Chester County Church Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to pay rent, your mortgage, or for food, or if you are facing debt or potential eviction, there are numerous religious organizations, interfaith coalitions, and church-supported charities offering emergency aid—including food, financial assistance, and help meeting basic needs—throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Churches in Chester County provide emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and food, as well as shelter, through programs such as Christ Community Church’s Compassion Fund, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and local community outreach ministries. The fastest way to access this help is to call Chester County’s 2-1-1 service for coordinated referrals and then supplement that support with direct assistance from churches.

ACTnow (formerly ACT in Faith)

ACTnow (formerly known as ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential “gap services”—services that fill unmet needs—to stabilize households and foster self-sufficiency. By addressing issues that pose immediate barriers to household stability, the organization assists families who may not qualify for traditional public assistance programs or other social services.

Core Assistance Programs

ACTnow operates through three main service areas, in addition to offering support in navigating existing assistance systems:

Housing Stabilization: Financial aid from the Client Emergency Fund is used to prevent evictions and utility shut-offs, as well as to cover fuel costs, security deposits, and expenses for storing belongings.

Employment Support: Funds cover critical work-related barriers, including local transportation costs, state ID fees, mobile phone access, job search and resume-building tools, educational costs, and pre-employment childcare expenses.

Basic Needs and Community Cupboard: The organization operates a client-choice pantry offering perishable and non-perishable foods, heat-and-eat meals, personal care items, and household cleaning products not covered by SNAP benefits.

Eligibility and Service Limits

Food and Personal Care: The Community Cupboard is open to any resident of Chester County.

Financial Assistance: The Client Emergency Fund is reserved strictly for West Chester residents and unhoused individuals within specific local zip codes (primarily 19380 and 19382).

Required Documentation: Applicants for financial assistance must provide proof of their crisis situation, such as an official eviction notice or a utility shut-off warning letter. Location and Hours

Address: 10 West Barnard Street, West Chester, PA 19382

Hours of Operation:

Monday and Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Friday through Sunday: Closed

St. Agnes Day Room / Dorothy Day Society

The St. Agnes Day Room and the Dorothy Day Society operate as the primary social outreach ministries of Saint Agnes Catholic Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Established in 1992, these programs provide a safe, welcoming daytime environment and assistance with critical basic needs for low-income individuals, families, and the homeless throughout Chester County.

Core Assistance Programs & Services

Daily Meal Program: Offers a light breakfast (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.) and a hot, nutritious lunch (11:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday.

Dorothy Day Society: A specialized ministry staffed by local volunteer cooks who prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals directly to guests in the church’s “Dorothy Day” room. To access the daily hot meal program, a quick in-person registration is required to obtain a Dorothy Day membership card.

Food Pantry: Provides weekly emergency food, non-perishable items, and supplemental food boxes to families facing hunger.

“Healthy Baby” Program: Distributes essential baby items—including diapers, formula, and baby food—for infants and toddlers up to three years of age.

St. Agnes Parish Nursing Center: Offers basic medical care, primary care services, prescription assistance, health education, and wellness checks, specifically for low-income and uninsured residents.

Other Basic Needs: Offers seasonal clothing for men, women, and children; school supplies; holiday food distribution; job search assistance; and bilingual liaison services.

Eligibility Requirements and Documentation

Open Access: There are no strict geographic restrictions for basic day shelter, daily hot meals, or the food pantry; services are open to anyone in Chester County who expresses a need.

Medical Services: The Nursing Center requires individuals to be completely uninsured to receive medical check-ups or prescription assistance.

Location and Contact Information

Address: 233 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380

General Day Room Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Food Pantry Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Christ Community Church Compassion Fund

The Christ Community Church Compassion Fund is a crisis-assistance ministry that provides emergency financial aid to eligible individuals and families throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania. Funded entirely by charitable donations from the congregation, the program serves as a temporary financial safety net to help households cope with unexpected crises, sudden loss of income, or medical emergencies.

Core Services & Financial Assistance

The Compassion Fund offers exclusively one-time emergency financial assistance to help resolve urgent, short-term hardships. Decisions regarding financial aid are made by an anonymous committee, and funds may be used for:

Eviction prevention and emergency rent assistance
Prevention of utility shut-offs and emergency fuel assistance
Critical medical expenses or health-related emergency bills
Other documented financial emergencies that threaten household stability

Note: The fund does not provide cash directly to applicants. Approved payments are disbursed directly to the service provider, landlord, or utility company.

Eligibility and Requirements

Geographic Area: Open to official residents of Chester County as well as regular attendees of Christ Community Church (CCC).

Application Process: Neighbors in need must complete the official Christ Community Church Compassion Fund application. The form requires details regarding household income, specific amounts requested, and direct provider information.

Review Timeline: Due to the thorough evaluation process, applicants should allow 5 to 10 business days for the committee to process and review submitted applications.

Church Location and Context

Address: 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380

Inquiries: For questions regarding an application or specific guidelines, you may email the care ministry team directly at compassion@visitccc.com.

The Salvation Army – West Chester Corps

The Salvation Army – West Chester Corps is a faith-based human services agency that is vital to the community, offering comprehensive social services, emergency crisis funding, and hunger relief to individuals and families throughout the greater West Chester area.

Assistance Programs and Services

The West Chester Corps manages several targeted aid initiatives designed to stabilize households facing immediate financial hardship:

Choice Food Pantry: Provides staple foods, fresh produce, and non-perishable items directly to local residents facing food insecurity.

Utility Assistance: Uses Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds to provide financial support for overdue electricity, gas, water, and heating fuel bills, helping to prevent immediate service disconnection.

Rental Assistance: Offers emergency funds to eligible residents to prevent evictions and stabilize housing security.

Voucher Programs: Distributes vouchers for basic needs—such as free seasonal clothing and essential prescription medications—based on verified financial need.

Vision Care Program: Partners with the West Chester Lions Club and Chester County Opticians to provide corrective eyewear to clients for a small $5 copay.

Railton House: A Single Room Occupancy (SRO) supportive housing program that serves as a transitional bridge to independent living for men who have completed recovery programs.

Seasonal and holiday donations: Organizes the annual “Angel Tree” program to distribute Christmas gifts, toys, and winter coats to local children.

Eligibility requirements and service guidelines

Geographic boundaries: Financial assistance (rent or utility subsidies) and specific voucher-based services are reserved exclusively for households residing within the West Chester metropolitan area zip codes (19380, 19381, 19382, and 19383).

Application requirement: Financial and voucher assistance is handled by appointment only. Walk-in service is generally limited to emergency food distribution. Applicants must present photo identification and proof of residency or proof of crisis situation.

Food pantry location and hours

Main address: 101 East Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382

General office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Food pantry distribution hours:

Tuesdays: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Neighborhood Services Center

The Oxford Neighborhood Services Center (NSC) operates as a centralized social services hub offering assistance for critical basic needs, emergency financial aid, and case management to low-income individuals and families in southwestern Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Assistance programs and services

Emergency financial assistance: Makes direct payments to providers on behalf of clients who meet income eligibility requirements following an initial assessment. Funds are used to assist with housing payments (rent or mortgage), utilities (electricity, water, heating), and medical care.

Food assistance and pantry: Operates a food pantry program providing non-perishables, fresh food, diapers, infant formula, hygiene items, and household essentials to local families.

Critical case management for the homeless: Offers an intensive 30-to-60-day case management program designed to guide homeless individuals toward stable, long-term housing solutions and recovery resources.

Crisis counseling and support: Provides trauma-informed crisis counseling, domestic violence safety planning, and family stabilization support.

System navigation and guidance: Connects clients with a broad network of health and social service partner organizations throughout Chester County for employment, medical, and legal assistance.

Requirements and guidelines

Primary service area: Direct financial assistance and core programs generally prioritize residents of the Oxford Area and Avon Grove school districts.

Food bank access: Available to families and individuals in the greater Oxford community facing food insecurity.

Required documentation: Depending on the specific funding source or the assistance requested, applicants are typically asked to submit an intake form along with proof of the crisis situation (e.g., a utility shut-off notice, landlord eviction letter, medical bill, or photo ID).

Location & Contact Information

Address: 35 North 3rd Street, Oxford, PA 19363

Email: nsc35@oxfordnsc.org