Affirming Resources

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Local Businesses

Healthcare

Physical Health

Mental Health

Substance Abuse

  • Support and Referral Helpline: The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
    • (OMHSAS) has partnered with the Center for Community Resources to offer a 24/7 mental health and crisis support line for people dealing with anxiety or other difficult emotions. Callers will be able to speak with staff who are trained in trauma-informed principles and will listen, assess the person’s needs, triage, and refer to other local supports and professionals as needed.
      • The Support & Referral Helpline can be reached toll-free, 24/7 at 1-855-284-2494 (TTY: 724-631-5600).
  • The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Get Help Now Helpline, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations for individuals with a substance use disorder or their loved ones. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
    • 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889
  • RainbowRecoveryDharma
  • LGBTQ+ Alcoholism Resource Guide

Affirming Faith Services

Trans* Specific Resources

Resources for Parents of LGBTQ+ Children

Community Resources

General

Insurance

Food

  • SNAP Benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps)
    • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Pennsylvanians buy food. People in eligible low-income households can use SNAP to increase their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets. Those who are eligible receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to make food purchases. If you’re experiencing an emergency, SNAP applications can be expedited to five days.
      • Experiencing a food emergency and need food right away? Help is available. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ website at www.dhs.pa.gov, or by calling the Department of Human Services’ Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.
      • People who live in Philadelphia should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226.
  • 2-1-1 United Way of Pennsylvania Food Assistance
    • The United Way offers a variety of resources via 2-1-1. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist, or visit www.uwp.org/211gethelp/ to browse resources in your community.

PA Food Banks and Pantries

  • There are several food pantries across the commonwealth. Please contact your area food bank to find assistance in your community.
    • Westmoreland County Food Bank
      • 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626
      • 724-468-8660
    • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
      • 1 North Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110
      • 412-460-3663
    • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania
      • 1507 Grimm Drive, Erie, PA 16501
      • 814-459-3663
    • Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
      • 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
      • 717-564-1700
    • Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NE Pennsylvania
      • 6969 Silver Crest Road, Nazareth, PA 18064
      • 610-434-0875
    • Philabundance
      • 3616 South Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
      • 215-339-0900
    • H & J Weinberg NE PA Regional Food Bank
      • 185 Research Drive, Pittston, PA 18640
      • 570-908-2222
    • Helping Harvest
      • 117 Morgan Drive, Reading, PA 19608
      • 610-926-5802
    • Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County
      • 109 South Sharpsville Avenue, Suite A, Sharon, PA 16146 
      • 724-981-0353

Meals for Senior Citizens

  • ElderShare & Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
    • Low-income, eligible seniors can receive a box of nutritious food monthly from local distribution sites through the ElderShare & Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). For information about meal programs in your area, please contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). To find your AAA, please visit www.aging.pa.gov 
  • Meals on Wheels
    • Several nonprofits and community organizations across Pennsylvania are affiliated with Meals on Wheels, which offers meals to home-bound older persons. For more information contact your local Meals on Wheels provider or AAA.

Free Breakfast

  • Monday-Friday: Anchorage Breakfast (29 E. Walnut St.) is offering a carry-out breakfast between 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Optional lunch sandwiches available.
  • Saturday: Breakfast 9-10:30am. Lancaster Moravian Church, 227 N. Queen St.
  • Sunday: Breakfast 8 to 8:45 a.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke St.

Free Lunch

  • Monday-Saturday: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Spanish American Civic Association, 545 Pershing Ave. (Bagged meal includes lunch and dinner.)
  • Monday-Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 929 N. Duke St.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. City Gate, 218 N. Duke St.
  • Arch Street Center (629 N. Market St.) is offering carry-out meals to their members daily around noon.
  • In a press release, the Crispus Attucks Community Center announced that they are providing free grab and go lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-12pm. Photo ID required.

Free Supper

  • Monday-Saturday: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Spanish American Civic Association, 545 Pershing Ave. (Bagged meal includes lunch and dinner.)
  • Monday-Friday: Rebel Cause Lancaster offers a free community meal 6-7pm @ St. Mary’s and bagged lunches for over the weekend, no questions asked.
    • Please use the entrance on the right side parking area that is accessible from the driveway in front of the building. 
    • If you can’t make it to St. Mary’s at 6, message their FB page to set up and alternate pickup time/location.
  • Monday: 5:30 to 6 p.m. East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, 432 E. Chestnut St.
  • Tuesday: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Lancaster Moravian Church, 227 N. Queen St.
  • Wednesday: 5:30 to 6 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St.
  • Thursday: 5:30 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 500 Pearl St.
  • Friday: 5:30 p.m. St Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S. Prince St.
  • Sunday: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St.

Clothing

Housing

HEART (Homelessness Emergency Assistance & Response Team)

  • HEART works with persons experiencing homelessness on the streets to help them access safe and inclusive housing, and mitigate their vulnerability to COVID-19 by providing PPE, hand sanitizer and resources. HEART also offers a warm-handoff service to housing and medical services to provide emotional support for program participants. To further ensure resource providers are capable of providing culturally competent services, we provide cultural competency training to community stakeholders and potential partners around serving the LGBTQ+ population.

Employment