Market Club at Gordon Early Literacy Center targets food insecure families

COATESVILLE >> The Chester County Head Start and PreK Counts programs at the Gordon Early Literacy Center in Coatesville, PA are excited to announce the opening of The Market Club, a place where students’ families at the Gordon Early Literacy Center are able to “shop” at no cost for essential food and household items.

“There is a lot of research to indicate children who face hunger are more likely to struggle in school,” said Terry Kenworthy, Head Start Supervisor of Health and Family Services.

To help combat those struggles, this project, in partnership with Chester County Food Bank, was started to assist Gordon Early Literacy Center families in times of need. The Market Club will rely on supplemental community donations to meet the essentials for families and to keep the shelves stocked year-round. Families have the opportunity to visit once per month plus an additional two bonus times throughout the school year if food needs arise. Each family will have a punch card to keep track of their visits and to remind them that the service is available for them when needed.

An initial stock the shelves drive is currently being held to get the pantry ready for the October 24 grand opening. A full list of needed items to fill the pantry can be found at www. cciu.org/marketclub.

“When families are experiencing food insecurity they are often faced with impossible trade-offs. In order to put food on the table, families typically sacrifice other basic needs,” Kenworthy explained. “With that in mind, we have been working with the Chester County Food Bank to determine the best way we can serve families and children. The Market Club will be a great way to do that.”

In addition to giving families access to food and other essentials, The Market Club will also provide families access to computers and the Internet through partnerships with local community service agencies, which will allow families without Internet access at home to complete any necessary tasks online such as applying to jobs or paying bills.

Community members and businesses that are interested in helping but want an alternate way to contribute are encouraged to donate gift cards, monetary donations or shop the Amazon wish lists online at www.cciu.org/marketclubwishlist. There are three categorical wish lists for donors to shop from that include items to prepare meals, necessary baby products and household essentials.

The Market Club is eager to partner with local businesses who wish to help families in the community. Donations can be dropped off at the Gordon Early Literacy Center located at 351 Kersey Street in Coatesville on Wednesdays between 9:00 a.m. and noon. To arrange an alternate drop off time, or for more information on partnering with The Market Club, please call 610-383-3800.

Photo Caption 1: Chester County Head Start and Pre-K Counts programs at the Gordon Early Literacy Center are excited to announce the opening of The Market Club, a place where students’ families are able to “shop” at no cost for essential food and household items.

The Gordon Early Literacy Center houses the Chester County Head Start and Pre-K Counts programs which promote school readiness of economically disadvantaged children ages 3-to-5 years by supporting children’s growth and development in a positive learning environment through a variety of services including access to high-quality preschool education and health and family well-being services.