Community & Government Announcements
Virtual Jobseeker Workshop Offerings for June
The Chester County office of PA CareerLink and the United Way Financial Stability Center announce the June schedule of virtual workshops for jobseekers.
June Food Pantry & Meal Locations in Phoenixville
The Phoenixville Food Insecurity Team has released the following list of food pantry and meal locations in Phoenixville for the month of June:
COVID-19 Community Resource Guide
The Chester County Department of Human Services has created a comprehensive guide to connect Chester County residents to available resources and contacts during the COVID-19 outbreak. The document is updated regularly. Find it here:
https://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/54524/DHS-COVID-Community-Resource-Guide
PACS Community Food “Drive” May 30th
Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) will be hosting a no-contact Community Food “Drive” Saturday, May 30th, 12-3 p.m.
Simply drive up to the PACS loading zone at 257 Church Street at the corner of Gay Street in Phoenixville with your nonperishable donations in the trunk or back of your car. Our staff and volunteers will unload the donations following social distancing guidelines.
Please no foods past the expiration date or previously opened. This is a rain or shine event.
Visit www.pacsphx.org for a list of urgently needed items.
Contact melissa.threadgill@pacsphx.org if you have any questions.
See this flyer for more info: food_drive_flyer 2020
Home Grocery Delivery to Be Available in June for SNAP Recipients
Earlier this week, Pennsylvania received approval from Food and Nutrition Service to join the pilot program that lets SNAP recipients purchase groceries online through participating retailers.
Now that approval has been received, DHS is working with its EBT vendor and approved retailers to implement system changes necessary to implement online payment for PA’s SNAP recipients. These system changes will take approximately two weeks to complete the testing and validation. Implementation could not begin without FNS’ approval. Now that approval has been received, OHS expects to have online grocery purchasing activated for SNAP recipients by the beginning of June. Once active, only eligible food items normally paid for by SNAP will be able to be purchased online with SNAP benefits. Delivery fees, driver tips, and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. Due to the expedited timeframe to implement this initiative does not include the ability to transact Cash Assistance benefits using the EBT card. Therefore, individuals will need to use another method of payment to cover the non-allowable fees such as a pre-paid debit card.
The pilot program currently includes three approved retailers: Amazon, Walmart, and ShopRite. Retailers that are interested in participating must contact FNS to review the requirements to be added to the program. And, just as a reminder, retailers that do not wish to join the pilot program can still offer delivery or pick-up flexibility options for SNAP recipients by using mobile EBT processing equipment that would allow customers to pay with SNAP when groceries are delivered or picked up. Farmers markets may be able to receive this processing equipment at no cost through a grant opportunity provided by DI-IS.
Deborah Steeves, Esquire
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
(610)436-4510
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Available
Pennsylvania is offering additional financial support to residents who have used up all their unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to qualified individuals whose regular unemployment benefits have expired or will expire soon. Learn more and apply at https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/Filing-for-PEUC.aspx.
Emergency Assistance Program for Low-Income Families
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced an Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) for qualifying families who are experiencing financial challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read about it from the website of State Senator Vincent Hughes.
Help for Homeowners and Renters during the Pandemic
If you are concerned about how to pay your mortgage or rent because of the coronavirus national emergency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers this page of advice and resources.
Library Polling Location Changed to Civic Center for June 2 Primary Election
Due to the Library’s current closure, the polling location for the June 2 primary election has been changed. Those who normally vote at the Library should vote instead at the Phoenixville Civic Center, 123 Main St., Phoenixville.
May Food Pantry & Meal Locations in Phoenixville
The Phoenixville Food Insecurity Team has released the following list of food pantry and meal locations in Phoenixville for the month of May: