The mission of Berks Encore is to provide services, programs and referrals that engage, inform, educate advocate for older Berks Countians.

Description:
Our Meals on Wheels and Senior Center program provides older adults with nourishment and opportunities for socializing, learning, and entertainment. In addition, the program has provided a format designed for comfort and companionship along with a sense of fun and belonging to all its participants.
Volunteers play a large role in providing this service.
Our volunteers deliver meals to homebound seniors who can no longer cook for themselves, but who want to continue to live in their own homes. Volunteers in our Senior Centers, pack meals for home delivery, assist with income tax preparation during the tax season, answer the APPRISE hotline, lead group activities, assist with programs, present informal travelogues, speak on interesting and educational subjects and assist in providing entertainment.

History:
Our Meals on Wheels and Senior Center program had its beginnings in the 1940's when war was raging in Great Britain. The Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense saw a need to help displaced families whose homes had been bombed. They began by bringing meals to the homeless and canteens of refreshment to the soldiers in the field. After the war, two women in Philadelphia saw the same need among the elderly in this country. They started with seven people on a route. In 1954, the official delivered meal program began at Philadelphia's Lighthouse Community Center. The program has since expanded to other regions of the country. Today, our program in Berks County has 8 Senior Centers and approximately 900 meals being served daily. Over 825 volunteers help to accomplish this task each day.

Contact people:

Pam Blumer, Director Of Volunteers, (610) 374-3195 ext. 223, (email) LuAnn Oatman, President, (610) 374-3195, (email)

Office fax number: (610) 374-3483

Address:

Berks Encore, 40 North 9th St. Reading, PA 19601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.BerksEncorePA.org

Directions:

We have 8 centers in which our volunteers work and multiple Meals on Wheels routes throughout Berks County. The Northeastern Center is located at 240 W. Walnut Street in Kutztown next to St. John's UCC. The Southeastern Center is located. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Barta Bus service at a variety of locations, 5 minute walk