Friend, Inc. Community Services

About Us

Friend, Inc. Community Services is a social support organization that, for over 40 years, works tirelessly to reduce food insecurity and other household economic pressures on families throughout rural northeast Berks County. We accomplish this through several self-select food pantries including a university student pantry, direct economic assistance to area households, state aid application assistance, referrals to mission aligned agencies, and tight collaboration with area school districts.

People in rural communities face exactly the same issues as people living in urban and suburban areas; hunger, housing, illness, poverty, domestic safety, and access to mental health support. Due to the nature of being ‘rural’, however, these challenges are often less noticeable than they are in denser populations. It’s hard to see. But every day we see it.

Our Impact
Over 420,000 pounds of food was placed during this past year on the kitchen tables of the families we serve. Every month over 800 individuals (and their pets!) benefit from our self-select food pantry, as do another 700 university students through our campus pantry. 110 additional people receive support from the Alburtis Mobile Market. Each year, over 700 individuals are impacted through direct and referral support for things such as utilities, housing, SNAP and medical assistance. In fact, for over 40 years, Friend, Inc. has been at the very forefront in delivering food and social support services throughout northeastern Berks County.