How To Suppport Lower Merion, Narberth Neighbors As SNAP Suspension Looms

LOWER MERION-NARBERTH, PA — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is about to be suspended amid the federal government shutdown.

Roughly one in eight Americans use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase groceries.

With the program's suspension looming on Saturday, many Lower Merion- and Narberth-area residents may be wondering how they can help their hungry neighbors.

The Ardmore Food Pantry at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ardmore accepts food donations 24 hours a day, seven days a week drop-off bin located along the church driveway at 36 Ardmore Ave.

Items needed include:

• cereal
• pasta sauce
• pasta
• hearty soup
• peanut butter
• tuna
• ground coffee

Monetary donations can be made by mailing checks to Ardmore Food Pantry, 36 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003 or online here. Checks can also be dropped off at the church office from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Additionally, the pantry accepts gift cards for Acme, Giant, and Trader Joe's. Drop off hours are the same as above.

Residents can also donate excess produce from their gardens. Fresh vegetables can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays in the St. Mary's Episcopal Church parish hall.

Food is distributed on Mondays between 10:45 a.m. and noon and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parish hall. A simple hot dinner is also served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Contact the food pantry with questions at foodpantry@stmarysardmore.org, or call 610-649-1486 and press 4.

The Mitzvah Food Program operates in Bala Cynwyd and offers food distribution from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center, 345 Montgomery Ave. in Bala Cynwyd.

Those who wish to donate to this program must call 215-832-0815 before donating.

Support can also be shown by purchasing items on the program's Amazon wish list. When making a wish list purchase, select MFP Gift Registry Address as the shipping destination.

Monetary donations can also be made online here.

For more information, call 215-832-0815 or 215-832-0627.

The Narberth Community Food Bank accepts donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 201 Sabine Ave. in Narberth.

Items sought are:

• Canned Tuna
• Canned chicken
• Coffee
• Tea
• Cold Cereal
• Old fashion oats
• Pancake mix
• Pancake syrup
• Granola bars
• Sugar
• Flour
• Tomato Sauce
• Gluten free canned chili
• Gluten free pasta and sauce
• Gluten free crackers
• Canned chili
• Vegetarian meal pouches- chickpea, Tikka Masala,
• Shelf stable milk -all types
• Nut butters -all types
• Jelly – Grape or strawberry
• Dole Fruit Cups
• Beans- all types
• Cat food
• Kitty Litter
• Dog food

Items not accepted are:

• Furniture
• Dishware
• Bedding
• Ramen noodles or instant soup packs
• Matzoh
• GoGo Squeez apple snacks
• Apple Sauce
• Alcoholic beverages
• Products which have been opened
• Items with expired dates
• Medication

Other items sought at the food pantry are:

• Scotch tape
• Garbage Bags (all sizes)
• Simple Green cleaning spray
• Printer Paper
• Ink for HP 9020 Inkjet Printer (Color and Black)
• Push Pins
• Stables
• Dry Erase Markers
• Chalk
• Rubber Bands
• Post-it Notes

Monetary donations can be made online here.

Please do not leave donations at the food bank other than these times unless specific arrangements are made by contacting our staff. Thank you.

Food and essential items are available for pickup from 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

Contact Narberth Community Food Bank at 484-754 6404 or narberthcommunityfoodbank@gmail.com.

And, the Ada Mutch Community Resource Center at ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narberth is accepting the following items for distribution:

• Canned and jarred fruit
• Canned meat: tuna, salmon, chicken, Spam
• Shelf stable drinks: milk, juice, coffee, tea
• Spaghetti sauce and canned tomatoes
• Cereal and Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Meals-in-a-Can: Ravioli, Chili, Stew, Pork n Beans
• Gluten free and low-sodium items
• Rice and other grains
• Mac and Cheese
• Soups all types: meaty, vegetarian, broths
• Condiments: oil, ketchup, dressings, etc.
• Paper towel and tissues
• Incontinence Aids: bed pads, adult diapers
• Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene items

Donations can be dropped off at the food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to these hours, donations can be dropped off at ElderNet’s main office, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Bryn Mawr, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Food donations for our pantry can also be dropped off at the following locations:

• Bryn Mawr Hospital Cafeteria — 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr
• Lower Merion Township Building Main Lobby — 75 Lancaster Ave., Ardmore
• Ludington Library’s Reading Porch — 5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr

Items can also be purchased to support their efforts via an Amazon wish list online here.

Food is distributed from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Proof of residency in Lower Merion or Narberth is needed each year, as your situation changes, or upon request as required to update our records. Additionally, if claiming dependents under the age of 18, updated copies of each child’s report card are required.

Contact the center at 610-527-7776 with questions.

ElderNet Lower Merion and Narberth is located at 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Bryn Mawr.