Thank you for supporting “Crust for a Cause”, an ACT in Faith Sample Local event.  Sample Local events raise money for our mission to prove empowering support to the un- and under- employed and at the same time, support local businesses.
  • Click the button below to purchase your $25
“Crust Card”
  • Take your “Crust Card” to each of the participating eatery listed below and present to your wait staff. 

  • Your wait staff will deduct $5 off your purchases of $10 or more, and they will mark you card to indicate that you’ve redeemed your discount.

  • If you purchase more than 1 Crust Card you may only redeem one $5 discount per purchase.
  • Crust Cards are valid
 October 8 – November 19,2023.

The word “Spring” has many meaning but one is particularly fitting to describe this period in ACT in Faith’s journey: a time or season of growth or development.
From serving 370 unduplicated households (Jan-May) to building relationships with community partners…from exploring opportunities for new volunteers to preparing for our move to new space… Spring 2023 was truly a time of growth and development that you, our supporters, have made possible.  
The word “Summer” is a time of warmth and light…and slow steady growth.  And, true to the season, we have been continuing to serve more, and more people and progress towards our move have been slow….but steady.   

On May 21, members of Marshallton United Methodist Church's Youth Fellowship visited to assemble a new supply of Blessing Bags. We create these "essentials" bags and distribute to those who are unsheltered. Each bag contains personal care items, easy to open/eat snacks, resource information, and seasonally appropriate items such as hats, gloves, and sunscreen. Thank you to Youth Director, Sarah Billings and her youth team for completing this project and for staying a bit longer to help restock our shelves!
On May 10, a team from Keller Williams Greater West Chester swooped in and beautified the future staff/volunteer entrance to our new location at The Common Grounds, 10 W. Barnard Street. We, and our soon-to-be "roommates" at Parish Hall Kitchen and Trinity Treasures are extremely grateful for Laura Stafford and the KWGWC team!
On May 19, member of ACT in Faith's staff, volunteer team, and Board turned out in support of our partner, the Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary, and their annual Trivia Night event. Some of us worked the event...the rest of us completed. A great time was had by all but no, we did not win. 🙁
In preparation for our move, we're purchasing equipment that will better fit our new space and allow us to more efficiently operate Community Cupboard. Thank you to our volunteer "assemblers"...who we're sure experienced flashbacks to their days putting toys together at midnight on Christmas Eve.
A glimpse into our new home...a work in progress, but progress nonetheless!

So when are you moving? 

 Let’s answer this burning question that’s on everyone’s mind!  While we don’t know for sure, it looks like October could be a realistic projection.  

WHY are we moving?  Even before the pandemic, it had become evident hat we would need more space if we wanted to grow our mission. The challenges of COVID confirmed that thought, and now we look forward to being able to better serve the un- and under-employed of our community. 
WHERE are we going?Our new office will be at 10 W. Barnard Street, just a stone’s throw way from our current home. It’s so close, in fact, that our staff and volunteers will still be able to utilize the Holy Trinity parking lot.
WHAT does the larger space bring to our mission?
Larger space will provide:

  • A separate entrance for ACT in Faith 
  • Increased space for more volunteers
  • Increased privacy for those seeking our support 
  • More storage

Larger space will allow for program enhancement and growth such as:

  • Expansion of goods offered in our Community Cupboard
  • Computer station for client use
  • A dedicated “satellite” space for partner agencies to use when serving West Chester and homeless clients.  
  • Large group space for client trainings, meetings, and small events
  • More volunteers to assume a greater portion of the routine client support, enabling staff to dedicate their attention to helping people with system and resource navigation, employment support, and overall case management

But wait there’s more!

Will will have “roommates!” 
Our partners at Parish Hall Kitchen will be joining with a new venture of their own and, the much-loved Holy Trinity Thrift Store (a.k.a. Catacomb Closet) will be moving into this space as well.  ACT in Faith already partners with both organizations and we look forward to growing our partnership in our new shared space.

Lives You've changed

“Patricia” is a single mother of 3 whom we met in 2018 when she needed rental assistance due to an isolated setback.  Up until the pandemic, her income was adequate to pay her bills, with little to spare. In June 2020 she lost her job due to COVID and then struggled for many months to find income adequate to afford her very modest lifestyle.  
Over that time we were able to prevent her from being evicted on 2 occasions, help her keep her car on the road so she could get to work, keep her electric on, and ensure she had food and household essentials for her family.  
Just recently, “Patricia” finally secured a job that will soon allow her to pay her bills.
Your support afforded “Patricia” the gift of time – time to take whatever work she could find while looking for more adequate employment, while her family  remained sheltered and fed.  Without you, she and her children would most likely been evicted months ago.

When he came to us this year, “Jeb” was among the, too often, unseen homeless in our community.  He was unemployed, unsheltered, and had nothing.  We quickly referred him to 211, the County’s single point of entry for the shelter system and to the Human Services, Inc. street outreach team for case management in navigating other resources he needed.  

Along the way we have provided him with a photo ID, cell phone, PO Box, bus passes, clothing, groceries, and job search support.  We were also able to arrange for him to receive a much-needed eye exam and glasses.

Less than 2 months later, “Jeb” is safely sheltered, has a part time job while he continues to work with our staff to secure more gainful employment, and he can SEE! “Jeb” is overwhelmed and sincerely grateful for all of your support and he never misses an opportunity to share his appreciation.

We are only sad that you haven’t been here to personally witness “Jeb’s” transformation – once deflated, desperate, and lost, he is now engaged, optimistic, and once again believes in himself…and he can SEE!

Donor Impact: 2022

1
Households

Unduplicated households (925 adults & 465 children) received assistance.  

1
Employment support

436 requests for services that help obtain or maintain employment were filled – 31 of which were car repairs that prevented job loss.

1
Housing Stabilization

200  requests Housing Stabilization support were filled…preventing 57 evictions, 50 utility shut-offs, and assisted 24 household with security deposits so they could become housed.


dear diary...

Read actual stories about how our donors have changed lives.


Newsletter

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Ways You can Help


Volunteer

Share your time and energy providing services.


Community Cupboard

Stocked by the community for the community.


Employee Match

Grow your donation and make a bigger impact.


Greeting Cards

Donate in honor or memory of a loved one.


Annual Corporate Sponsorship

Partner with us to support the programs that change lives.


Amazon Smile

Your shopping dollar give back.

Thank YOU to our 2023 Partners

ACT in Faith Office Hours

SUPPORT APPOINTMENTS​ - COMMUNITY CUPBOARD
  • Monday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
  • Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
  •  

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Crust For a Cause

ACT in Faith serves the un- and under-employed in the West Chester zip codes. West Chester has a vast network of social service programs that offer vital help for specific needs..

For those who don’t know where to turn, ACT in Faith is an interfaith ministry that works to coordinate resources on behalf of our neighbors in need.

Our Advocates help you navigate the opportunities open to you by:

  • assessing need and urgency
  • identifying available services
  • listening and being a voice to advocate on your behalf
  • supplementing resources when possible

RECEIVE
HELP

Volunteer

Volunteers are at the heart of every non-profit and we couldn’t live without ours! Our volunteers are people from all walks of the community who have a passion for our mission and desire to build a stringer community. Our volunteers roles are: Client Advocate, Community Cupboard, Office Help, Event Support, and Committees. 
Contact us if you’d like to learn more.

VolunteersBanner

Community Cupboard

Our Community Cupboard is a source for personal care and house hold items such as shampoo, laundry detergent, toothpaste  trash bags and much more. We also provide non-government, non-perishable foods meant to supplement what people can afford with their income, receive via SNAP (food stamps), or obtain from the West Chester Food Cupboard or Salvation Army.  Prepared meals are also made available thanks to our partners at Parish Hall Kitchen. During these days of COBID-19, we have grown our food stock and have been able to provide frozen meats and eggs.

Employee Match

Your ACT in Faith donation may be eligible for your employer’s charitable gift-matching programs. We are already registered with BNY Mellon, Boeing, Catalent, Excelon, GE, Johnson & Johnson, J.P. Morgan Chase, QVC, and Vanguard’s matched giving programs but welcome the opportunity to register with any matching employer.

Greeting Cards

Need gift ideas? Birthday, Anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or another occasion? Consider a Gift Donation Greeting Card to honor your loved one. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Visit our order form and choose from 4 different designs. 
2. Make your donation to ACT in Faith via our online shop. ($10 Minimum)
3. Receive the greeting card from us for you to personalize and give to the celebrant.

Order your cards now!

CardBanner

Annual Corporate Sponsor

Our corporate community partners share our belief that by working together we will build a stronger community. These partnerships help us form the relationships that allow us to grow our mission and strengthen the fabric of our community. We offer a variety of sponsorship levels, each with a variety of ways in which we will acknowledge the sponsor, not just at one event, but all throughout the year. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of Annual Corporate Sponsorship you can click here to review this year’s sponsorship levels and then click here to connect us.

2020 Annual Sponsorship Chart

Amazon Smile

When you shop at AmazonSmile (virtually the same product selection as Amazon) Amazon will donate .5% of your purchase to ACT In Faith. Simply select ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester as the charitable organization that you would like to support and shop, shop, shop!.