Saint Katharine Drexel Food Pantry

Saint Katharine Drexel Food Pantry is an outreach ministry of our parish, operating out of the Catholic Social Services building in Chester, PA. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we open our doors every Tuesday and Thursday to any local resident in need — regardless of religious affiliation or belief. No one is ever turned away.

Each visit, we distribute pantry staples, fresh produce, and perishable items to nourish individuals in our neighborhood. We strive to keep our shelves well-stocked. Alongside groceries, we provide donated feminine hygiene products — a small but meaningful gesture that honors the dignity every person deserves. In this way, our work embodies the spirit of Katharine Drexel herself, whose life was devoted to justice for the poor and oppressed.  

We are especially committed to serving Chester's Hispanic community. We value the importance of keeping a bilingual staff member, which allows us to assist the local Hispanic community with deserved dignity. Valoramos la importancia de financiar a un miembro del personal bilingüe que nos permita también ayudar a la comunidad hispana local con la dignidad merecida.  Language should never be a barrier to receiving help. 

The need in our community is both urgent and ongoing. According to Data USA, 30.8% of Chester residents live below the poverty line — more than twice the national average of 12.4%. Which demonstrates the need is great and role of our food pantry essential!

 The team is called to assist local families by providing groceries to over 3,000 individuals each quarter. Saint Katharine Drexel Food Pantry distributed an ASTOUNDING total of 182,889.5 pounds of groceries in 2025 to 3,697 households;  14,198 family members.  

Currently, we assist families primarily in zip code 19013 - Chester,
PA. Plus families in neighboring zip codes of: 19015 – Upland & Brookhaven | 19061 - Marcus Hook and Linwood | 19022 – Eddystone. Every visitor must sign in and show proof of local residency per Philabundance guidelines.

Included among our registered residents/families are homeless individuals, those living in boarding houses and ex-offenders in half-way houses trying to get back on track. Plus a number of seniors who are raising their grandchildren, which allows us to provide for those young children and teenagers.
It is our purpose to provide the basic needs to help make people's lives more livable while providing hope towards improving their
circumstances. 

We don't want our brothers and sisters remaining in poverty or marginalized.  Our pantry works to remove barriers toward self-sustainability and self-improvement.  With food in the home and support from the community; hope is gradually restored, and confidence reignited.

Some days we have plenty to share, other days the shelves and refrigerators are in need of restocking.  
God's providence is very visible through the goodness and generosity of parishes, groups, schools, markets, businesses, and individuals like you.   Our dedicated volunteers, philanthropic supporters, charitable donors and loyal contributors enable us to provide a living and active witness to the local community we serve. Many Thanks for your generosity! 

"If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them.  Let us open wide our hearts.  It is joy which invites us.  Press forward and fear nothing."  ~Katharine Drexel