Hand-UP Grocery Pantry
The goal of the Hand UP Grocery Pantry is to serve neighbors of Northern Lancaster County who experience hunger and food insecurity by providing a nutritious and diverse pantry.
It is our desire at Ephrata Area Social Services to treat everyone who walks through our doors with dignity and respect. Our families need the freedom and empowerment to make their own choices. We offer a broad range of food options to support the diverse population of Northern Lancaster County. We are proud to offer gluten free, dairy free, meatless, low sodium, sugar-free, and halal chicken to meet everyone’s dietary needs.
To that end, we have created a one-stop shopping experience for families to access food, clothing and household supplies. Every 14 days (2x per month), families can schedule their 30-minute appointments.
We offer a client-choice pantry, meaning that families will “shop” the food pantry using a grocery cart and make the selections on their own based on what they know their family will use. EASS is a supplemental food bank, meaning that the number of items chosen are meant to last 4-5 days.
Donations of non-perishable items can be made Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Current Needs:
Spaghetti sauce, pasta noodles, gluten free items, beef stew, spam, syrup, sugar-free syrup, jelly, peanut butter, oatmeal, canned veggies
We have plenty of green beans, tuna, and spaghetti noodles
The food pantry is 100% stocked and monitored by volunteers.
Food Bank
- Schedule your 30-minute appointment in advance; schedule every 30 days or as needed.
- Upon arrival, you may be asked to declare (circle) your income level. This is only done 1x a year and no proof of income is required.*
- In the Food pantry, a volunteer will hand out a card indicating the number of items allowed depending on the size of your family.
- If you need clothing or household supplies, feel free to discuss your need with a volunteer to be linked with a community partner.
- Select the items you want. A friendly volunteer will be present to help bag and answer any questions.
*The link below provides access to the USDA Program Discrimination form, should clients feel that they have been discriminated against while utilizing the Food Bank.
Complaint Form (English)* Complaint Form (Español)
Learn more about another of
EASS’ food services: Meals on Wheels
Clothing Bank
The Clothing Bank is accessible during a visit to the Food Bank. Clothing ranging from infants to seniors, male and female, is available. Shoes, hats, gloves, linens and other supplies are also available for selection. If a family cannot find what they need or we do not have what is needed, please let the volunteer or staff member know. We may have additional items stored in the warehouse. Gift cards may be available for use at MCC’s Reuzit Store or Walmart.
Clothing, shoes, socks and small household items can be donated Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please do not donate furniture, dirty items or items that are broken, torn or stained.
Non-Discrimination Statement (English)
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.