557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037

info@swbfoodcupboard.org

(724) 453-4184

About Us

Southwest Butler Food Cupboard has been assisting one family at a time with nutritious meal donations

On September 1, 1983, the Southwest Butler Food Cupboard opened its doors. It was begun as a "Christian Outreach Project” of the Calvin United Presbyterian, Grace Reformed, Park United Presbyterian and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

 

Initially food was provided on an as-needed basis. As a regular client base developed, service expanded to a regularly scheduled monthly distribution.

 

Each family is provided with non-perishables, meats, dairy items, baked goods, prepared foods, and non-food items that come from locally donated food and the State. We are designed to be supplemental, and strive to provide households with at least seven to ten days of food.

Support for the SWBFC has grown to include many area churches, civic organizations and private individuals. The following churches comprise the current Board of Directors along with one community representative, from Zelienople and one from Harmony.:

  • Calvin United Presbyterian Church
  • English Lutheran Church
  • Grace Church of Harmony
  • Harmony - Zelienople United Methodist Church
  • Park United Presbyterian Church
  • St. Gregory Catholic Church
  • St. Paul Lutheran Church
  • St. Peter’s Reformed Church
  • Zion Lutheran Church

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With your generous support Southwest Butler Food Cupboard will continue to feed those in desperate need of a good meal.

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When the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard opened 14 years ago at Zion Lutheran Church, many believed it would be a temporary project.

While local unemployment soared during the 1980w economic downturn, some people needed help stretching the food budget.

Despite better economic times, the Harmony-Zelienople community, supplying supplemental food to an average of 40 families each month.

And now, the cupboard occupies a new addition to Zion Church. The building was dedicated Sept. 14 during a worship service and reception.

The 20x30 foot structure was financed by donations from the Zelienople Rotary Club, local businesses and individuals.

“When we made this last commitment, which is a pretty permanent commitment, people wondered if wed always have hungry people to serve.” Said Zion Pastor Margaret Suhr-Barkley, who chairs the cupboard board of directors. “I remind people that Christ said to feed the hungry among us.”

The number served has remained fairly steady over the years, she said. In winter, the numbers increase. “I think it’s because people get laid off from their jobs and don’t have summer produce from gardens."

“I think the response we’ve been able to get is wonderful. Two years ago at Thanksgiving we started saying ‘We’ve outgrown the space: what are we going to do? And now, we have this addition.”

“Our local Rotary was the springboard to make this happen. They made a commitment to the building. They contributed at least half of the cost.

“This is the third movement of the food cupboard.” Rev. Suhr-Barkley said. “It originally was upstairs in a small room then was moved downstairs to a larger closet in the basement.”

The new quarters are convenient, opening into the ground level fellowship hall where food bags are packed.

She said the pantry opened on Sept. 1, 1983, as a Christian outreach program of three churches, Calvin United Presbyterian in Zelienople, Grace Church of Harmony and Zion Lutheran.

“My predecessor, the previous pastor, knew there was a family need from the congregation and asked Donna Hall to start a place here for anybody in the community. And that started the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard.”

She said the new building, erected by Bennett and Hall Construction, is debt-free. A volunteer crew painted the interior, installed shelves and moved supplies from the basement into the new quarters.

Volunteers from local churches organized by food cupboard director Jolene Witt, pack and distribute groceries to eligible area residents once monthly.

Some people have found others ways to help, the pastor said. “We just had a couple who celebrated their 50th anniversary and told people to make donations in money or canned goods to the food cupboard (in lieu of gifts).”

The food cupboard board of directors includes representatives from eight churches, Zion, Calvin, Park United Methodist, St. Peter’s Reformed and English Lutheran.

Food donations can be deposited at area churches. Monetary contributions can be sent to: Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard, Zion Lutheran Church. 557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037.

When the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard opened 14 years ago at Zion Lutheran Church, many believed it would be a temporary project.

While local unemployment soared during the 1980w economic downturn, some people needed help stretching the food budget.

Despite better economic times, the Harmony-Zelienople community, supplying supplemental food to an average of 40 families each month.

And now, the cupboard occupies a new addition to Zion Church. The building was dedicated Sept. 14 during a worship service and reception.

The 20x30 foot structure was financed by donations from the Zelienople Rotary Club, local businesses and individuals.

“When we made this last commitment, which is a pretty permanent commitment, people wondered if wed always have hungry people to serve.” Said Zion Pastor Margaret Suhr-Barkley, who chairs the cupboard board of directors. “I remind people that Christ said to feed the hungry among us.”

The number served has remained fairly steady over the years, she said. In winter, the numbers increase. “I think it’s because people get laid off from their jobs and don’t have summer produce from gardens."

“I think the response we’ve been able to get is wonderful. Two years ago at Thanksgiving we started saying ‘We’ve outgrown the space: what are we going to do? And now, we have this addition.”

“Our local Rotary was the springboard to make this happen. They made a commitment to the building. They contributed at least half of the cost.

“This is the third movement of the food cupboard.” Rev. Suhr-Barkley said. “It originally was upstairs in a small room then was moved downstairs to a larger closet in the basement.”

The new quarters are convenient, opening into the ground level fellowship hall where food bags are packed.

She said the pantry opened on Sept. 1, 1983, as a Christian outreach program of three churches, Calvin United Presbyterian in Zelienople, Grace Church of Harmony and Zion Lutheran.

“My predecessor, the previous pastor, knew there was a family need from the congregation and asked Donna Hall to start a place here for anybody in the community. And that started the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard.”

She said the new building, erected by Bennett and Hall Construction, is debt-free. A volunteer crew painted the interior, installed shelves and moved supplies from the basement into the new quarters.

Volunteers from local churches organized by food cupboard director Jolene Witt, pack and distribute groceries to eligible area residents once monthly.

Some people have found others ways to help, the pastor said. “We just had a couple who celebrated their 50th anniversary and told people to make donations in money or canned goods to the food cupboard (in lieu of gifts).”

The food cupboard board of directors includes representatives from eight churches, Zion, Calvin, Park United Methodist, St. Peter’s Reformed and English Lutheran.

Food donations can be deposited at area churches. Monetary contributions can be sent to: Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard, Zion Lutheran Church. 557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037.