistance or services to constituents residing in the PA-06 congressional district. In accordance with U.S. House of Representatives guidance, only organizations that qualify under section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code are included on this list.

This guide provides information on key resources available to residents of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District (PA-06), focusing on groceries and essentials, energy assistance, family care, healthcare, and housing. The goal is to connect community members with services and organizations that support well-being and daily needs.

Energy Assistance

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program):

LIHEAP Home Page

Phone: 1-866-857-7095

Helps low-income families pay heating bills

Family Care

Berks Community Action Program

645 Penn Street, 3rd floor
Reading, PA 19601

610-376-6571

About Us – Berks Community Action Program

Provides parenting and fatherhood courses and resources

Maternal and Child Health Consortium – West Chester

1475 Phoenixville Pike

Suite 12

West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610-344-5370

Maternal and Child Health Consortium |

mchc@ccmchc.org

MCHC works with parents and offers many services from pregnancy through kindergarten, making sure children get a healthy start and families have what they need to thrive.

Food, Groceries and Essentials

Berks Encore

40 North 9^th Street

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: 610- 374-3195

www.berksencore.org

Provides senior services including Meals on Wheels and boxed food delivery

Chester County Food Bank

650 Pennsylvania Drive

Exton, PA 19341

Phone: 610-873-6000

Home - Chester County Food Bank

Provides food boxes, fresh produce, and pantry staples to residents in need. Locations throughout Chester County.

Chester County Meals on Wheels

No central office address

Contact via phone or click on the website

Phone: 610- 430-8500

https://mowcc.org/

To provide nutritious meals and personal interaction to homebound adults to help them live independently in their own homes.

Helping Harvest

117 Morgan Drive

Reading, PA 19608

Phone: 610-926-5802

Helping Harvest

Helping Harvest collects, purchases, stores, and distributes over nine million pounds of food annually to the more than 350 programs which feed the hungry in Berks county.

Kennett Square Community

136 West Cedar Street

Kennett Square, PA 19348

Phone: 610-925-3556

KACS Kennett Area Community Service

The KACS Food Cupboard is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Oxford Neighborhood Services Center (ONS)

35 North Third Street Oxford,

Oxford, PA 19636

610-932-8557

https://oxfordnsc.org/

Provides assistance and community resources for: emergency financial assistance, food support, crisis counseling and trauma-informed care, family case management and resource navigation, domestic violence support and safety planning and advocacy and long-term stabilization services

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):

Apply for benefits to buy groceries. COMPASS Homepage - COMPASS Homepage Landing [HPDFT]

Phone:1-800-692-7462.

Apply for benefits to buy groceries

Healthcare

Berks Community Health Center

838 Penn Street

Reading. PA 19602

Phone: 610 988-4838.

Locations - Berks Community Health Center

Comprehensive healthcare services, including medical, dental, and behavioral health, for Berks County residents.

Community Volunteers in Medicine: 1 main site and 2 satellite health centers

300 B Lawrence Dr,

West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610-836-5990

Home - Community Volunteers in Medicine

Free medical and dental care for uninsured residents in Chester County. There is a satellite clinic that operates in Coatesville on Tuesdays and in West Grove for maternity services on Fridays.

La Communidad Hispana (The Spanish Community)

731 West Cypress Street

Kennett Square, PA 19348

Phone: 610-644-7550

About us - LCH Health & Community Services

Services Kennett Square and the surrounding area. Spanish speaking staff available.

Phoenixville Clinic

143 Church Street,

Phoenixville, PA 19460

Phone: 610-935-5464

info@phoenixvillefreeclinic.org

Phoenixville Clinic provides quality healthcare to the uninsured and underserved with dignity and respect.

Community Volunteers in Medicine: 1 main site and 2 satellite health centers

300 B Lawrence Dr,

West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610-836-5990

Home - Community Volunteers in Medicine

Free medical and dental care for uninsured residents in Chester County. There is a satellite clinic that operates in Coatesville on Tuesdays and in West Grove for maternity services on Fridays.

Pennie: Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace

Phone: 1-844-844-8040

Home | Pennie - PA’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace

Pennie is the official online marketplace made possible by the State of Pennsylvania and the top private insurance companies to provide affordable, high quality health insurance plans to Pennsylvanians.

Housing

Berks County Housing Authority

1803 Bulter Lane

Reading, PA 19606

Phone: 610-370 0822

Berks County Housing Authority - Assisted Housing

Berks County Housing Authority: Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and housing counseling.

Berks Coalition to End Homelessness

600 Penn St,

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: 610-372-7222

Berks Coalition to End Homelessness

Oversees The Continuum of Care in Berks County to coordinate community-based processes relating to the experience of homelessness and works to build a system of housing and services to address the needs of those at-risk of/currently experiencing homelessness.

Chester County Department of Community Development

County of Chester

313 Market Street

West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-344-6000

https://www.chesco.org/204/CommunityDevelopment

Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) equitably advances housing affordability solutions, provide homeless outreach services, and invest in neighborhood revitalization as stewards of public funding.

Family Promise of Berks County

325 North Fifth Street

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: 610-373-3323

https://familypromiseofberks.org/

Family Promise supports families in Berks County facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Housing Authority of Chester County

30 West Barnard Street, Suite 2

West Chester, PA 19382

Phone: 610-436-9200

HACC – Affordable Housing for Everyone

An organization that manages and develops affordable housing for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization.

Safe Berks

255 Chestnut Street
Reading, PA 19602
Phone: 610-373-1206
About Us - Safe Berks | domestic violence and sexual assault support services

Safe Berks provides a safe haven and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, advocacy, and a relentless commitment to prevent abuse.

Additional Support

PA 2-1-1: For comprehensive assistance with any essential need, dial 2-1-1

PA 211 - Get Connected. Get Help.

Connects with resources in your Pennsylvania community, PA 211 is a great place to start.

What Happens During a Government Shutdown?

Please note: The information below is based on previous government shutdowns. Unfortunately, this Administration has fired or reassigned large numbers of federal workers and has not been transparent with the public about the impacts of a shutdown this time. The only thing we know for sure at the moment is that the Administration is planning to use the shutdown as an opportunity to fire more people. These things combined make it difficult to predict exactly how this shutdown will unfold or affect communities across the country. We will keep this page on our website updated as new details emerge.

Will I continue to receive Social Security?

Social Security checks are expected to continue. However, new applications, benefit verifications and appeals may be delayed significantly because of reduced staffing. Click here to go to the Social Security website.

What about Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid benefits should continue. But reaching staff at these agencies may be harder, as many workers are furloughed or their offices understaffed. Click here for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.

Will SNAP or WIC be affected?

SNAP benefits should continue. WIC and other nutrition programs may only operate at the state and local levels. Availability may vary by location. Click here for the USDA Food and Nutrition website.

What about military personnel and veterans?

Our service members will continue serving, but they may not receive pay until the shutdown ends. VA health care and benefits have generally continued during past shutdowns, but given recent cuts and turmoil in the agencies, there is uncertainty this time. Click here for the Veterans Affairs website.

Is the Postal Service still running?

Yes. the US Postal Services operations are expected to continue, and mail will still be delivered. Click here for the USPS website.

What about travel?

TSA officers and air traffic controllers are deemed essential workers, but they will be working without pay, which may lead to call-outs, longer lines and potential delays. Click here for the Transporation Safety Administration.

Can I still tour Washington, D.C.?

No. Tours of the U.S. Capitol and other federal buildings will be suspended, as visitor services are considered non-essential. Tours of the White House have already been suspended to accommodate the construction of a ballroom.

What about passports and visas?

These are primarily fee-funded services and should continue, but processing could slow if staffing shortages persist. Click here for the State Department website.

What about student loans and grants?

Pell Grants and federal student loans are expected to continue for a limited time, but delays in servicing and disbursement are possible. If the shutdown is prolonged, schools may feel funding shortages. Click here for the Department of Education website.

What about immigration services?

Visa and passport operations are generally fee-funded and should continue. Immigration courts may operate on a limited basis, with detainee cases prioritized. However, given the Administration’s inconsistent handling of immigration policy, outcomes may vary.

Are National Parks open?

Parks may remain open, but visitor centers, bathrooms, campsites, and trash collection may be closed. Staffing and safety services have already been curtailed because of previous funding cuts earlier this year, so expect more of the same. Exercise caution if visiting. Click here for the National Park Service website.

What if I need help with a federal agency?

Many federal help desks will be unresponsive during the shutdown. My office can assist with cases already opened, but again, we will have to wait for responses from federal agencies. We will track your request and follow up as soon as agencies resume operations.

What happens to federal employees?

Many federal employees will be furloughed without pay, while others deemed “essential” will work without pay until funding is restored. We simply do not know how the Trump Administration will manage this shutdown. My staff and I will continue working without pay throughout the shutdown and are available to assist you when and where we can.

Additional Resources

Based on past shutdowns, we can expect that some federal agencies will post notices on their websites explaining how the shutdown affects their services. However, because many staff are furloughed, these websites may not be updated regularly, and the information may quickly become outdated. I shared a lot of websites above that may be useful and will keep my own website updated to the extent possible.

Here are a few more sites you might want to visit for updates:

Call Us

My offices in D.C., West Chester, and Reading will be open to help you. You can call us with questions or concerns at the phone numbers below. Because of the shutdown, we are forced to furlough our interns so if you cannot reach us directly, please leave a message and we will return your call!

Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-4315
West Chester: (610) 883-5050
Reading: (610) 295-0815