Helping Vulnerable Populations Meet Basic Needs

When basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter are not in place, the consequences may be severe. This is why part of United Way of Berks County’s mission is to ensure that the basic necessities of life are available for those in need.

Whether someone is a victim of a disaster or other type of personal crisis, the existence of supportive services helps people’s basic needs to be met. Through United Way partnerships and funded programs, these services provide a crucial safety net for vulnerable populations to quickly access help and receive the support they need to have a better quality of life, both now and in the future.

Community Outcomes and Partner Agency Programs

Following is a list of community-level outcomes that have been established for the focus area of Safety Net Services, and a list of partner agency programs receiving funding to address each particular outcome. For a full description of these agency programs and contact information, click here.

BASIC NEEDS

Outcome: Disaster victims and people in crisis throughout Berks County, have their basic needs quickly met 

Outcome: People who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis have their emergency housing needs met

Outcome: Families and military personnel who are separated in time of war have access to communication and other support services

Outcome: Victims of interpersonal violence are ensured of safety and supportive services

Outcome: People are easily able to locate accurate information and appropriate and available health and human services

Outcome: Individuals are able to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate health and human services

Special Funded Programs

Greater Berks Food Bank

There is an increased need for food among members of the Berks County community with the downturn in national and local economic conditions. Many of these people are families who find themselves in need for the first time in their lives.

Due to this growing need for food, beginning in Fall 2009, United Way of Berks County is providing special annual funding of $60,000 to the Greater Berks Food Bank to address current and future food needs throughout our local area.

An additional component of this partnership between United Way and the Greater Berks Food Bank was our participation in the 2009 Hunger in America Study. This was a national project through Feeding America, where surveys were conducted with agencies who distribute food, and with clients accessing food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. United Way trained approximately 100 volunteers who conducted interviews with clients at food distribution sites across the area to gain a better understanding of the lives of people who are in need of food.

Results from this study were released in early 2010. Some highlights from the research include:

• About one in ten people in Berks County seek help with food assistance at least once a year
• 36% of the household members served by the Greater Berks Food bank are children under 18 years old
• 43% of households who visit food pantries have at least one employed adult

To learn other highlights of the research findings, read the Hunger in America 2010 summary report.

The results of this study are helping us in planning future responses to address food insecurity in Berks County.