Category: Blog

With the potential changes to SNAP Benefits on Nov. 1, this may be a difficult time for you or those you care about. We are sharing a list of free Pantry Boxes in our area to support those who may need assistance:

Food Pantries

• 816 W 8th Street

• 606 E 38th Street Lamb of God

• 945 E 5th Street

• 953 Hess Ave (off of 10th Street)

• 2813 Raspberry Street

• E 23rd and Reed at the Trinity Church

• 314 E 11th Street

• 329 E 28th Street

• 509 E 26th and Wallace at St. John’s

• German and E 9th St (parking lot)

• 4749 McMillan Drive at FlightPath Fellowship

• Cascade Street between 23rd and 24th

• Powell Ave between 10th and 12th

• Lawrence Park United Methodist Church

• Platea Fire Company Hall on Route 18

• N Main Street in McKean in front of Trinity Church

• Monroe and Maple Street on Lakeside by the Edinboro Albion Library

• 323 Cherry Street in Waterford

• Butch’s Diner on Vine Street in North East

• *There was previously a blessing box at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church but Second Harvest Food Bank is actually sponsoring a Food Pantry there now*

Food Banks in Erie

• Community of Caring (245 E 8th St)

-Provide free meals Monday-Friday noon to 1pm

• Community of Caring Food Bank (245 E 8th St)

-Last name beginning A-L: Wednesday from 11am-1pm

-Last name beginning M-Z: Friday 11am-1pm

-Diabetic Food Bank: Tuesday from 11am-12pm

• Emmaus Food Pantry (218 E 11th St)

-Open every Monday and Tuesday from 9am-11am & 4-5:30pm

• Erie Center City Outreach Food Bank (538 E 10th St)

-Contact Darlene at 10th St United Methodist Church. (814-459-3131), Photo ID and proof of residency required, Must live on East Side between Bayfront Parkway and 26th St. and between French and East Ave

-Food pantry open every 3rd Friday from 10:30am-1pm

• Erie City Mission (1017French St)

-Free lunches served Monday-Sunday 11:30am-12:30pm, Doors open at 11am

• Erie City Mission- Family Care Center Food Bank (1017 French St)

-Photo ID required

-Limit once per week

-Every Tuesday and Thursday 9am-2pm

-Clothing also available Tuesdays from 12:30pm-2pm and Thursdays 9am-10:30am

• GECAC Meals on Wheels (18 W 9th St)

-Preparation and Delivery of meals for aged people and people with disabilities

• Glenwood United Methodist Church (2931 Myrtle St)

-Food pantry open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6pm-7pm

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (643 W 17th St)

-Free meals Wednesday and Saturday at noon and Tuesdays at 5pm

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Food Bank (643 W 17th St)

-Photo ID and proof of residency required

-Must meet federal and state income guidelines

-Food pantry open every Tuesday from 6pm-8pm

-Martin Luther King Center Food Bank (312 Chestnut St)

-Contact Mrs. Pierson at extension 248 for the food pantry (814)-459-2761 extension 248

-Photo ID, social security card, proof of income, proof of name and address required

-Food pantry open every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10am-11:45am and 1pm-2:45pm

• Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels (201 State St), (814)-452-6930

• Salvation Army Food Bank (1022 Liberty St)

-Food pantry open the last two Mondays and Wednesdays of the month from 9:30am-11:30am and 12:30pm-2pm

• St. John’s Lutheran Church Food Bank (2216 Peach St)

-Photo ID and proof of income and residency required

-Food Pantry open every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 12:30pm-2pm

• St. Martin’s Center (1701 Parade St)

-Food pantry for emergency food access only

-Call and schedule appointment for food pantry

-(814)-452-6113

• St. Patrick’s Church Food Bank (130 E 4th St)

-Must register, (814)-454-8085

-Photo ID and proof of residence required

-Must live between Bayfront Parkway and 6th St

-Food Pantry is open every Tuesday from 11am-1pm

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry (134 W 7th St)

-Photo ID and proof of income and residency required

-Food pantry open every Friday from 9:30am-noon

• St. Paul’s R.C. Church (452 W 16th St)

-Free meals served at the Parish Center on 16th Street every Monday 4:15pm-5pm

• St. Peter’s Cathedral Food Bank (230 W 10th St)

-Food bank open every Wednesday from 9am-11am

Christian Cupboard in Girard is open the 1 and 3rd. Thursday of the month. Need to show proof of living in the Girard, Lake City area. the next handout is Nov. 6 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

You may also choose to apply for the Pennsylvania Emergency Food Assistance Program, which begins Nov. 1. Click here for more information and applications in multiple languages.

The YMCA of Greater Erie is inviting the community to its “Bingo Bash for Cash” fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 8., to support financial assistance scholarships for members and early learning families. 

Join the YMCA for 10 rounds of bingo, as well as basket and 50/50 raffles, at JPT Foundation Events Center & Bingo, 2319 W. 38^th St., Erie. The entry fee is $30, which includes the 10 games. Additional bingo sheets are available for purchase.

Attendees can bring their own food and drinks. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., and bingo starts at Noon.

Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Greater Erie’s 2025 Annual Campaign, which provides scholarships to children, families, and individuals seeking assistance. Through scholarships for early learning, memberships and program fees, all people — regardless of financial circumstance — can benefit from being part of the Y.

To register, stop by the Glenwood Park YMCA, call (814) 868-0867 Ext. 4255 or click here.

Fall is a season of change—and at the Y, it’s also a season of growth, wellness, and community connection. From family events and youth programs to fitness challenges and special YMCA360 offerings, there’s something for everyone this month!

🌟 Highlights include:
Family Fit Fun Day at Camp Sherwin (Oct. 11)
Weekly Fall Into Fitness challenges
Cooking with Kids, Yoga Fusion, and Silver Cardio
Awareness days that inspire us to take care of ourselves and each other

📅 Check out our full October calendar below to see how you can join in. Whether you’re looking to get moving, spend time with family, or simply connect with your community—you’ll find it here at the Y.

🍂 September is here — and so are plenty of ways to connect, move, and celebrate with the Y!

🌟 Community Events
• Waterford Fair
• Barber Beast on the Bay (last year!)
• Albion Fair
• North East Wine Fest
• AHA-Erie Heart Walk (Sept. 5 @ Liberty Park – 4:30 PM opens, 5:30 PM walk begins)

💪 YMCA360 Highlights
• Kids Fit: Bedtime Stretches
• Motivational Minutes: High Performers vs. Low Performers
• Silver Cardio & Yoga Fusion
• Cooking with Kids: Tie Dye Donuts

☕ Plus, fun national days to celebrate: Grandparents Day, Daughters Day, Coffee Day & more!

✨ “September is the month to embrace change.” Let’s do it together at the Y!

The YMCA and Montessori Regional Charter School announced a new partnership to provide aquatics opportunities in Millcreek Township. The Y will manage programs and community rentals at the pool complex on the MRCS Campus, 2549 W. 8th St.

“MRCS has been steadily renovating our swimming pool with a vision to create something meaningful for the greater Erie community. We are proud to announce a partnership with the YMCA that brings this vision to life. We have the facility, and they bring the expertise in swim instruction and programming. Together, this collaboration is more than just a shared resource — it’s a wonderful opportunity to strengthen community wellness, safety, and connection across the region,” says Mark Zielinski, CEO at Montessori Regional Charter School.

“At the YMCA, we believe every child should have the chance to learn to swim and be safe around water. Partnering with Montessori allows us to bring that mission to more families in a new and exciting location here in Millcreek,” says Jim McEldowney, CEO at the YMCA of Greater Erie.

In addition to rentals for meets, birthday parties, practices and trainings, the Y plans to host youth swim lessons at the location as part of its seasonal programming.

To inquire about facility rentals and availability, contact the YMCA via email at [email protected]. To see photos and learn more, visit the new webpage here.

Erie Gives Day is Tuesday, Aug. 12! Please support the YMCA’s Annual Campaign as we raise funds for scholarships for early learning, memberships and program fees. Your gift gives deserving families, children, seniors and individuals the opportunity to benefit from the Y’s life-changing programs.

Here’s how to make a gift on Erie Gives Day!

Online

1. Visit ErieGives.org on August 12th starting at midnight! The Y’s direct page is https://www.eriegives.org/organizations/ymca-of-greater-erie
2. Credit cards accepted: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa
3. Minimum donation = $25
4. PLEASE NOTE: You will only be able to donate to 10 nonprofits at a time if you are giving online. You will need to complete multiple transactions .

By Phone

1. Call The Erie Community Foundation at 814.454.0843 between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on August 12th
2. Minimum donation = $25
3. PLEASE NOTE: You can only donate to 10 nonprofits at a time if you aregiving by phone. Our staff will need to complete multiple transactions.

In Person

1. Bring your check & completed Check Form to The Erie Community Foundation between June 17th and August 5th.
2. Write a single check payable to “The Erie Community Foundation,” and we will distribute your gift(s) to your selected nonprofit(s)

By Mail

1. Complete our Check Form
2. Mail your check to The Erie Community Foundation at 459 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16507 between June 17th and August 5th
3. Write a single check payable to “The Erie Community Foundation,” and we will distribute your gift(s) to your selected nonprofit(s)

Gift of Stock or IRA

1. Consult your advisor and initiate your stock transfer or IRA distribution to The Erie Community Foundation by Monday, August 11th.
2. Complete a Check Form
3. Mail check and completed Check Form to The Erie Community Foundation
4. Stock transfers or IRA distributions should match the amount on your Check Form

For a full list of resources, check out the Erie Community Foundation’s Erie Gives FAQ Page.

Your feedback, suggestions and insight are key drivers for our YMCA — we are stronger when your input guides our priorities. That’s why we are excited to introduce Listen 360, a survey platform that will help you share your voice directly with Y leadership.

Throughout the year, members, as well as non-member program participants, campers, and childcare families, may receive a 2-question survey about their recent experience via text or email (from [email protected]). The surveys will use a simple rating system and will be easy to complete.

So please tell us what you think. Your feedback will help guide future programs, classes, equipment and renovations, as well as overall atmosphere and environment at our locations.

If you do choose to opt-out, you can do so through the first message you receive. But we encourage you to stay engaged and help us create the best Y experience for our community.

It seems like such a quick moment to respond to a text, answer a work email or make a quick grocery list, but quick actions can quickly become major distractions. And distractions around the water can have major consequences. In fact, 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present.

“People think they’ll hear someone if they’re struggling in the water, because that’s what we see in tv and movies,” says Kelly Austin, Aquatics Director. “In actuality, drowning is silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. When we’re looking at our phones, we don’t see what’s happening around us.”

The YMCA has launched a water safety campaign-Phones Down, Eyes Up™, in order to draw at­tention to this safety issue and encourage parents and caregivers to put phones and tablets away when monitoring children in and around the water. The YMCA of Greater Erie is asking families to visit PhonesDownEyesUp.org to take the water safety pledge, indicating you will put away your phones when around the water this summer. Families who take the pledge will also have access to educa­tional tools, including a reminder wallpaper for their phones, monthly newsletters with water safety tips, and downloadable lanyards to signify their role as Water Watchers.

“At the YMCA of Greater Erie, we encourage adults to designate a Water Watcher when children are in or near the water,” explains Austin. Water Watchers are adults whose role is to watch the water­ undistracted by phones, books, conversations or alcohol. “We know how easily distractions can happen around water, but just one moment of inattention can have serious consequences. The Y is committed to empowering families with the tools and information they need to stay safe around water.”

To learn more, visit phonesdowneyesup.org.