Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
FEBRUARY 1, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 52
The Brain Behind Chester County News And Information BY FRANCINE FULTON
If something is happening in Chester County, Becky Brain, the public information officer, knows about it. And it is her responsibility to share it with the news media and the public, along with a host of other responsibilities. Brain recently shared information about what her job entails with the Community Courier.
The all-volunteer staff of the Coventry Food Pantry includes (from left) Rick Ash, Ginny Wade and Brian Wade.
Coventry Food Pantry Serves OJR Families At New Location BY FRANCINE FULTON
he Coventry Food Pantry can trace its roots back to 1972, when the agency was formed to assist victims of Hurricane Agnes. Today, the all-volunteer-run organization continues to supply food and household goods to families and individuals in need who reside in the Owen J. Roberts (OJR) School District. And, after being housed in the basement of the North Coventry Township Municipal Building, the pantry has relocated to 692 W. Schuylkill Road (Route 724), Unit 1, Pottstown. The pantry, which was housed in a 900-square-foot space, opened at the new location in June 2022, a former retail store measuring 2,500 square feet, nearly three times the size of the former site.
“We are really relying on the community for food and monetary donations.” The pantry holds its monthly food distribution on the first Tuesday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Those who register as clients and meet certain income requirements receive a wagon full of supplies,
Becky Brain
which includes peanut butter, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soup and instant mashed potatoes, along with fresh eggs and milk and cleaning and paper products. Fresh produce is provided by the Chester County Food Bank. Due to the pandemic, the pantry started a drive-up distribution, which it still maintains. “They meet Brian in the back parking lot and fill out the paperwork, and they pull around and we talk to them briefly,” Ginny explained. “They don’t even have to get out of their cars.” About 55 to 65 families are served per month, which represents 200 to 250 individuals. In addition to its regular distribution, the pantry offers a weekend backpack program. “The guidance counselors find kids who are struggling, and we supply them with a
“It will be as much of a blessing to the people packing as the people who will receive the food,” said organizer Diane Shumaker when describing a meal packing event that will take place at Forks of the Brandywine Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m.
See Coventry Food Pantry pg 3
See Meal Packing pg 4
Community Invited To Join Meal Packing Event BY FRANCINE FULTON
See Becky Brain pg 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Community Calendar . . . .2 Middle-Schoolers Invited To Take Part In Civics Bee . . .3 HCVHA To Offer Homemade Lasagna, Fastnachts . . . . .5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .6 House Of Worship . . . . . . .8
scan this code for more local news
R091510
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER FEB. 1, 2023
Postal Patron
MCC
T
“We had to transport food, our freezers, refrigerators and all the shelving,” said food pantry director Ginny Wade, noting the move took about a month to complete. The work was carried out by volunteers, including Rick Ash and Brian Wade, pantry managers.
C o m m u n i t y C o u r i e r : What are some of your job duties? Brain: Those familiar with “government” titles might know that the public information office is really the communications office. So, as public information officer for Chester County government, I oversee all communications and media-related matters, including the county’s website, social media pages and the county’s weekly newsletter. I write - a lot whether it’s press releases, newsletter stories, proclamations, letters of commendation and citations or information for the county commissioners’ speaking engagements. C o m m u n i t y C o u r i e r : What is a typical day like? Brain: On a typical day, I - along with my team - answer questions from reporters or set up interviews with the commissioners and county personnel. I write press releases, arrange press conferences and special events, prepare proclamations and citations and prepare presentations for the commissioners’ public meetings. I also respond to questions asked by county residents via email or phone calls.