History & Current Information

The Beth Tulphehocken Food Pantry has been serving members of the community since Janaury 1994.  Fern Phillipy served as Director of the pantry for 12 years and then in 2006 passed the baton to Connie Bashore, who currently continues in that position. 

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The Food Pantry is held at Salem Lutheran Church in Bethel and is open the third Friday of every month from 3 - 5:30 pm.  Most of the food is purchased from Helping Harvest, (formerly Greater Berks Food Bank) in Reading.  A food order is placed and then delivered the afternoon of pantry day.  The food is then sorted, packed, and distributed to the participant's car by local, dedicated volunteers.  

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Participants must register by filling out a "self-declaration of need" form from the state of PA and meet the income guidelines listed on that form to qualify to receive food.  They are then issued a "ticket" good for one year, which they need to show each month.  Emergency food will be given any time during the month by calling Little Swatara Church of the Brethren.

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The pantry is blessed as a recipient of lots of merchandise from Dollar General to share with the participants, everything from soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent to toilet paper.

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The Bethel-Tulpehocken Food Pantry is funded solely through local donations and by a fundraiser, 
"The Country Faire" held in August.  Thanks to donations from local businesses, families, churches, civic organizations, etc., the Pantry is able to help supply food to the community.